WELCOME TO THE NEWSLETTER of the ORANGE COUNTY SCREENWRITERS ASSOCIATION
A not-for-profit organization dedicated to all screenwriters and filmmakers.
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Calendar
ON THE WEBSITE NOW:
SPECIAL VIDEO MESSAGE
from
producer Robert Kline
"To Kill A Mockingbird's" 50th Anniversary Event will feature a screening of the Academy Award-winning film with legendary producer Robert Kline leading a discussion after the movie. Don't miss this one.
DAMNED SUPPORT
by
Rudy Garcia
Lately, people have asked some of the following questions:
-Why do you go out of your way to see people “do their thing” in this industry?
-After working a 12 hour day in engineering, why on earth would you drive an hour to come see me act in a scene that only lasts 5 minutes?
-Why do you spend time reading and giving me honest feedback on whatever I’m working on without being a prick? (more)
THE LIFE CYCLE OF A SCRIPT
by
Christian Stambouli
I had a conversation a few days ago with an aspiring screenwriter who spent a good part of an hour telling me about all the ideas he wants to put in script form. His excitement was followed by confiding about his feelings about all the horror stories he hears and the cynicism that shows up in articles and even books on the subject of the film business and specifically the world of Hollywood. That was a prime example of the conflict between a passion for the craft – A yearning to release the stories the writer carries - and the realities of the movie business. Are those two worlds really in conflict or is it just a matter of viewpoint? (more)
GREAT (and Wrong) EXPECTATIONS
by
Mark Sevi
One of the things I think screws me up most is expectations. I expect family to react or to be a certain way. In relationships, I’ve had issues with girlfriends who turned out to be different than I thought they’d be - all my fault. It’s not them, it’s me. Me and my stupid expectations.
The film business is no different. We hear stories, we read articles and books - we expect it to be a certain way. And we’re almost always wrong. (more)
www.ocscreenwriters.com
SPONSORS:
SUMMER AIN'T OVER UNTIL WE ALL SAY IT'S OVER!
Join us for sun, fun and cold readings of your work with a moderated critique
Open to all. This is a kid-friendly event.What: Beach Party - just hanging and networking.
Special Industry Guests? Come and find out!
Where: Salt Creek Beach, Dana Point
Tents at end of Green Hill. You can't miss it.
We'll try to set up on the greenbelt so look for us -
Parking: is easy, at the corner of PCH and Ritz Carlton Dr. Walk under bridge and see huge green grass hill. MAP
When: Sunday, September 19, 2010, 2:00pm-??
Cost: Free
Details: BRING YOUR OWN EVERYTHING.
Featured: Networking, Cold Readings, Games; Water Balloon fight; and a juggler who juggles live blades and will give juggling lessons to the kids and adults - without the blades, of course. Special Guest(s)...yes!
COLD READINGS: We will have actors at the event. If you want your script pages read in an open-air setting, live, and then have a moderated critique of those pages led by professional screenwriter and screenwriting teacher, Mark Sevi (IMDb) then follow these few simple rules:
- Anyone familiar with film production will recognize that what you'll be providing the
actors who will be reading is called "sides" - or close enough. Sides are used to test an actor for a role. They are short scenes or snippets of scenes. - So - no more than three pages, please, per writer.
- The scene must be in script or play format only.
- For each character in your script you must bring one full copy of the pages and one for the narrator. So if you have four characters, you need four copies PLUS one for the narrator who will read the action.
- First come, first served. We might only get to three or four of these so if you want to do it, come early and sign up for a reading.
- To have your pages read, you must sign a release form. If you don't want to sign one, then no worries but you will not be read.
- If possible, we will film the reading and critique and provide a copy to you (for a small fee for processing the digital file and/or DVD.)
- No exceptions to these rules will be considered.
- And finally -
- No babies and no whiners. Life's too short.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
What: It's the 50th Anniversary of one of the most important films of the 20th Century. We have a screening of the movie and a film/book discussion planned afterward with legendary producer Robert Kline who has worked with Orson Wells and other film greats and is a visiting professor at USC Film School.Where: The Regency South Coast Village Theater.
When: Thursday, October 21st, 7:30pm.
Cost: $10.00 at the door.
Details: Gifts and prizes to be given away including dinners and studio tours - and much, much more.
Open to all.
Go to the website for more info (which will be coming soon) and we''ll be sending a separate newsletter with full details.
What: The Great Park Networking EventWhere: The Great Park, Irvine
When: September 24, 2010, 4:00pm-6:00pm
There is a dance party after 6:00 in the Hanger Cafe if you want to stay sponsored by The Great Park.
Cost: $10.00 advance, $15.00 at door. The normal $10.00 parking fee has been waived for this event.
Details: Free balloon rides, presentations, a tour of the facility, food and networking.
Open to all interested media people.
Go to the website for more info (which will be coming soon) and we'll be sending a separate newsletter with full details.
What: Zombie Walk!Where: Triangle Square in Costa Mesa
When: Satyrday, October 23, 2010 - Zombies will stage at 5:00pm and walk a route near Triangle Square - we will then end up at some bar near Triangle Square to par-ty.
Cost: Free - buy your own drinks at whatever club we end up at.
Details: Prizes for best Zombie costume and best Zombie dancer. Still working on the specifics but trust us, this one is gonna be Zombilicious FUN!
Open to all who want to walk like a Zombie and/or donate their pickled brains to the destination tavern.
Go to the website for more info (which will be coming soon) and we''ll be sending a separate newsletter with full details.
What: Our Short Script Contest, Take II
Where: Online submissions- event TBA
When: Submission website opens soon.
Cost: Entry fee TBD but cheap!
Details: Another great opportunity to see your script become a reality. More details when the contest officially opens.
Open to all.
Go to the website for more info (which will be coming soon) and we''ll be sending a separate newsletter with full details.
What: OCSWA at MCAI
Where: TBD
When: Wednesday, October 20, 2010, doors open at 6:15pm
Cost: non-members $17.00 at door; $12.00 if paid in advance; MCAI members and students $5.00 at door.
Details: Still in the planning stages, but promises to be a great networking opportunity with nosh provided. Members of OCSWA will doing a presentation to the media professionals of MCAI and other media organizations.
Open to the public.
Go to the website for more info (which will be coming soon) and we''ll be sending a separate newsletter with full details.
JOIN US!
Thoughts, ideas, want to volunteer to help? Donations? Maybe take a hard-working OCSWA member out to lunch (kidding)...
CONTACT US through the website HERE.
SIGN UP for the NEWSLETTER and keep informed of all our events and news. HERE.
Only a mediocre writer is always at his best.
W. Somerset Maugham
all material copyright (c) 2010 Orange Country Screenwriters Association