Robert Roderiguez's 'Machete' to Arizona: Happy Cinco de Mayo!

▌SMASH ▌Campaign "You Cannes NOT Be Serious"

U.K. Based outlet, Film Directing 4 Women, has already given you the uniform. (Go 'head. Order the t-shirt and hat.) Now check out the swelling call to arms that begs the Cannes pardon: Really?! No lady directors in the line-up?

Check it out aqui.

(Does this feel like Election 2008, or is it just me?) 

▌PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ▌2 Resources #DMV Writers Need to Read Right Now

Now, I shared the goods in the go-meet-people, go-get-upgraded depot. It's time for that gud'a, gud'a, intensive care--if you want it. The Story Department and Screenwriting U are amazing outlets for writers who are looking for resources in the mean time, entirely gratis. (I get it. I promise. No pennies to speak of. Thanks, higher ed!) So if you wanna hear it--here it go! 

P.S.

I'm sharing MONEY SHOTS only! If you want more, follow the hyperlink, hun. *Mwah*

Story Department (the money shot)

Karel Segers is a producer and a script consultant who started as a [film] rights buyer in Europe, and upgrades scripts the world over from Australia. (Always feels official to get international, no?) Here's where he stands on perfecting your script format:

In newbie screenplays I often read "POV: [Character Name]". This is almost always unnecessary. BTW, Any technical element that is about HOW it is filmed rather than WHAT is filmed, takes us out of the read. This includes "Point of View". 

So it is annoying. 

But more importantly, it is totally superfluous. //Follow me. I'm green. And a hyperlink to greatness//

Screenwriting U (the money shot)

Hal Croasmun has been in the biz, read the whack, the good and the utterly ugly in scripts, and here's his two bits for the week on engaging characters:

Let's be blunt for a second: If your lead characters don't engage a reader, your script will be turned down. So it is very important that the top three characters have great introductions. I can't tell you how many times a lead character is introduced in a bland way -- often through "talking-heads" scenes that do little to make the character memorable. 

My advice: Make those character introductions as interesting as you can by putting your character into action right away. To do that, we'll use a simple "action/insight" format on characters from five movies. //Follow the pretty green hyperlink//

▌PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ▌2 Opps #DMV Writers Need to Know Right Now

Hey there, you Scribe-y-poo, you! Check out these local options to make you better. I'm clearly in a writing kind of mood, no? DC Film Salon and the Organization of Black Screenwriters have some script-a-licious goodness to serve. It may seem far off, but it's never too early to upgrade yourself. If you check in, as always, don't forget to tell them bytwenty8 sent you! *Mwah*

Thursday, June 10th

DC Film Salon Live Script Reading

Take 2

DEADLINE: Wednesday, May 12th

We had such a successful reading in April that we've decided to do it again. The next script read will take place on Thursday, June 10th. Deadline for entries is Wednesday, May 12th. If you are interested in having your script read in front of a live audience by professional actors please submit up to 10 pages of a short or feature length script. We will not read anything over 10 pages, so please choose your selected pages wisely. This is a great opportunity for you to hear your words read aloud, and to received constructive feedback that can be instrumental in making your writing even stronger. To participate, please send your script to Andrea Ellis at andrea@dcfilm.org by Wednesday, May 12, 2010. Place “SCRIPT READING” in the subject line.

October 1st & 2nd

ORGANIZATION OF BLACK SCREENWRITERS – OBS ON TOUR Presents: 

“Telling Your Story: One Script at a Time” 

HOWARD UNIVERSITY - WASHINGTON, D.C.

2400 6th Street, NW - Blackburn Center

REGISTER TODAY AND GET EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: 

http://obsontourdc.eventbrite.com/

Do you have a story inside of you that is just dying to be told? Have you ever wanted to write a screenplay, but you just didn't know where to start? Now is the time for you to get started! This is a great tool to use to make sure that there are no unnecessary scenes in your script. Once you know the general beginning of your story, and have an idea of where you’d like it to end, you start backward creating a cause for each major beat until you reach your beginning. Get the entire worshop at a great price or save by just buying the class you need!