End of the Line

As 2014 draws to a close, I wanted to wish you all a great holiday season.  Thanks for all the hard work so far and use the break to recharge, so that in January, you're ready to tackle even bigger challenges.

Seniors, I'll be organizing a meeting in the second week of class to recap some information, put the first term in perspective, and listen to revised pitches.  An informational e-mail will go out the first week in January.

Creative Event Series!

If you've never been to one, you should register for one of the "Creative Mornings" speaker series.  These talks are engaging and inspiring for creative individuals in all disciplines.

The Neighborhood Film Company is speaking at this month’s Creative Mornings and it will be in the URBN Annex at 8:30am on this Friday, November 21. Tickets are Free.

More info at

http://creativemornings.com/talks/neighborhood-film-company

Scholarship Sponsorship Concert

Hi, my name is Matt Kurtyka, Entertainment and Arts Management senior. I'm writing this email to tell you about the Co-op Scholarship Fund, a fund I have created to raise money for students on unpaid co-ops.

As of now, raised proceeds go towards EAM and MIP students. If we generate enough buzz about this fund, we can raise enough money to include more Westphal Departments!

Our fundraiser will be on Wed. November 19 at the Rotunda (4041 Walnut) from 6-10 pm. We will have live entertainment, free tacos from Wahoos, and a prize raffle. Tickets are $5 w/ a school ID and $10 with out. All raised proceeds will be administered through Steinbright.

Could you pass this message along to your students? This will be an enjoyable event that will give students of all interests the opportunity to actively participate in a fundraiser aiming to benefit fellow students. Not to mention, meet other Westphal students. Whether it is through email, social media, or word of mouth, any bit of promotion coming from you department would  be fantastic.

Thank you for your time. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at mjk385@drexel.edu or 717.599.6520. For more information, check out our Indiegogo campaign and Facebook page.

*I've attached an event flyer to this email.

Sincerely,
Matt Kurtyka
--
Matthew Kurtyka
Entertainment & Arts Management
Drexel University

Grad School Opportunity

This came in from Nick Anselmo for the playwrights:


MFA PLAYWRITING PROGRAM at CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, DC


Catholic University of America is accepting applications for their MFA Playwriting Program, headed by award-winning playwright Jon Klein. This is the only MFA program in playwriting in the theatre-rich Washington, DC area - and with over 80 theatres in residence, there are many opportunities for professional internships, readings and productions available to graduate students. Previous and current playwrights have had such opportunities at Arena Stage, Woolly Mammoth, Roundhouse Theatre, Theatre J, the DC Fringe Festival, and many more.

Other benefits of the program include access to the American College Theatre Festival, where CUA students have won major awards for each of the last several years, and access to the Kendeda Graduate Playwriting Competition, in which an unprecedented two students were honored as finalists this year!

We also offer the opportunity for each student to have their thesis play fully produced, and directed by a professional director from the DC theatre community, in their final year.

Last but certainly not least, we are able to offer two full tuition fellowships for the three year program. The deadline to submit an application isJanuary 30!

More information on the program, and how to apply, may be found here:http://drama.cua.edu/graduate/mfa-playwriting.cfm. You may also wish to peruse a recent list of CUA playwriting students and alumni, which can be found on my website at this page: http://www.jon-klein.com/catholic-university-mfa.html.

Our other graduate programs - the MFA in Acting, the MFA in Directing, the MA in Theatre History and Criticism, and the MA in Theatre Education, may be perused here:http://drama.cua.edu/graduate/index.cfm.

We hope to hear from you soon!

Jon Klein
Head, MFA Playwriting Program
Catholic University of America
Washington, DC
kleinj@cua.edu
202-319-5360

Term Updates

Snow White, the fairest of them all, is a landmark in cinema and an animation touchstone.  I'm doing a guided screening in the large screening room Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM.  The blu-ray transfer is excellent and if you've never seen the film on the big-ish screen, now's your chance.

Seniors, if I haven't seen you in person since week 2, you need to set up a face-to-face meeting with me before the end of the term.  E-mail me immediately.  If you have not yet registered for SCRP 496, take care of that immediately.  Most importantly, make sure I have the first acts, or equivalent, of your projects by the end of week 10.  Go back and review the syllabus to make sure you've completed all the work for the term.

A general SCRP information blast with opportunities and classes will come later today in your e-mail.  Please take a look at these and e-mail me with any questions.

Public Service Opportunities

Public Service & International Affairs Awards Info Session

October 30, 12-1PM
109 Disque Hall; 32^nd & Chestnut

Are you an exceptional student dedicating to changing the world? Interested in a career in public service or government? Committed to working on environmental science or policy? Want to work for an international affairs think tank or the U.S. Foreign Service? Come learn more about nationally competitive scholarships for students who want to make a difference.

