Check Out 2nd Tuesday Script Reading… But Wait ‘Til October! At the annual meeting we talked about what an amazing opportunity you have as an SWW to attend a 2nd Tuesday Script Reading. Participants get to read and critique (and hear critiqued) amazing scripts written by our member, receiving written coverage by MCTC students. You can have your scripts read as well. Unfortunately, Karen Frank, our amazing, award-winning 2nd Tuesday facilitator, is out of town this month, but she’s scheduling out for the coming months. If you have a script that is already completed and ready for review, contact Karen at frank007@umn.edu.
Our Script Groups Meet Every Week—Do the Deep Dive With Your Writing… Although 2nd Tuesday is on hiatus this month, Screenwriters’ Workshop’s script groups are the place to start for reviewing your scripts. To get a screenplay produced, you have to convince other people to invest a couple of million dollars in your writing. Even to win a contest, you have to see your work through the eyes of other people. With that in mind, consider attending our weekly script groups to get feedback from a variety of other people. Non-members can try out script groups for up to three times before deciding on whether to become a member. Click here for more information on our Thursday night, Saturday morning, and Sunday night groups.
Join Our Committee Meetings (with Lunch) to Plan for the Year Ahead We’ve had many amazing events this year, and they were all made possible by our dedicated volunteers. From our annual meetings to our tee-shirts to our amazing summer events, we get things done by taking a little time on a quarterly basis with a broad group of people, so many hands make light work. It’s a great opportunity to meet people, network, and hone your creative skills. Our next committee meetings are Saturday, October 12, 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!
Speaking of Our Amazing Events… Our Future of Story event on July 31st was a hit with standing room only at Playwright’s Center. Twelve panelists, including Minnesota’s own Tom Pope presented to packed seating. Sponsored by Michael Wiese Productions, the panelists discussed everything from animation to documentaries to pitching. They even offered opportunities for our members to practice pitching their own products, coaching them on how to be effective, and gave away books and other prizes. All said, it was a wonderful collaboration, and we hope to offer other events as authors make their book tours through the Twin Cities. A special thanks to Educational Programs Committee members Kelly Lamphear-Dash, Karen Frank, and Hafed Boussida, Member Services/PR Committee Member Beth Adams, and our board treasurer, Ed Leschke.
Screenwriters’ Workshop also sponsored a booth at Dakota County Arts-in-the-Park on Saturday, August 3, 2019 from 1:00-4:00 PM at Thompson County Park in West St. Paul. Our “Build-a-Story Workshop” inspired kids from ages three to eighty-three to write scripts by building a story off a bare bones script with randomized prompts, then encourage them to create videos at the park. Everyone who participated had a lot of fun, and we hope to partner in the future for similar events. Thank you to Member Services/PR Committee members Dick Zonneveld and Julie Meyer, and Grants and Fundraising Committee member Noukou Thao for making this event a success!
Bragging Rights 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.
“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