Young Playwright's Contest

Young Playwrights Inc. National Playwriting Competition

Open to writers 18 and under



No restrictions on length, content, or number of submissions.

A written evaluation will be provided for each play entered into the competition.



Winners Receive

An all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to experience and participate in an Off-Broadway staged reading of their plays.



Deadline for entries:

January 3, 2011



Send Plays To:

Young Playwrights Inc. NPC

Post Office Box 5134

New York, NY 10185



Visit www.youngplaywrights.org or call 212.594.5440 for additional information and submission instructions.

Get Your Beautiful Face Online!

SCRP alum Jessica Turner reported this today, so stop by and see her if you're in the vicinity!

For my work with Nationlight Productions, I'm going to be at the Art Museum steps today & tomorrow around 12-12:30 asking people to share a cool / inspiring story.

If you, any other faculty, or any students feel so inclined, please come out and share a story with us and we'll be uploading them to our facebook page.

Thanks!
Jess

Last Call of the Fall

Workshop and Senior Project Sections will not have a group meeting before the end of the term.

This does not affect deadlines in any way, so for some of you, the first half of your script is due on or before Friday, and for the rest, your final polish draft is due.

We will reconvene, and new members will join and pitch, during the first week of classes after the holiday. I will send out a scheduling e-mail towards the end of the holidays.

In the meantime, if anyone wants or needs to talk to me before the break, I'll be in my office Thursday morning from 10-1 this week.

Over the term break, you must keep your momentum going and continue writing, so that you can meet the deadline for first drafts, which is the end of the second week of the winter term. Also, remember that your blogs count for a portion of your grade, so you should be investing some of your creative energies in that direction.

As always, if you have any questions, e-mail me or your individual instructors immediately.

Video Games Anyone?

You should be aware that the term "screenwriting" is a catch-all phrase and applies to alot of different things in our media-saturated world. Some of you have an interest in video games and may wonder what it's like to write for them. If you seriously want to find out... DIGM is looking for a screenwriter for their Game Development Workshop II class.

If you're interested, please contact Paul Diefenbach.

WestPhest!

Come out and support your friends. See who takes home the cash prizes at this year's WestPhest Student Film Festival. Sunday Afternoon, with a pre-reception at Savas on Lancaster Ave. Tickets are available everywhere!

Deadlines Loom

This is the part of the term where things start to get interesting; you've got final projects bearing down in other classes, all the reading and work is starting to back up, and everyone is getting burned out. It's important to keep your wits about you and remember to meet your workshop deadlines. Coincidentally, I think there's one this Friday.

Friday Meeting Location

This Friday's Workshop/Sr. Project meeting @ 11 AM will be held in the Large Screening Room, UCross #028.

Meeting Scheduled

Our monthly meeting of Workshop and Senior Project classes is now scheduled for Friday, November 5th at 11 AM. I will advise you of the room location once it is confirmed.

Please mark your calendars.

Oh, yeah. Blogs.

So, this is the part of the term where I remind everyone that you're supposed to be writing blogs. Some of you have barely made an attempt and I want you to understand that this is part of the requirements for the class; in other words, you get grade points for your blog.

Also, if you're writing in Tumblr and have not enabled public comments, do it now. These blogs are there for purposes of discussion, and if I (or anyone else) has a comment, we need to be able to add it. If I can't respond, I can't help.

You really want to write? This is part of the process. Get on it.

Free Events on Penn's Campus

4:45p-5:45p 10/29 master class on “Music in Silent Film”

Irvine Auditorium (3401 Spruce St)

Peter Krasinski, the famed organist who specializes in the art of live silent film accompaniment, will present a Master Class entitled "Music and Silent Film, A Life-Long Passion" at the massive 10, 719-pipe Curtis Organ in Irvine Auditorium. He will discuss the history of silent movie musical accompaniment, demonstrate how he approaches each film and performance, and share thoughts about his recent tour of Japan. In conclusion he will improvise on a submitted theme. For Mr. Krasinski the "Theme" is what drives the music: whether that theme is musical, philosophical, or the story put forth in a film. His goal is always to find the "Central Line" in any musical composition. This event is free and open to the public.

