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| 1. The March/April Issue of Script is on Newsstands Now! |
 In the March/April issue of Script, writers, agents, economists and bloggers explain how new media and the WGA strike will change the job of the writer in Hollywood. Also, Scot Armstrong discusses an “Anatomy of a Scene” from his Will Ferrell-starrer Semi-Pro. In our "Writers on Writing" series, Zak Penn shows his "scriptment" for The Grand, Albert Torres waxes nostalgic about days on the set of Henry Poole is Here, and David Paterson (Love, Ludlow; Bridge to Terabithia) proves that the best answer to "no" is "no." Plus, William Martell uses 2007's The Lookout to illustrate set-up and payoff particulars.
Subscribe ONLINE: www.scriptmag.com/subscribe
Join Script on the Web
If you want to know what's coming in the next issue of Script, have a comment about the current issue, or simply want to network with other Script readers, you can join us on the Web.
Visit the following sites and request an add right now:
MySpace: www.myspace.com/scriptmag
Storylink: www.storylink.com/profile/scriptmag
Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Script_Mag/1023264648 |
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| 2. The Future of Screenwriting |
 What does the future hold for writers of new media? Or for writers of traditional media, for that matter? Script asked the experts to shed some light on the future of agenting, festivals, fundraising, and interactive media in the post-strike world.
For an exclusive excerpt,
Visit: www.finaldraft.com/mm_media/mm_newsletters/080304_script/
vol14no2-newmedia.pdf |
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| 3. Small Screen: Late-Night Television |
 Take the class clown, cross him with an endurance athlete, and toss in a Ph.D. in U.S. Government and you have: a late-night staff writer. Here, Steve Bodow of The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, Joe Medeiros of The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, and Will Burke of Jimmy Kimmel Live! walk us through a typical day in late-night.
For an exclusive excerpt,
Visit: www.finaldraft.com/mm_media/mm_newsletters/080304_script/
vol14no2-smallscreen.pdf |
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| 4. Selling, On Spec |
 Gone are the days of unlimited development dollars. There's no room for on-the-job training in Hollywood -- just the leanest, meanest script you can offer out of the gate. Writers, agents and managers tell Script what stars must align to sell your spec in this incredible shrinking market.
For an exclusive excerpt,
Visit: www.finaldraft.com/mm_media/mm_newsletters/080304_script/
vol14no2-scriptsales.pdf |
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| 5. Script Extra Edition: Script at the Sprit Awards; David Cohen's Book Launch |
Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody
Photo: Michael Hixon/The Beach Reporter |
Script at the Spirit Awards
Reported by Debra Eckerling
Script magazine was on hand for Film Independent's 2008 Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California, on February 23. Congratulations to Diablo Cody, winner of the Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay for Juno. The film also won Spirit Awards for Best Actress (Ellen Page in the title role) and Best Picture.
When asked what attracted her to the project, co-producer Lianne Halfon, said, "I just absolutely loved the script. It told a story that you were familiar with but did it in an unpredictable way."
"You never expect in a million years that your film's going to get produced," Cody explained. "That alone is a miracle. To get an award is beyond imaginable." When asked what advice she'd give to aspiring screenwriters, Cody's suggestion was simple: |
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"Get your work out there as much as possible, in every venue, every publication, every periodical, anything you can possibly do, even if you have to make your own 'zine and mimeograph it in your basement," she said. "Make sure that as many people as possible are seeing what you are creating."
Tamara Jenkins, who won the Spirit Award for Best Screenplay for The Savages, had additional words of wisdom:
"Don't listen to anybody… ever," she smiled. "You have to really tune into your own voice, even if it doesn't coincide with what is fashionable or what's seemingly cool. You have to listen to yourself."
For more of Script's coverage of the 2008 Spirit Awards,
Visit: blog.myspace.com/scriptmag
 Script Writer Signing at Book Soup
Reported by Debra Eckerling
David S. Cohen, Script senior writer, signed copies of Screen Plays: How 25 Scripts Made it to a Theater Near You -- for Better or Worse at Book Soup in Hollywood on February 2. Friends, family, associates, and movie buffs gathered to celebrate Cohen’s achievement: his first book -- and his first book signing -- three days before Screen Play’s official release. The book is Cohen’s “Director’s Cut” of 25 "From Script to Screen" columns that have appeared in Script over the years.
"It's really a thrill to hold a book in your hand and realize 'I did this,'” Cohen said. “That's something that I never quite experienced working in theatre or television. But the best part is the great reaction I've had from readers,” he continued. “That's the best part."
Cohen spent his adult career working in or around the entertainment industry, and is features editor for Variety. Screen Plays, published by HarperCollins, can be found at Amazon.com, Bn.com, and at a bookstore near you.
