IN THIS ISSUE

• Autumn Classes – Register Now!
• Screenwriting Tip
• Alumni News

Autumn Classes – Register Now!

Register ASAP for the best selection and to ensure your choice is not filled or cancelled! Here are our Autumn offerings:

SCREENWRITING FUNDAMENTALS
Learn in 5 weeks everything you must know to write a screenplay.
Choose:
– MONDAY group (7-9:30 pm, Oct 13-Nov 17)
– TUESDAY group (7-9:30 pm, Oct 14-Nov 18)
See syllabus
Tuition: $245

MASTER CLASS
Write a feature-length script or script outline in 10 weeks.
Choose:
– MONDAY group (7-9:30 pm, Oct 13-Dec 15)
– TUESDAY group (7-9:30 pm, Oct 14-Dec 16)
See syllabus
Tuition: $445
(Master Class Alumni: take $50 off)

PRIVATE CONSULTATION & INSTRUCTION
is also available. See more info on our website.

TO REGISTER
Just hit “Reply” and e-mail us with which workshop group you are interested in, and we’ll email back to get you enrolled right away!

Screenwriting Tip:
Limit your use of the word “is”

In screenwriting, generally you want to use only active verbs: “She runs, skips, stumbles, stampedes,” etc. Occasionally, you may want to show that an action is already in progress when a character enters a scene. In that case you might use what is known grammatically as the continuous aspect of the present participle; it’s the use of “is” with a participle (the verb form ending in -ing). Such as: “Helen comes into the kitchen. At the sink, Dave is washing the dishes.”

The only other time you would use “is” would be when describing someone or something: “Sharon is the tallest of the kids” or “His desk is old and worn.” Frankly, that makes for boring screenwriting, especially when it is used often. As much as possible, everything should be active. Sharon should be doing something when we meet her, and not just be being the tallest kid. “Sharon, the tallest of the kids, rushes up to him” is a better introduction for her.

Even the desk can be made a more active part of the scene. Let’s try: “His old, worn desk sits in the corner.” In a literal sense, it’s doing the same thing as the previous desk, just being there, old and worn. But describing it as sitting makes it seem more present and almost active. “Sits” suggests to me that perhaps the owner placed it specifically in that corner. His desk belongs in that corner. It’s almost as if it’s waiting for its owner.

Okay, I may be pushing it with the waiting, but I think you’ll agree with me at least that it’s a less boring, more active sounding sentence than the previous version. The point is: try to use active verbs even when describing inanimate objects for more compelling screenwriting.

Alumni News

Andrew Olson‘s script The Bubblegum Killer made the quarterfinals of the Nicholl Fellowship! Given out by the Oscars organization, the Nicholl Fellowship is — hands down — the most prestigious screenplay competition that there is. Big congrats, Andy!

Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, Emma Holdershot a television pilot she wrote, Local Celebrity, a comedy about an actress (also played by Emma) who finds limited success as a spokesperson for a local chain of fried chicken restaurants. Way to go and get things done, Emma! Can’t wait to see it.

Three alumni were recognized by the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards! Amy Quick Parrish‘s The Frequency was named a semi-finalist. Hannah Feller‘s The Money Flight and Dana Cowden‘s Traveler were both quarterfinalists.

Kat Candler‘s feature film Hellion had a successful run this summer, playing in 30+ cities across the U.S. to great reviews. The Washington Post called it “a tough, uncompromising little film” with a “sterling” cast. If you missed it, you still have your chance: it’s available on VOD and ITunes.

I noticed that alumna and professional musicians BettySooand Jess Klein released new albums to acclaim this summer. Here’s a great review in the Austin Chronicle of BettySoo’s When We’re Gone and here’s an interview with Jess about her Learning Faith album.

Actually I’ve recently noticed a number of alumni creating and doing all sorts of works of art, and so I want to give a mention to some more of these cross-pollinating success stories:
– Natalie Jenison appears in and is an Associate Producer of Tim’s Vermeer, a fascinating documentary made by magicians Penn & Teller about her father, Tim Jenison. It was in theaters this summer and is now available on DVD and VOD.
– Alumna Robin Overby Cox wrote Staff Sergeant Shilo Harris’s true story in the book Steel Will: My Journey through Hell to Become the Man I Was Meant to Be. Just published by Baker Books in September, already it is the second highest bestselling book on Iraq on Amazon.
– Michelle Lord wrote the hysterical adult farce The Polka King in the spring Master Class. But outside of class she is an accomplished children’s book author. Her newest book Animal School was published this summer by Holiday House.
– Melissa Nierman has my personal admiration: she took up stand-up comedy and performed in the Labor Day weekend Out of Bounds Festival.
– And lastly, I was tickled to spy writer and actress Christina Childress‘s smiling, wind-blown face in the new Texas Lottery $200,000,000 Cash Blowout television commercials.

Alumni: be sure to email us about your news. We love to hear from you! Email news@thescreenplayworkshop.org.

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