7-9pm 10/29 “Phantom of the Opera”

1925 silent film with live accompaniment (Irvine Auditorium)

The 1925 silent film classic, Phantom of the Opera, returns in time for Halloween with live organ accompaniment by the highly- acclaimed organist, Peter Edwin Krasinski, on the 10, 719-pipe Curtis Organ. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the 11th-largest pipe organ in the world with the famed organist at the console. This event is free and open to the public.

Free Screening

SCRP Alum Jessica Turner Reports:

I'm working with the feature film Night Catches Us starring Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker) and Kerry Washington (Ray). The film was shot in Philadelphia and written & directed by local Tanya Hamilton - it'll be released by Magnolia Pictures on December 3rd.

We want to invite the faculty, staff and students of Drexel's Screenwriting, Film and Television programs to attend a screening of the feature at the Philadelphia Film Festival. It will be shown Friday, October 22nd at 7:30pm and Saturday, October 23rd at 12:30pm.

You can find more info on the screenings at the Film Festival site: http://philadelphia.bside.com/2010/films/nightcatchesus_filmadelphia2010

To see a trailer and learn more about the feature, please go to www.nightcatchesus.com

Please let everyone know about this screening - it's a locally shot film with a grassroots publicity campaign that's taking off. It's a great example of what you can accomplish while filming in Philly, as well as what a Drexel student can expect to have the opportunity to work on upon graduating!

Thanks,

Jess

Guest Speaker Re-scheduled

Rick Dorfman from Rain Management has had to cancel his guest speaking engagement scheduled for 11AM this morning. He has been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 12^th at 11AM in Matheson 405.

Pitching Event

Our own David Greenberg will be one of the judges at this very informative event.

http://film.org/film/events/index.cfm?eventID=1221

The event represents the good, the bad and the ugly of what it means to pitch, forcing both participants and casual viewers to re-examine, re-focus and re-fine their notions of and approach to pitching.

PhillyPitch 2010! Auditions

Event Date
10/9/2010

Description

WHAT:
You have a few minutes to present your screenplay and win a spot for PhillyPitch! 2010. The audition will ensure a great learning experience for pitchers and a very entertaining "Shoot in Philadelphia " audience event.

WHEN:
Saturday, October 9, 2010 1-4pm

WHERE:
Mike Lemon Casting
413 N. 7th Street, Ste. 602
Philadelphia, PA 19123

COST: **FREE**

RSVP: email SIP@film.org

SAVE THE DATE!
November 14th at Sun Center Studios
A special afternoon of FREE events culminating with a press conference to announce 2010 SIP winners! More details available soon!

NOTE: You must audition to be considered for pitching at the SIP PhillyPitch! 2010. Reservations are required for this event.

Contact Email
SIP@film.org

Deadline Day!

Today is the end of week 2, so that means there's a deadline for everybody taking a workshop or senior project class.

New guys-- I need your blog address.

Old(?) guys-- first drafts are due.

5:00 PM

Meet a Real Life Talent Manager

The EAM Program has confirmed guest Rick Dorfman (Rain Management) for Thursday, October 7th to speak to EAM freshmen. The class meets 11AM-12:20PM in Matheson 405.

SCRP students are welcome to attend this class and get a chance to hear how managers work from one of the best in the business. I strongly suggest you check it out.

You can find out more about Rain Management Group and their clients by checking out their website:

Rain Management Group

Fall Workshop Announcements

I want to inform you of the first class meeting, which is scheduled for next MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH, 10:00 AM, in the small screening room, UCross #030. During the first meeting of the term, you are expected to pitch the story ideas you'll be working on for the next two terms. Please come to class with an idea you've thought about, to avoid wasting everyone's time. Those of you starting the cycle will pitch your ideas, get a little feedback, and get your marching orders. I will be holding everyone to a strict 5 minute time limit so we can get everyone taken care of.

We will also hear from students who are halfway through with their projects about their progress, so come prepared to talk.

Also, during the first meeting, I will do my best to answer all the questions you have about the class. However, here are couple of the most common questions and answers about the class:

Do we meet regularly? We will meet as a group approximately once a month. Between those times, you are free to meet with your individual instructors as much as you want.

What if I'm on co-op? Let me know you won't be able to make the first meeting.

How many pitches do I need for the first week? Just one. PItch what you want to write.

Who is my instructor? After you pitch your stories, I will assign students to the available SCRP instructors based on mutually beneficial areas of interest. You can expect some administrative shuffling during the first two weeks of class. If you're in the second term of the cycle, your instructor will be the same as your first term instructor.

