“The Future of Story” National Event on July 31st at Playwright Center
Screenwriters Workshop is teaming up with Michael Wiese Productions to offer a spectacular social hour with 9 nationally renowned panelists—including Minnesota’s own Tom Pope. The event will take place at Playwright Center on Wednesday, July 31st, 2019. We’ll kick off the evening with a meet and greet at 6:30 PM followed by the panel discussion from 7:00-9:00 PM. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for non-members on sale at Eventbrite.
The Educational Programs Committee is coordinating a panel discussion on the second night of the conference entitled, “The Future of Story.” This will include Minnesota’s own screenwriting guru Tom Pope. Watch future newsletters for times and locations.
“Build-a-Story Workshop” on August 3, 2019 at Dakota County Arts in the Park
Screenwriters Workshop will be sponsoring a booth at Dakota County Arts-in-the-Parkon Saturday, August 3, 2019 from 1:00-4:00 PM at Thompson County Parkin West St. Paul. Our “Build-a-Story Workshop” will be an outreach effort to inspire kids and their parents to write scripts. Our booth will allow both kids and adults to build a story off a bare bones script with randomized prompts, then encourage them to create videos at the park. Please email us at mnscreenwritersworkshop@gmail.comif you are interested in volunteering. If you have kids, bring them to the event and engage with a variety of arts activities and, of course, Mother Nature.
SWW Team’s 48 Hour Film Screening at the Riverview
For the second year in a row, SWW fielded a team for the 48-Hour Film Project, an annual contest that challenges filmmakers to write, film and edit a short film in 48 hours. The SWW team, composed of several of our screenwriters, talented local actors and crew members, successfully completed their short film, “Watch Over Me,” on June 2. The film, a suspense/thriller involving a misunderstood flooring repairman, starred the intrepid 6-year old Savanna Adams, daughter of SWW member Beth Adams. It premiered at the Riverview Theater in Minneapolis along with other competing films. If you are interested in participating in this or other similar projects in the coming year, please email us at mnscreenwritersworkshop@gmail.com.
Myrtle Says Why Screenwriters Should Make a Movie
For the second year in a row, Screenwriters’ Workshop has sponsored a team for the 48 Hour Film Project. Below, first time 48’er Myrtle McGovern shares her take on why this is a valuable experience for any screenwriter:
“Whether you are a novice, emerging or established screenwriter , the 48Hour Film Fest challenge has something for you. The Fest brings together a team of creatives to work over one weekend creating a 5-7 minute short film.
For me, a novice screenwriter, I learned:
1. How my voice contributes to the writing team ideation process
2. How a genre/topic can generate so many diverse stories
3. How working to storyboard the elements visually is so important for flow and consistency
4. How different your words are interpreted by the producing, directing and editing teams
5. How important it is to have someone from the camera crew and/or director be a part of the writing team
*Note: Those great words may not translate to the proper angles
6. Teamwork, compromise and trust are key
I created new relationships with my team and as a novice screenwriter making these connections were just as valuable as the writing and film process. I look forward to having a chance to work with my great team again in the future.
P.S. For the emerging and established screenwriter, the fest pushes you in a controlled span of time and limited resources to push the creative envelope on thought and execution. No better way to keep your skills sharp!”
You Really Should Join Us on a Committee (It’s Fun!)
If any of the activities and events of Screenwriters’ Workshop intrigue you, come to a committee meeting and help us plan. It’s a great opportunity to meet people, network, and hone your creative skills. Our next committee meetings are Saturday, July 13, 2019 from 11:30 to 12:30. Then we hang out and talk over lunch for a half hour. If you like it, you can even stay for the board meeting from 1:00-2:30PM. The meeting is held at FilMNorth at 550 Vandalia in St. Paul. We know you are busy, so commit to only those things you can follow-through on. All members are welcome!
Bragging Rights
Congratulations to SWW Board Member Kelly Lamphear-Dash who (for the second year in a row!) has made the quarter finals of the CineStory Foundation Feature Contestwith her script Slumming It.
Don’t forget, Screenwriters Workshop members get public shout outs for placing in major contests or production efforts. Keep us in the loop at: mnscreenwritersworkshop@gmail.com
