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"Scripted Readings: Does the Story Work?" What You Missed

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On Saturday January 30th, 2010, the Steeltown Film Factory hosted a panel discussion entitled "Scripted Readings: Does the Story Work?" The event was not only SOLD OUT, but also another successful step in accomplishing Steeltown's mission to spur interest in the entertainment industry in Pittsburgh.

The event, sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University, allowed 10 semi-finalists to have their screenplays read aloud by CMU prestigious School of Drama students. After each reading, the panelists, a wide range of successful current and expatriate Pittsburghers in the entertainment field, were given time to critique the scripts and add suggestions. The next step of the contest will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2010, when, the NOW 5 Semi-Finalaists, will pitch their films to another set of industry professionals.

Below are some photographs from the January 30th event.

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Steeltown Production Team

February 18, 2010 (All day)

A Report on the Steeltown Film Factory Script Contest and Reading

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I went to Steeltown Film Factory's Script Contest and Reading today. I think Carl, Jodi, Kris and the rest of the Steeltown team have done many interesting things related to promoting filmmaking in Pittsburgh over the last few years. While I did not have anything entered in the contest, I was curious to hear other people's short scripts be read and evaluated. The contest, which ran in November and December of last year, attracted 110 entries and announced 10 semi-finalists. Based on today's judging, there will be five finalists who'll be given a week to revise their scripts based on judges' comments (and, one hopes, the audience's reactions).

Drama students from CMU table-read the scripts. Final script judges were Asher Garfinkel, President of Readers Unlimited, Author, Screenplay Analysis: The Art and the Business, Bernie Goldmann, Producer, 300, Land of the Dead, Minette Seate, Senior Producer, WQED Multimedia, and Laura Harkcom who co-wrote The Lost Room. It was very interesting to hear the judge's reactions to the scripts.

I wasn't a judge, and I liked all 10 of the semi-finalist scripts presented. But, in my opinion, these were the four best scripts of the day:

"N'At" by Adriana Ramires. The strongest script of the semifinalists, with the riskiest theme - when is a rape a rape? And how does the rapist deal with it? Very good characterizations, good sense of place.
"Jed the Humanoid" by Nate Minier. A fantasy about a robot who lands in 1996 and tries to adjust. Very funny; think of it as The Terminator turned inside out. The two stoners Jed winds up with were right out of "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." You can even friend Jed on Facebook!
"Roll the Dice" by Lawrence Phillips, Dave Fedor, Joe Wincgryk, II and John Freightner (AKA the comedy team Hustlebot). A script by four guys submitted to a contest about four guys who won a script contest and took their winnings to a casino to try to win more...Hysterical in places, and self-referential in a Charlie Kaufman kind of way.
"Lightweight" by Randy Kovitz & Deborah Hosking. A young woman returns to Pittsburgh after her father dies, and sees the clash between classic Yinzers and the rest of the world. Nice touch of magical realism, many good jokes about South Siders.

The contest judges will select five finalists, and I'll link to the list when they're announced.

I plan to go to the next Steeltown reading, which will be February 20th at Pitt, and see to how the five finalists revised their scripts. Steeltown will have information on that upcoming event soon!

http://www.dpsinfo.com/pghflicks/2010/01/report-on-steeltown-film-factory-script.html

January 30, 2010 (All day)

The Steeltown Film Factory Presents: "Scripted Readings Does the Story Work?"

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Steeltown Film Factory’s Second Panel Discussion

On Saturday, January 30, 2010, FILM FACTORY will hold its second event of the season with a public event entitled “Scripted Readings: Does the Story Work?” The ten semi-finalists will have their screenplays read publicly by the Acting Students of Carnegie Mellon University’s prestigious School of Drama, while a panel of judges listens in, critiques the screenplays, and shares their industry perspectives on what’s necessary to turn a good script into a great movie.

THE ESTEEMED PANELISTS FOR THIS SESSION INCLUDE:

Joe Coyle, Actor, “Ocean’s 11″ Producer, “Can’t Stop Dancing”

John Dellaverson, Lionsgate Producer, “Diary of a Mad Black Woman “

Asher Garfinkel, President of Readers Unlimited & Author, “Screenplay Analysis: The Art and the Business”

Bernie Goldmann , Producer, “300,” “Land of the Dead”

Moderator Carl Kurlander, Steeltown’s Executive Producer, “St. Elmo’s Fire, “Saved By the Bell”

TICKET PRICES: Tickets are $5.00 for students and $10.00 for adults.

Continental breakfast, light afternoon snacks and drinks provided.

~ by KChestneyHarvey on January 26, 2010.

http://pittsburghartandtech.org/2010/01/26/the-steeltown-film-factory-presentsscripted-readings-does-the-story-work

January 26, 2010 (All day)

Steeltown Film Factory

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Hey Pittsburgh, if you are even remotely interested in film or being apart of the movie making process, you should visit the Melwood Screening Room this Saturday at 10:30am. The Steeltown Entertainment Project event will be the official start of the Steeltown Film Factory competition – a yearlong film-making competition.

The morning will include a discussion about the filmmaking process, including “Getting Started: Where do good ideas, great scripts & talented filmmakers come from?”. If Saturday mornings aren’t your thing, maybe you can check out the opening of the Three Rivers Film Festival at the Concept Art Gallery in Regent Square on November 6, 2009 @ 5:30pm – more info here.

According to their site:

The FILM FACTORY invites students (aged 16 and up) and amateur filmmakers to submit original film ideas for the competition. The FILM FACTORY will start accepting submissions on November 7th with the deadline closing on December 31, 2009. Submissions must include a 10-12 page script along with a logline, a one-page synopsis and an optional sample of prior work, and may be made via the FILM FACTORY website at www.SteeltownFilmFactory.org/register.

The judges for the competition are professional actors, writers, directors, and more – including, Peter Ackerman (writer, Ice Age); Doug Crise (editor, Babel); Todd Eckert (producer, Control); Melissa Martin (writer, The Bread My Sweet); and Bernie Goldmann (producer, 300) just to name a few.

http://boringpittsburgh.com/events/steeltown-film-factory/465/

November 6, 2009 (All day)

Steel Town Film Factory Kickoff Event Nov. 7

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The Steeltown Entertainment Project will be launching their newest project Steeltown Film Factory on November 7, 2009. The Steeltown Film Factory invites students and amateur filmmakers (and screenwriters) to submit original film ideas for the competition.

Submissions must include a 10-12 page script along with a logline, a one-page synopsis and an optional sample of prior work (scripts or reels). All submissions will be required to be: Relevant to the SWPA/Pittsburgh region. Commercially viable. Capable of being produced in the SWPA/Pittsburgh area during Summer 2010. Submissions will be reviewed by a selection panel. The most promising screenplays will be developed into full-fledged productions thru staged readings, panel discussions and public workshops, which will be open to the public.

Call for submissions will open in November and continue thru December 31, 2009.

Fees: $50; $25 for students with valid ID
THE PRIZE: The total prize package is worth $25,000. This prize is available to be used to produce the winning film or films. One to three short films will be chosen and the funds will be divided and awarded at the discretion of the judges. The winning film(s) will premiere at the Three Rivers Film Festival in November 2010. More details to come.

About : Lindsay started writing about Pittsburgh in 2005 and hasn't stopped since. She likes popcorn and hopes to learn to skateboard someday soon. She also blogs at Pittsburgh.metblogs.com