Dear Philadelphia Scriptwriters
This may be an opportunity to get free feedback on your writing, to network with directors and producers and actors or in some cases to get your scene or sample shot and/or edited.
Using “Live” Scripts
To give the directors and producers the training and work experience as close to production reality as possible, we are inviting Philadelphia area scriptwriters and screenwriters to submit short pieces for use in the workshops.
If you submit work, it may be selected by directors or producers in any of the workshops using scripts. There is a growing list of courses and many will use the (Script analysis, polishing the script, directing actors, etc.)
So why not have the writers get something of value out of the efforts of the directors and producers and actors involved in the school? What will come out the interaction depends on the focus of the workshop. It may be feedback, contacts, or a video clip, or an edited piece. But the effort and experience should help all parties involved.
In exchange for the use of the scripts, we ask the directors and producers to give writers something concrete and definitive: analysis, script notes, written suggestions, or some type of production product such as workshop footage on a DVD.
Types of Scripts We are Seeking for These Workshops
A. We are seeking brief scenes or excepts or very short self-contained works from Philadelphia-based screenwriters or scriptwriters who are interested in getting these pieces developed or produced.
B. These pieces should be less than 10 pages. You may include more of the script or a treatment for the purposes of explanation. But you should identify the segment that you would like to be workshopped.
C. Please note that number of actors needed, the location described and the situations portrayed in the script may impact its selection. The workshops are in short durations and so shooting at a single location is the easiest to do well. If your scene has two locations that’s more difficult to produce. Multiple locations, mixed tracks, etc. are beyond our means at this point.
Examples of How Scripts May Be Workshopped
1. Script Analysis Workshops – The focus of these workshops are to analyze and evaluate a script for its potential, strengths, weaknesses, structure, arc, etc. In this case a writer may receive notes on its potential on what could be improved on what readers enjoyed etc.
2. Development workshops – Some workshops may focus on the developing and polishing a script so that it is completely ready for shooting. In this case a writer may be invited to correspond with a director and or producer or even work side by side to bring the script to the next level.
3. Budgeting workshops - Some workshops may be focused on how to take a script and figure out the best and most inexpensive way to shoot it. In this case you would receive a budgetary evaluation of your script or suggestions for where and how to shoot it efficiently and with high production value.
4. Actors or production workshops - A workshop may focus on directing actors or on framing or on shot-listing and so a script that is “actor-ly” or one has montage potential (could be shot listed many interesting ways) may be selected. In this case, the writer may receive raw un-edited footage.
5. Post-production workshops - If you have raw un-edited footage from a previous workshop it may be then used in a workshop that focuses on post-production (e.g., editing or adding music). In this case, the writer may exchange raw footage for something a little more cooked! You should receive a video copy of the outcome of the workshop.
6. Shooting at indoor workshop locations. Please note: Most workshop locations are simply nice empty spaces such as play theatres, dance studios, etc. Writers would recieve a “black box” video version of their script. It may acted without scenery or any but the most important props.
7. Location shooting. In other workshops the goal for the producer or director may be to (in a very short time) find a suitable interior or exterior location to shoot a brief piece — and to find suitable actors as well. If you happen to have an ideal location you’ve already identified for your scene, please note in your introduction to your script, becuase that because it could help all involved.
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We cannot guarantee that your script will be selected for use in a workshop but if it is you will receive notice and receive some concrete work product in return.
Due to the many variables we cannot guarantee the quality of the final product.
However, the focus of the school is to help not just directors and producers in Philadelphia but to help others involved in the production process such as actors and writers and technical crew persons. Through this project we (the product coordinator Mark Cimino and the instructors involved) will endeavor help the scriptwriters in Philadelphia get more support for their work.
For questions or to submit scripts (of 10 pages or less in screenplay format only) please send to phillyscriptwriters [at] gmail [dot] com
