Coming Up
May 30-31: PitchFest Weekend with Bill True, Screenwriter/Producer and Dean Hyers, Director/Actor
You've finished your script, and it's a great one. Now you're looking for your first break. How do you make that happen? Meet one guy who did it!
Join NWSG President, Aadip Desai, as he sits down for a candid conversation and Q&A with screenwriter, Bill True about his award-winning debut feature, RUNAWAY (2005, top prize at Austin Film Festival), from FADE In to distribution.
A Minnesota native, Bill True has two feature films and a cable network mini-series in development. For the last two years, Bill was voted a favorite juror by competitors at the Austin Screenwriters' Conference Pitch Competition. We'll get the straight story from this charismatic, enthusiastic, and motivated filmmaker.
You'll laugh, you'll cry! You'll learn as Bill shares how he sold his script, stayed with the movie through production and distribution, and leveraged the experience to take his screenwriting career to the next level.
You'lll find out what it's like to be a working screenwriting while living outside of Hollywood. You'll hear how to best present yourself as a serious screenwriter, the importance of self-promotion and marketing, and how to plan your career.
Whether you're an aspiring screenwriting or simply a movie buff, this promises to be an entertaining and informative experience you won't want to miss! [More Info]
June 14: Pitch Slam 2008: http://www.ifpseattle.org/events.htm
Organized by IFP/Seattle and The Northwest Screenwriters Guild and hosted by the Seattle International Film Festival, Pitch Slam is a staged representation of the process of screenwriters and filmmakers pitching to producers.
Leading up to the event, screenwriters submit 75-word loglines, which are judged locally, and the surviving entries are sent to three producers who each select four. The day of the event, three teams of writer/filmmaker finalists are chosen to pitch in a simulated producer’s office in front of professional producer/executive judges and a live audience. Both audience and producers vote on their favorites, and the winners are presented the Greenlight Award.
Pitch Slam is an opportunity for movie lovers to catch a glimpse of one of the early steps in the filmmaking process. Screenwriters and filmmakers receive lessons in pitching and there is always the chance that one of the producers will like what they hear and ask for the script.
Dates –
May 19 last day to send loglines
May 23 Quarter-Finalists selected
May 31 Pitch Workshop
June 7 Semi-Finalist selected and notifications sent
June 14 Pitch Slam 2008 @ SIFF
July 11-12 - Pilar Alessandra , Script Consultant and Director of On The Page
Friday, July 11th - Pilar Alessandra, Script Consultant and Director of On The Page will sit down with President, Aadip Desai to discuss the ins and outs of screenwriting (actually nitty gritty writing tips), talk about her new DVD, presenting yourself as a writer in the industry, and how to develop your career.
Saturday, July 12th, Pilar will conduct her "Creating Great Characters and Dialogue for Film and Television" workshop. Pilar is a highly regarded and sought after instructor at UCLA, Screenwriters Expo, and now at the NWSG. This is not to be missed.
Finally, for those who want to get a taste of what this weekend will be like, check out her extremely instructive and humorous podcast (FREE) on itunes, called On The Page with Pilar Alessandra.
Join the Northwest Screenwriters Guild
Sponsored by a grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Art and Sciences, The Northwest Screenwriters Guild (NWSG) is a non-profit screenwriting organization committed to five services for screenwriters: craft-based education; mentorship and peer review; career development; access to Hollywood (and global) film industry professionals; and fostering collaboration and growth within the local Pacific Northwest film community.
Founded in 1997, the Northwest Screenwriters Guild is in its eleventh year of providing support and insight to a dedicated group of screenwriters, distant in geography from "Hollywood" but not in spirit or talent. With a dedicated all-volunteer Board of Directors contributing over 3,000 volunteer hours during 2007, and an aggressive and robust ledger of events comprised of speaking engagements, meetings, workshops, and one-on-one sessions, the NWSG continues to demonstrate its commitment to the collaborative art-form upon which the film industry thrives.
NWSG Partners and Sponsors
The NWSG is pleased and honored by its continued support (1998-2004 and 2006-2008) from an instituttional grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Art and Sciences / Academy Foundation.
Guests of the NWSG stay at Inn at the Market and The Sorrento Hotel.
The NWSG is happy to partner with other local film organizations.
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