To browse the contents of Screen Plays,
Visit: www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061189197/Screen_Plays/index.aspx |
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| 6. Writers Marketplace |
2008 Big Break Contest
The 2008 Big Break Contest is now open for entries. Big Break is an annual, global screenwriting contest designed to support emerging creative talent. Big Break rewards screenwriters with cash, prizes, and A-list executive meetings. Winners and finalists alike have had their screenplays optioned and produced and have secured high-profile representation as well as lucrative writing deals. Since its inception in 2000, Big Break has awarded screenwriters with over $100,000 in cash and prizes and invaluable industry exposure. A panel of notable industry professionals conducts the final judging. The objectives are to bring recognition to promising screenwriters across the globe, to pave the way for the next generation of film artists, and to create inroads into an increasingly impenetrable industry. Robert Frisbee, 2007's first-place winner, has already secured representation with Benderspink and generated attention throughout the industry. To enter for your Big Break,
Visit: www.finaldraft.com/bigbreak
Out of the Computer / Into The Industry
A seminar dedicated to setting the screenwriter's career on a successful track, brought to you by Final Draft and ScriptShark on March 8, 2008 in New York City. Learn how to transition from aspiring writer to working professional by understanding the inner-workings of the industry, and pitching, positioning and promoting yourself and your screenplay effectively. Topics and events will include: Understanding the entertainment universe: How to navigate the industry's tough realities and harsh truths; Defining the writer: What can you expect, and where should you belong?; Networking lunch; Extended Pitch Practice Session; Professional panel of established industry executives to answer your questions. The seminar will be led by Lee Zahavi Jessup, a veteran of film development and production, who has worked with such companies as Tapestry Films, HBO Pictures, Trimark, Gemstone Entertainment, and others. She currently serves as the director of ScriptShark.com. To register,
Visit: www.1automationwiz.com/app/netcart.asp?MerchantID=66621&ProductID=3906456
The Professional Program in Screenwriting at UCLA
The Professional Program in Screenwriting is the only certificate screenwriting program that has oversight by the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, and it is the only viable alternative to the UCLA M.F.A. screenwriting program. The Professional Program stresses the theory and craft of professional screenwriting, without the critical studies seminars and related electives that are required to obtain a degree. The goal of this graduate-level program, which takes place over three academic quarters, is for the student to start and complete two original feature-length screenplays. The program begins in October 2008 and will come to a close in June 2009. Each student attends two classes per week -- a lecture class and a screenwriting workshop. The lecture and workshops are taught by UCLA graduate faculty, as well as professional screenwriters. An undergraduate degree in any field will be considered for admission. For more information,
Visit: www.filmprograms.ucla.edu/screenwriting.htm
Robert McKee Announces 2008 Seminar Dates
Portrayed in the Oscar®-nominated hit Adaptation, featured in Vanity Fair's Hollywood Issue, interviewed by 60 Minutes correspondent Bob Simon for CBS News' Sunday Morning Academy Awards Special, and the subject of an upcoming feature film documentary on his life and career, Robert McKee's sold-out Story Seminars teach the essential principles of screenwriting and story design that studios, production companies, and publishers demand from their writers. Find out why Robert McKee's Story Seminar has been taken by over 45,000 students worldwide, including many of today's top screenwriters, TV writers, producers, directors and novelists such as Peter Jackson, Akiva Goldsman, Andrew Stanton, Steven Pressfield, Zak Penn, Steve Koren, Drew Barrymore, Joel Schumacher, Ed Burns, Drew Carey, and writers of Grey's Anatomy, Ratatouille, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, CSI, Spelling Bee, Law & Order, The Da Vinci Code, The Daily Show, The Simpsons Movie plus many others. As The New York Times said, “About the only Hollywood notable not to have taken STORY is Steven Spielberg.” Upcoming Dates: March 7-9, 2008 – Los Angeles; March 28-30, 2008 – New York; April 19-21, 2008 – London Story; April 24-27, 2008 – London Genre. For more information call 888 676 2533 or,
Visit: www.McKeeStory.com
Aaron Mendelsohn Script Consulting
Don't "fade in" to your screenwriting career ... smash cut to it! Go beyond script analysis, get expert career consultation from a working Hollywood screenwriter. Aaron graduated from UCLA with a degree in Screenwriting in 1988. He has been working as a professional screenwriter in Hollywood for over 13 years. He made his feature film debut by co-writing the Disney family film Air Bud, which went on to become one of the most successful independently financed films of all time and has, to date, sired five sequels. Aaron's consulting services include script development from concept to final draft, expert script, character and scene analysis, and career guidance and strategic planning. Consulting services take place via phone or, for Los Angeles residents, in person. Rates are competitive and availability is limited. Mention Final Draft and receive a 20% discount! For more information,
Visit: www.aaronmendelsohn.com
Script P.I.M.P.
2008 Script P.I.M.P. Competition call for submissions! The 2008 Script P.I.M.P. Competition is searching for the best stories told by the best screenwriters demonstrating the best craft. Each screenplay entered is guaranteed two (2) reads from the Script P.I.M.P. panel of judges, composed of working literary agents, literary managers and development directors from the film industry. Past winners have optioned, signed with A-level agents, and sold for six-figures! Final Deadline: May 1st, 2008. Script P.I.M.P., LLC is a community-based research tool designed for writers & film industry professionals. Since June 2000, Script P.I.M.P. has gathered the specific needs and submission guidelines of production & management companies, literary agencies, independent producers, and creative executives searching for new material. Along with extensive resources, this information is now available in Script P.I.M.P.'s Writers Database. For more information, or to enter the 2008 Competition,
Visit: www.scriptpimp.com/writing_competition/home.cfm |
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