Featured programs include:

·         Udall Scholarship: for sophomores and pre/juniors who are U.S. citizens and are planning future careers inany field related to the environment. The award is also open to Native American and Alaska Native students committed to a career related to tribal public policy or health care. For more information, go to: http://www.udall.gov/OurPrograms/MKUScholarship/MKUScholarship.aspx

·         Truman Scholarship:  For outstanding juniors who are U.S. citizens and planning to study in any field that leads to a career in public service or government. Up to $30,000 educational support, plus mentorship, leadership training, and membership in a powerful network of Truman Scholars. For more information, go to: http://www.truman.gov/

·         Pickering Undergraduate and Graduate Fellowships: academic and professional preparation for outstanding undergraduate and graduate students planning to enter the U.S. Foreign Service. Women, members  of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need are encouraged to apply. For more information, go to:http://woodrow.org/fellowships/pickering/

·         Carnegie Junior Fellows: for seniors eligible to work in the U.S. post-graduation and interested in the field of international affairs.  Each year the Endowment offers 8-10 one-year fellowships to uniquely qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year.  Carnegie Junior Fellows works as research assistants to the Endowment senior associates.  For more information, go to: http://carnegieendowment.org/about/?fa=jrFellows

·         Rangel Graduate Fellowship: for seniors pursuing careers in the Foreign Service in which they can help formulate, represent and implement U.S. foreign policy. Supports fellows through two years of graduate study, internships and professional development activities, and entry into the Foreign Service. For more information, go to: http://www.rangelprogram.org

·         USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship: for seniors interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Provides up to $90,000 in benefits over two years for graduate school, internships, and professional development activities, as well as a unique pathway to the USAID Foreign Service. For more information, go to: http://paynefellows.org

For more information or to RSVP, email fellowships@drexel.edu or go to: drexel.edu/fellowships

Sundance in Philly!

Check this link to see the updates on Sundance Institute events in a city near you with the help of Knight Foundation grants.

Thoughts on Writing (In General)

Did you know Professor Kaufhold maintains a blog?  He occasionally writes about writing and screenwriting and work life and movies.  Click here to step through the looking-glass.

Deadlines come...

Deadlines go.

Seniors, make sure you've handed in your treatments and character bios for your projects and if you haven't set up your blog, do it immediately and start posting.

Show me that you're taking this project seriously and that it's at the top of your priority list.

LOOK! A new class!

If you haven't looked at the Winter term class list, yet, make sure you check out SCRP 260 Writing Comics, meeting Tuesdays at 9:30.  If you love comic books and graphic novels, you owe it to yourself to find out how to write them.  Even better, the course is going to be taught by one of the coolest guys on the planet, Jamar Nicholas!

Check out his blog!  See you in January, Jamar!

Those Professors You See Around

As students moving through the Screenwriting and Playwriting Program, you meet and take classes from a variety of professors, but do you ever wonder who those people really are? They're not just gatekeepers or boss battles you have to get past in the adventure of college.  They're a talented group of writers who have rich creative lives beyond the hallowed basement walls of University Crossings.

They are so much more than their IMDB listings, which I've found to be the main way students try to get background on their profs.  Mostly, your professors are too humble (or too busy teaching) to talk about themselves.  So, I'm going to do it for them and periodically post about the goings-on of faculty in the Program because I think what we do is amazing.

So, the early fall 2014 SCRP Faculty update, which is, apparently, the season of Jeffs:

Jeff Cohen

Did you know Jeff Cohen has not one, but two mystery novel series running?  Yep, it's true.  The sixth novel in the Haunted Guesthouse series is due to drop in December.  It's called Inspector Specter.  Don't be confused if you follow this link; E.J. Copperman is Prof. Cohen's pen name and alter ego.  Sometime, you should chat with him about how that came about.

The first book in his new series should be available right about the time you're reading this.  It's called The Question of the Missing Head and features a detective with Asperger's.  Prof. Cohen also blogs on Mondays for the Hey, There's a Dead Guy In the Living Room mystery publishing blog.  I'd say you should follow him on Twitter, but all he does is talk about Yankees baseball and -- really -- why does anyone do that?  If -- sigh -- you like the Yankees, Cohen's handle is @JeffCohenwriter.

Jeffrey Stanley

If you see Professor Stanley around in Winter Term, you should really take the time to shake his hand, because he just received a coveted Amtrak Residency!  16,000 writers applied.  Sixteen THOUSAND.  You know how many they picked? 24.  And Prof. Stanley was one of them.  Talk about having the odds stacked against you.  Only my boundless happiness for his achievement masks my raging jealousy, because with that residency comes sponsored rail travel and time to write about it.  I can't wait to see what he comes up with.

You can find out more information about Professor Stanley and follow his brainwave broadcasts at Jefe's House.

Wake up... time to write!

SCRP Seniors -- the meetings are over, the pitches are done, the administrative stuff complete.  No more excuses to avoid starting to actually do some writing.  Your development time is precious, but limited.  Use it wisely to deal with character bios and treatments.

I've started to have the first blog links sent to me and you'll see them posted in the bar to the right.  If you haven't yet done it, why not sit down right now and create your own space for personal expression?

Meeting Reminder

Pitch meeting tomorrow!

SCRP 495 Initial Pitch Meeting

The meeting is set for September 30th, Tuesday, at 10:00-12, in the small screening room.

Screenwriting Seniors -- Doodle-up!