Who do we talk to if we have other questions? Me. Just hit the reply key if it can't wait until Monday.

I know someone who wants to take the class, but the sections were filled. Have them e-mail me, and forward this e-mail to them so they can come tot he first class.

Clear and simple, right? Right. See everyone on Monday.

Intern with the original comedy barbarian - Conan!

Looking for an internship? Think you're funny enough? Here's the link:

http://teamcoco.com/blog/conan-is-now-accepting-internship-applications/

Tell 'em I sent you.

End of the Line

It's funny. A couple of things routinely happen around week ten of the term. I could set my watch by them, that's how regular these events are.

First, blog entries trickle down to zero. Just because I and your individual instructors aren't entering comments every week does not mean we aren't reading. For some of you, it seems to have slipped your mind that the blog counts for part of your grade in this class. Please re-read the syllabus, then get back to entertaining us all with your entries. Remember, the blog does not have to be 100% about the script. That's not the point. The point is to keep you writing and you can use that space for anything in addition to keeping us posted about your script.

Second, attention drifts away from your script to other projects. As the term ends and other deadlines approach, you ease the hammer back on your script as you scramble to finish your other classes. You can't afford to let your attention wander, you're on the clock and every page you put off writing now is a page you're behind in writing for that first draft which is due sooner than you think.

Third, you stop communicating with your professors, because you think the ostriches might just have something and if you put your head far enough in the sand, we'll forget you're there. That's wishful thinking on your part, and totally wrong. Keeping open lines of communication is critical, and it's one of the first steps to becoming a professional. If you're having some kind of problem, the sooner we know about it, the quicker we can - perhaps - help you with it.

Finally, you panic. You're supposed to have half a script completed by Friday. No one writes well when they're freaking out, so just relax, sit down, and write.

You may be surprised at how accurate some of these things are, but remember, I've seen this go down many times, and I know what to look out for. Remember to keep your eye on the first draft: that's your primary goal. Once you have that in the bag, we can fix anything. But without that draft, you're sunk.

In that line, do not consider making revisions, yet. I know I said this previously, but I know everyone ignores that advice. The thing about the comments we send you is that they apply only to what we've read so far. Some of the comments may prove to be worthless once the complete draft is done. I throw questions into the script that very well may be answered in the very next section you hand in, so don't get hung up on comments at this point, just keep writing forward.

ADMINISTRATIVE STUFF:

You need to register for the second half of your class, either Workshop II or Senior Project II. You will need to fill out an over-ride in the Cinema & TV offices. If you're gone on Co-op, e-mail Sharon Walker and request an over-ride.

We will have a group meeting during the first week of the fall term, so we can discuss progress, hear pitches from the new people coming in, and generally go over marching orders for the fall. You can be prepared to meet as a group at least once a month when we're back in session. I'll try to work out a time that's convenient for everyone.

For The Tinkerers

For those of you who endlessly revise, or even those of you who are fascinated with DVD extras, I found this interesting article on director's cuts of movies.

Moving Forward

Theoretically, everyone working on this term's workshop scripts has now reached the end of their first acts. At this point, you will be tempted to backtrack to the opening of your script to fix those little problem areas that were so helpfully pinpointed by your faculty mentors. However, like sailors of old, who heard the siren songs that lead them to their watery deaths, you must ignore the call to go back and revise.

The temptation is a natural one. It's always easier to tinker with stuff that's already written than to create something out of nothing. All of us understand that, but there are a couple of compelling reasons to keep writing forward and not get pulled into the revision trap. Basically, you're on a schedule. If you get off the schedule, you won't complete a script. If you go back and revise your opening, you will get off schedule. If you end two terms with a great opening, but no complete draft, you will fail.

Keep writing forward, because your next chunk of script, to the midpoint at least, is due by week 10. If you don't get within shouting distance, you will not move on to the second half of the class. It's easy to get caught in endlessly revising the opening of your script, but believe me when I tell you, the time for those revisions is when the first draft is done.

Summer Sprints

I hope you're all enjoying your summer and I hate to intrude a bit of reality into the hazy lazy last month of the season, but that's just who I am, so here's a few things to keep in mind:

Everyone should be nearing completion on their first act.

After that, it's a sprint to the midpoint before the end of the term.

