OBS at the 17th Annual Pan African Film and Arts FestivalSaturday, February 14, 2009
Written by: Monique Reed
This year the Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) was held at the Culver Theatre in Culver City. On, 2/14/09 OBS held a workshop/ panel discussion titled:
“So, You Finished Your Script! Now What?”
This was a great, informative, and interactive discussion for aspiring filmmakers. It was exciting to see more than 80 people in attendance for this event. In case you missed it – check out the topics discussed:
“Quick & Dirty Loglines & Pitches” presented by: Lisa Bolekaja.
Talking about your film idea can be nerve-racking. Lisa suggested talking about your film as if it is already in the theaters, and to imagine you’re talking to your friends. This helps to relieve the nerves.
Another tip given was to have your logline and pitch memorized, instead of reading it off of a sheet of paper. Energy and delivery are keys to a good pitch meeting.
Want help with creating a logline?
Lisa gave samples of quick logline templates, for example:
The Plot Driven Logline: (Title) is a (Genre) about (Protagonist) who must (Objective) or else (Dire thing will happen if Protagonist fails). Created by Max Adams, Writer
“The Screenwriter’s Survival Guide”.
After Lisa’s presentation, there was a discussion w/ Q&A with an industry panel that included presentation by the PGA, WGA, and Production Company. The OBS Industry Panel included, Charles Howard, Lamese Williams, Kellie Griffin, Rene Rawls, and David Wyatt, who all gave important tips. For example:
1) Writers, Re-write. Once you complete your screenplay let others critique it. A draft usually can have up to at least four re-writes before shopping it around.
2) Don’t be afraid to take low paying jobs to get your foot in the door, especially for television.
3) Have more than one plan of action: 1) enter scripts in contest 2) Query agents, managers, and production companies, 3) participate in industry events/network with others.
Want more information? Check out the next OBS meeting.
What was your favorite event or movie at the PAFF?
“Quick & Dirty Loglines & Pitches” presented by: Lisa Bolekaja.
Talking about your film idea can be nerve-racking. Lisa suggested talking about your film as if it is already in the theaters, and to imagine you’re talking to your friends. This helps to relieve the nerves.
Another tip given was to have your logline and pitch memorized, instead of reading it off of a sheet of paper. Energy and delivery are keys to a good pitch meeting.
Want help with creating a logline?
Lisa gave samples of quick logline templates, for example:
The Plot Driven Logline: (Title) is a (Genre) about (Protagonist) who must (Objective) or else (Dire thing will happen if Protagonist fails). Created by Max Adams, Writer
“The Screenwriter’s Survival Guide”.
After Lisa’s presentation, there was a discussion w/ Q&A with an industry panel that included presentation by the PGA, WGA, and Production Company. The OBS Industry Panel included, Charles Howard, Lamese Williams, Kellie Griffin, Rene Rawls, and David Wyatt, who all gave important tips. For example:
1) Writers, Re-write. Once you complete your screenplay let others critique it. A draft usually can have up to at least four re-writes before shopping it around.
2) Don’t be afraid to take low paying jobs to get your foot in the door, especially for television.
3) Have more than one plan of action: 1) enter scripts in contest 2) Query agents, managers, and production companies, 3) participate in industry events/network with others.
Want more information? Check out the next OBS meeting.
What was your favorite event or movie at the PAFF?
1 comment:
You asked this question on your blog: What movie did you enjoy most at PAFF this year?
I was present and enjoyed several of the films, but this one resonants with me most:
"Skin" based on the true story of a woman who was genetically born to white parents, but a rare pigmentation in her skin caused her to look black and she was treated as such during Africa's aparthied.
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