Seniors, we need to schedule an initial meeting for senior project, SCRP 495.  Please use the following link to submit your availability:

http://doodle.com/f35r4y6gcuwihgib

I'll be in touch directly once the date and time is set.

Welcome! (...or welcome back!)

On the cusp of fall term, the academic year sparkles with promise.  I'm looking forward to meeting all the new students and re-connecting with returning ones.  More information will be posted in the near future.  For now, note that I've updated the Internship page with news and info.

See you all soon!

Slow Summer Days

I hope everyone is enjoying a relaxing summer and you're getting in some fun, sun, and creativity.  Some of you are moving towards your senior year and I urge you to use some of your spare time over the summer to lay the groundwork for your senior project, to start thinking about the story you want to bring to fruition during your last year on campus.

In the meantime, I came across a couple of interesting things on the web this week and the links are here for you to check out, if you're interested.

5 Tips for Screenwriters

Inside the Writer's Room

Enjoy the sun and heat!  See you all in the fall.

End of the road...

Here we are, week 10 of the final term of Senior Project.  It's been a long road from those early pitched ideas to the final drafts you're about to submit.  Remember:

FINAL DRAFTS DUE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4TH, 5:00 PM VIA E-MAIL

Beyond that, everyone needs to schedule a final exit interview with me before the end of finals.  It is your last duty as far as Senior Project goes.  We'll discuss your script, the process, and next step in your career and artistic development.  You should have received an e-mail containing a google doc with a schedule for the meetings.  Please log on ASAP and sign up for your preferred time.

I look forward to reading your work and to getting to sit down one more time with everyone.

Seniors! Time is fleeting...

This is week 5 of the term, which means the official countdown clock has started for the end of the term and the completion of your final rewrites.  Ask yourself if you're making the proper progress and if you're on track to graduate.

If you have questions or problems, e-mail me immediately.

SENIORS! Rewrite!

At this point in Senior Project, you should be well into your first major rewrite of your script.  If you haven't spoken with me in a while, drop me a line to set up a meeting so we can talk about your progress.  Let me know if you're having any challenges.

And Another Playwriting Opportunity...

NCP New Works Competition – Win a budget for your original show!

Have you written a new play or musical, but don’t have the finances or resources to produce it?

New Cavern Productions, Philadelphia’s newest entertainment company, is seeking original plays and musicals for The NCP New Works Competition. This is an exciting opportunity for student writers and composers in the Philadelphia area, who could win the chance to have their work fully produced by NCP, along with a production budget of up to $1,000.

Works that pass the preliminary screening will receive a 15-20 minute staged reading sample at the New Works Competition this spring. The winner, as selected by the audience, will have their work premiered by NCP at a professional local venue.

All genres are welcome, including straight plays, one acts, musicals and abstract shows.

Script submissions should be sent to info@newcavern.org, with the subject line ‘New Work Submission’. Competitors must be current high school or college students. Please include the name(s) and age(s) of the playwright(s), as well as the school/college(s) attended. The deadline for submissions is February 26th.

Event information will be released once the new works are selected.

There are opportunities for young artists of all mediums at NCP. Learn more about everything New Cavern Productions has to offer by going to our website www.newcavern.org. Click on “Join NCP” and become an NCP Artist to be notified directly when future jobs, productions, and casting opportunities become available!

Questions or concerns? Contact us at info@newcavern.org.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

www.facebook.com/newcavernproductions
www.twitter.com/newcavernprod

Playwriting Opportunity

CALL FOR SCRIPTS

The Department of Theatre and Music Studies at The College at Brockport - State University of New York is pleased to announce its 9th Biennial Festival of Ten-Minute Plays

·         All submissions are online.  Please visit our website for complete submission and format guidelines: http://www.brockport.edu/theatre
·         Each submission must have a cover sheet – available with the complete submission guidelines
·         Each script must have a running time of seven to fourteen minutes
·         Only original scripts allowed
·         Maximum of two scripts per playwright
·         No musicals
·         Previously produced plays, for which admission was charged, are not accepted
·         Plays written by the College at Brockport Department of Theatre and Music Studies faculty and staff (full and part time) are not accepted
·         Entries will be acknowledged by email
·         Scripts must be submitted by April 1st 2014 midnight EST
·         The top ten scripts will be produced in fully realized productions as part of the College at Brockport Festival of Ten IX in February 2015
·         Awards will be given to the top three selected plays
·         Finalists will be notified by December 1st  2014
·         For more information please visit our website: http://www.brockport.edu/theatre

It's not just your professors

Sometimes you must have the feeling that you're hearing the same things again and again from the writing Profs.  It's some weird fact of nature that people are more likely to believe complete strangers in certain instances than people they are more familiar with.

Check out this article just to see it's not just us:

Top 5 Mistakes

Back in the saddle...

Welcome to Winter term, 2014.

Seniors, everyone has a deadline coming up next week, AT THE LATEST.  Remember, it's never a problem getting work in early.  E-mail me if you have any questions.

This term, my office hours are Monday mornings at 10:00AM.  If you need a meeting and the walk-in hours don't suit your schedule, e-mail me.