Thursday, August 20, 2009

SCREENWRITING CONTEST - IS THERE BIAS?


I’m trying to become a more visual and active blogger, but sometimes the schedule is so hectic I can’t find the time to sit and write. I really need to get that software that you can speak into and it types it for you; something for me to consider.

I’m really excited though and need to write, because this past few weeks has been amazing for inspiration. I attended the Screenwriters Lab Networking mixer and met some really cool people. OBSWG#1 has been meeting weekly for the past two weeks and we’ll meet again this Saturday, but the scripts we’ve reviewed have been incredible. Our discussion and feedback from everyone has been exceptional to say the least. I also meet with our new group OBSWG#9 and that was out there. We had projects that ranged from science fiction, family drama, to erotica! I was impressed. Can’t wait to see the new generation of screenwriters and television shows – these writers are remarkable. If you’re not already you need to attach yourself to a writers’ group.

Last night was another magnificent gathering of writers’ adding another dimension. As you know we’re into our “August is Animation” and Shawnee & Shawnelle Gibbs, Terence Anderson & Ajamu Frasier took it to another level. I want FLASH! WOW! The stories I could tell. It took me back to the erotica story. You can really push the envelope with animation. You should have been there.

Anyway, I’m sharing this because lately I’ve been getting lots of questions. A couple of days ago, this one came to me.

I received a question a few days ago regarding screenwriting contest. “Is it me or does anyone see that black screenwriting contest are as biased as white screenplay contest?”


I was puzzled and asked, what do you mean by bias? But then proceeded to answer the question this way… Judging at best is subjective at every level across professions and screenwriting contests are no different. I find that contests are bias, if you choose to use that term, according to what they're looking for. The OBS contest is looking to expose "new writers" to the Industry. OBS is giving winners an opportunity to take a meeting with studios/networks that are competing. The bias as I see it would be if you have a commercially viable script. Studios and networks are looking for numbers of butts you can put in the seats to watch their television show, or pay to see their movie. They are interested in how much money can I make if I produce this project.

I don’t see it as having much to do with whether it’s a black contest or a white contest as much as it has to do with the objective of the contest.

That’s the short answer.

Question screenwriters, how do you feel about it? Do you think there is bias in screenwriting contest? Do you think “race” is an issue, when it comes to who’s running the contest? I’d really like to know.

Keep writing,

Jennifer
P.S. - The deadline for the 2009 OBS Original Script contest has been extended to August 31st and a new category added; "Spec Script". For more info: http://www.obswriter.com/2009script.html

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

NIGHT AT THE MOVIES

OBS PRESENTS "NIGHT AT THE MOVIES - SHORT FILM SHOWCASE"

OBS FALL SEASON BEGINS!

"Night at the Movies" - Short Film Showcase!


We start this fall season with a great short film showcase line-up. Not only will we continue to feature very talented writers/directors/filmmakers in the Los Angeles area, but this fall will bring the preview of the new comedy sweeping the Internet, "Poetri-N-Motion" written by OBS's own 1st Vice President, Kimberly Allen! We invite you to share the vision of these writers/directors/filmmakers, to support, and encourage them as you view their message through their eyes behind the camera.
We've also reduced the admission:
OBS MEMBERS $5
NON-MEMBERS $7!

We look forward to seeing you for a ...."Night at the Movies"

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OBS PRESENTS "NIGHT AT THE MOVIES" --A Short Film Showcase

FEATURING FILMMAKERS:


Kimberly Allen
Deon Hayman
Excel A. Sharrieff
Devin "Poetri" Smith
J. Christopher Smith
David Wendell Boykins
D. Kevin Epps
Christy Gamble
Danny Martinez
Camille Tucker
Keta Brown
Sheilah Brooks
Tamika Lamison

Hosted by:
Tracy Grant

Where & When
OBSGolden State Mutual Life
Insurance Building
1999 West Adams Blvd.Los Angeles, California 90018
Thursday, September 17, 2009
7:00PM-10:00PM

"Don't Go" - Written/Produced/Directed by Kevin Epps
"Don't Go" - A young woman conflicted within an abusive relationship endures a supernatural encounter from a surprising source in order to see her way through. -- 17:00 minutes

"Thorn of A Rose" - Directed by Danny Martinez
"Thorn of A Rose" - Rosa, a beautiful woman working in the wrong business finds herself in the middle of a moral dilemma, but with advice from the strangest source, she must choose what's right for her heart. -- 9:00 minutes

