Screen writing workshops

W

Wannabe filmmaker

New member
Folks,
I have been thinking of getting ito screen writing.Was wondering if there are workshops available in the Philly area or is there a possibilty of my starting off as an apprentice.

Pls advise

Thanks
 
Here's some advice:

1.) search google for screenwriting workshops, classes at local colleges, screenplays, and read read read a lot of screenplays.

2.) Don't be a "wannabe filmmaker." Start writing. Hey, now you're a writer!
Wanna be a filmmaker? Get a video camera and start making movies.

Shazam! You're a filmmaker. :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

Seriously, don't be a wannabe. Filmmaking is so affordable these days, there's no reason not to be one, if that's what you want.

What is a wannabe filmmaker?
It's like saying you're a wannabe guitarist, or a wannabe painter. What is that? You want to, go get a guitar and learn to play! Get a brush, some paints, and a canvas, and paint! Get a camera! Shoot!
 
Plenty of wannabe filmmakers. Doesnt mean they are FILMMAKERS as Id define them. But... to be a real filmmaker... have to understand screenplays. As simple as that. If you can't understand the workings and everything about them as a director anyways, you are a wannabe.

Now obviously you never said anything about that just going off what Gale said lol so yeah sorry hijack a bit. But point is, try a workshop or class first, read a lot of screenplays, see if it's something you really want to do because it's gruelling. More so than a novel imo. I started reading some books, screenplays online, and classes at my local college then got into workshops as I knew had to keep doing it and get better.

So well... not really helping your initial question sorry, yeah search online best bet.
 
Wannabe? Want to be? Here is a start. Come to NY for this:

http://www.screenwriterssummit.com/

Summit speakers will be:
Syd Field
Linda Seger
Michael Hauge
John Truby

Another good workshop is Robert McKee's screenwriting workshop
www.mckeestory.com

If money is a factor, then buy their books and read, read, read. The bottom line is to start writing, even if it means ideas, scenes, treatments..... GOOD LUCK!!
 
Also JunK is correct. Get some screenplays, the good ones first and then the bad ones so you can know what NOT to write. Disect the screenplays, some good ones are Chinatown, Casablanca, Witness, Network, more recently The Squid and the Whale (excellent writing), everything Charlie Kaufman wrote (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). The bad ones, well I won't elaborate there are some aweful movies in Hollywood. Also get the movies on DVD and watch the directors commentary. The dvd also give you instant jumps to scenes, rewind, pausing, fastword, much better than vhs tape. In order Iwould read some good books on screenwriting first, take a workshop, then disect the screenplays. You can also do a search of all the movies that were nominated for Academy Awards and get those movies.
 
Instead of concentrating on the wannabe part, I'm looking at the "filmmaker." IMHO too many filmmakers don't get the writing part's importance. Cool to read stuff, but also understand how a bad movie can come from a great script and vice versa. People automatically assume that a bad movie means a bad script. Not always the case, so read multiple drafts of the "same" film. Script-O-rama has several drafts of films on their website. Must be the same out East as it is here, but you can also check out scripts at the WGA library (must read them there though). Check out the sticky Isaac's compiled as well. Good luck!

-Mischief
 
Man, did you guys hi-jack this thread, or what? Why all the advice he didn't ask for? He wants to know where to find a workshop, sheesh...

Try the writing section of craig's. I actually found a fabulous workshop group there, with other WGA, produced scribes. If you don't see any, just post a want ad there, I'm sure you'll get some bites.

Also, I've been invited to a few workshops through myspace of all places. If you search for screenwriters/filmmakers in your area, you're bound to find quite a few that can either point you in the right direction or help you start one.

Also, try scriptsales.com. Head over to their forum (the best out there) and either post an ad or ask around.

G' luck!
 
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