You must stay on schedule: if you have not completed the work, you will not continue on to the second half of workshop. As a long range deadline, you should be looking ahead to the second week of fall term (I'm not sure what the exact date is) when your first draft is due. There is no such thing as downtime in this class, you must keep up the writing pace.

As I was scanning though the blogs this morning, I see some of you have not provided links so that comments can be added to the blog. If I, or any of the other instructors (or your fellow workshoppers), have helpful stuff, it would be great to be able to give you feedback as we're reading the blog, not have to take it offline. So, add commenting links if you don't already have them. The blogs are what pass for community discussions for this class, so you should be reading them, and offering helpful insights. It's always easier to see the problems in someone else's scripts than it is in your own.

Finally, Professor Abrams has sent out a couple of e-mail recently about contests, etc. If you haven't gotten those, e-mail him to make sure he has your best e-mail address included.

Enjoy the rest of the summer.

Clarifications on Assignments

So, we're off. The sprint to the finish has officially begun. I hope you're managing to find ways to stay cool in the swelter of this summer. The blogs are all established, and most of you seem to be making progress.

A few points about the assignments and the deadlines from the syllabus. First, don't just post your assignments as part of your blog; send your files to your instructors so they can evaluate and comment on your work and return it to you. Second, a deadline is a deadline. All deadlines are 5:00 PM, Friday, of the specified week. This is week four of the term. All instructors should have your treatments and character bios by the end of business on Friday. I won't make a habit of reminding you of deadlines beyond this point. If you have questions, you should e-mail me or your individual instructors.

Blogs Up and Running

The first blogs for the new cycle of Screenwriting Workshop have started to go up. Links can be found to the left. Make sure to send me the links, so I can get them posted for everyone's reading pleasure.

Summer Workshops Gearing Up

For those of you starting on the Summer Term Workshop/Senior Project cycle, be aware that the first group meeting will be on Monday, June 21st, from 11:00 AM to noon, in the Small Screening Room. This will be a chance for you to pitch your ideas and meet with your instructors. I will also hand out the syllabus, and discuss the rules of the class regarding work schedules and further meetings.

Storytelling

Anyone who has taken one of my upper-level classes should understand that "Story" is something that exists everywhere, in ways we may not consciously recognize. As writers, it's our job to understand and consciously manipulate all kinds of stories. With that in mind, I think you may be interested in attending this event sponsored by the D&M Program:

Please join us on May 4th for our 2010 Distinguished Speaker event & Senior Business Plan Exhibit.

Our 2010 Distinguished Speakers are James Tichenor and Joshua Walton of The Rockwell Group LAB. The LAB, located in New York City, focuses on the creation of narratives that give people deeper and more valuable Retail, Entertainment and Product experiences. Projects range from exhibits, retail stores, restaurants, hotels and theaters combining high-end video technology, handmade objects, special effects and custom fixtures and furniture.

There will be a reception celebrating our graduating class immediately following.
Event Facts:
What: D&M Distiguished Speaker 2010: Rockwell Group LAB & Senior Business Plan Exhibit
Where: Bossone’s Mitchell Auditorium, 3128 Market Street
When: Tuesday, May 4, 6 PM
Cost: Free and open to the public
More information: 215-895-1029
RSVP: dsmr@drexel.edu
Anne Cecil

Info You Should Know

Thanks to Peter Kim for posting this list. You should check it out:

Hollywood Readers' List

Keeping Current

Things are relatively quiet right now... Which usually means I'm forgetting something.

For those of you who completed workshop over the past year, I just wanted to mention that you should keep working on that next draft of your script. Start mapping out a plan for getting that script to a "showable" state, so you can send it to agents/managers/producers and consider entering it into contests.

Also, while I forced many of you to start blogs for your projects, many of you dropped the blog like a hot potato the moment your term ended. Bear in mind the old axiom: writers write. So ask yourself, what have I written lately?

End of the Line

For the workshoppers out there who are still reading this blog, I wanted to share a few general impressions with you after reading your final draft scripts.

First, congratulations to everyone. You made it through the class and turned in every draft that was asked of you (more or less on time), which is no mean feat, and a serious step on the road to writing as the professionals do. Beyond that, everyone improved their script over the course of multiple drafts. All of the scripts I read were noticeably better than the first drafts you handed in in January.

