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