Introduction to Willamette Writers FilmLab 2015
On Tuesday, January 6th, at the Old Church in downtown Portland, Willamette Writers presents a special program devoted to FiLMLaB 2015.
FiLMLaB, now in its 4th year, already boasts an award-winning short film from year one, Alis Volat Propriis, by Portland writer, Haley Isleib. FiLMLaB Coordinator and Exec. Producer Ruth Witteried picks up the gauntlet in 2015 with her eye on even greater glory for a new short film production. Ruth has invited filmmaker Martin Vavra and 2014's winning writer, Jon Dragt, to take the walk of fame across the Old Church stage and answer questions you haven't even thought of yet.
The 2015 FiLMLaB contest winner will see their short film debuted at the Willamette Writers Conference in August at a free event that will be open to the public. Getting the chance to see your work come to life on the big screen is priceless, but there are many other perks to winning, not the least of which is the opportunity to work with a director and be on set while your story is filmed. Check the FiLMLaB Blog at http://willamettewriters.com/wwfilm/ for the latest information on contest rules, script limitations and guidelines, or on Facebook at FiLMLaB, and Twitter @WWFiLMLaB.
Mark your calendars for the membership meeting, January 6th. We roll out the red carpet at 6:30 folks, and the celebrity sightings start soon thereafter.
If you're scratching your head, wondering how to get started with a short film script, join us the following Saturday, January 10th, for a two-hour workshop with director Martin Vavra and screenwriter Randall Jahnson. This is your chance to explore short script writing and short film structure with two of the Pacific Northwest's filmmaking luminaries.
What are the fundamental differences between a feature length script and a short script, aside from the obvious page count?
Veteran screenwriter, teacher and producer, Randall Jahnson (The Doors, Mask of Zorro), is going to tap his storytelling experience to assist Willamette Writers members in learning the fundamental rules of short script writing and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Martin Vavra will share his behind-the-camera experience as a director, producer and editor to provide a nuts and bolts perspective on what happens to a script when it leaves the writer's hands and enters production.
Winning 2014 screenwriter, Jon Dragt, and FiLMLaB executive producer, Ruth Witteried will be on hand to answer questions about the contest and, yes, you do get a credit in IMDb if your script wins.
Location: Robinwood Station (3706 Cedaroak Drive, West Linn)
Time: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. See http://www.robinwoodstation.org/ for more information.
Registration for WW members is $15 and $20 for non-members. Watch the weekly announcements for additional details, or follow the news at willamettewriters.com.