Second, good work everyone on maintaining your blogs. It's not always fun, and some days, you feel like there's nothing to write about, but if you go back and look over it for a period of time, your insights may shock you. One thing that surprised me was your own evaluations of your work. Many of you, after completing your final drafts, discussed things you are planning on changing in future drafts. When you get my notes back, you may find in interesting how much we agree on when it comes to future revisions. That may be one of the best lessons you have learned these two terms: how to look at your own work as a professional does, and spot the problems that still need attention.

Finally (for now), this was an excellent batch of scripts, and I enjoyed reading them and working with all of you. For those of you on campus next term, we'll set up individual meetings to discuss your drafts during the second week of classes. As always, feel free to e-mail me with questions or comments.

Workshop FInal Meeting

SCRP 380/381/495/496 sections will meet for a final time on Monday March 8th @ 10 AM in the Seminar Room, #027. I should have all final drafts of scripts by that point.

Meeting Canceled

Monday's workshop meeting is canceled due to lameness on the part of the instructor. While he feels bad about this, he feels worse about the anvil currently sitting on his chest. Until he's better, you're off the hook for meetings. You are not off the hook for revisions, though. At this point, you should be working on polish drafts -- checking dialog, final tweaks, and PROOFREADING.

February Workshop Meeting

For those of you on the Fall/Winter workshop cycle, we'll be holding our February meeting on Monday the 22nd at 10 AM, in the seminar room #027.

Writing The Short Film Update

Any pitches I received on time, I posted to the web. They can be found by clicking on this link.

Please read through these pitches so we can discuss them first thing during class on Thursday.

If you have not yet sent me your pitch, please do so immediately.

For all of you, please bear in mind that first drafts of your final projects are due next week, Wednesday February 24th.

Thursday - No Class!

Due to weather-related issues on my end, I have to cancel SCRP 280 Writing The Short Film for Thursday, February 11th. Do not despair, however. Even though we will not meet as a group, you can still do your pitches for your final project as planned. You can do this in one of two ways, depending on your level of boredom.

1. Write up a summary of your pitch and e-mail it to me. No more than a page.

-or-

2. Record your pitch and post it to YouTube where I can watch it. Keep them under 5 minutes, for all our sakes.

Then, I'll post links to everything on the blog site, so everyone can watch or read them. That is your snowbound homework. I want your pitches e-mailed to me no later than noon on Thursday.

Draft 2 Deadline Looms

Workshoppers, please note your 2nd drafts are due to me by week's end. Make some wise use of your snow day.

The Weather

If you're in SCRP 280 Writing The Short Film Thursday mornings this term, check this space Wednesday to confirm whether class will be held or not. If class is cancelled, I will provide instructions for submitting your pitches in writing.

Workshops Update

Just to keep everyone up to speed... I'm still reading through your first drafts. Next week, I'll be scheduling individual meetings to go through your scripts. After those meetings, I'll schedule our February group meeting.

As always, e-mail me, or come to see me during office hours if you have questions or need guidance.

Lit Class Notices

First and foremost, if you missed the first reading quiz, you have an opportunity to take another quiz (harder and with less time). Make sure you watch the clips before you start the quiz. This will be the only make-up opportunity. If you took the first quiz, there is no need to take the make-up quiz.

Second, the paper topic has been unlocked. You should review it and come to class next week with any questions. I expect you to devote time to prepping this paper, so start thinking about it immediately.

As always, e-mail me with any questions.

Sigh

That's the sound of the old respect-o-meter dropping.

Yes, for those of you who failed to make this morning's meeting (see the previous post), you have been moved to the top of the craptastic list. You need to check this board for any and all announcements, and you need to do it regularly.

The meeting for you people has been rescheduled for Wednesday Morning @ 10 in the seminar room. This is the last time I'll do this. You have a scheduled class time and location this term and it's your job to determine if there's a meeting scheduled.

NB: Your first drafts are due in my e-mail box Friday, by 5:00 PM.

New Year, New Announcements

Greetings, everyone. I trust you are rested and rejuvenated after the winter break.

Workshoppers, take note: The next few weeks are when most people totally screw the pooch. Consult your syllabus. Your first drafts are due next week, Friday, by 5:00. If you start missing deadlines now, you will absolutely have trouble meeting deadlines as the term goes on.

We will meet as a group Monday morning @ 10:00 in the Seminar room. The meeting is mandatory for all. If you slacked off over the holidays, you have some serious writing to do in the next few days, so get cracking.