"Concrete River" - Written/Directed/Produced by David Wendell Boykins
"Concrete River" - A young man grieving the death of his older brother is persuaded by a childhood bully to ride against his brother's enemies. Concrete River is the story of how fear can consume the spirit and take you places you can never come back from. -- 16:43 minutes

"Poetri-N-Motion" - Written by Kimberly Allen/ Directed by Deon Hayman/Produced by Excel A. Sharrieff, J. Christopher Smith, Devin "Poetri" Smith and Juren Smith
"Rain" - A comedy pilot about a poet who inherits a million dollars with one
huge string attached - he has to fix up a dilapidated coffee shop in 30 days and
run the business for five years before he sees one red cent. -- 30:00 minutes

"Spin" - Written by Camille Tucker, Keta Brown & Sheilah Brooks
Directed by Tamika Lamison
"Spin" - Once one of L.A.'s top book publicists Alex Burke could spin any story to the
benefit of her clients and the detriment of her enemies. Her whole world changed the
day she met James Hughes, a former National Fiction Award winner, whose last three novels bombed. Engulfed by James' sexuality, talent, and need for her, Alex was sprung. So sprung, she's lied to save James' ailing career. Two days before the big press conference to introduce James’s new novel to the nation’s top critics, Alex discovers that every lie has a consequence. Even her own. - 25:00 minutes


Thursday, September 17, 2009
7:00PM - 10:00PM

ADMISSION: $5 - OBS MEMBERS
$7 - NON-MEMBERS
SNACK BAR AVAILABLE



Come and enjoy a relaxing evening with the creative visions of determined and passionate individuals. Meet the writers/directors/filmmakers and network.

Q&A with each writer/director/filmmaker will follow the films.
Feel free to invite friends and family.
Please RSVP to jwilliams@obswriter.com
Place "Night at the Movies" in the subject line and in the body of the email state your name, contact info, & how many will be attending.
You can also RSVP via telephone (310) 844-8755


For more information contact:
Kimberly Allen - kallen@obswriter.com
(310) 844-8755


Organization of Black Screenwriters, OBS
Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Building
Los Angeles, California 90018
www.obswriter.com

DON'T MISS THESE
UPCOMING
OBS EVENTS



Wed., Aug 19th - 7 - 9:30pm
- Animation Workshop

Web Cartoon Creators Shawnee & Shawnelle Gibbs ("Adopted By Aliens," "Old Ladies Driving" & "Diva Smackdown") are joined by Terence Anthony ("Orlando's Joint") and Ajamu Frasier ("Monkkey") to teach you how to move your animated idea from page to stage. Location: Golden State Mutual Life Bldg
1999 West Adams Blvd., LA, CA 90018
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Tues., Aug 25th 7pm - 1am
TUESDAY NIGHT LIVE!
FREE // Screening WITH Q&A of - "Applause for MISS E"
Written By: David Wendell Boykins Directed By: Michael Whaley
Ultra Lounge (Located behind the Industry Café & Jazz Club) 6039 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232 AFTER FILM - Party to the sounds of DJ TrayBoogie on the 1s & 2s! Come early (6PM) and dinner in the Industry Café & Jazz before the screening our simply purchase food when you arrive.
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Wed., Aug 26th - 7 - 9:30pm- Animation Pitch Panel
Presented in partnership w/Blacks in animation & Visual Effects, (BAVFX)PITCH!
- You've created a great animated project, now, who, where, & how to pitch it.
We've invited some heavyweights to provide helpful hints and pitching techniques with an opportunity for one or two individuals to pitch and receive feedback!

INVITED GUESTS INCLUDE:
Karen Rupert Toliver - VP Production - Twentieth Century FOX Animation
Ralph Farquhar - Co-President /Partner, Farcor Studios, Da Jammies (New series)
Dwayne Corbitt - Co-President / Partner, Farcor Studios, Da Jammies (New series)
Sidney Clifton - President/Producer Sanctuary Enterprises
Roland Poindexter - VP of Original Animation Programming, Nickelodeon
Eric Elder - Ow! Entertainment
MODERATOR
Krystal Cooper - Chair, Blacks in Animation & VFX, LA ACM SIGGRAPH Membership Chair
Location: Golden State Mutual Life Bldg1999 West Adams Blvd., LA, CA 90018
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Sun., Aug 30th 11am - 3:30pm
- UCLA Writers' Faire 2009
Join OBS at the Writers Faire, presented by the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program. This whirlwind event includes 24 mini-panels and lectures where you can hear lively discussions about the art, craft, and business of writing. And it’s free.

The Writers Faire will be held in the Young Hall Courtyard on the UCLA campus
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Sat., Sept. 12, 2009
-10am - 12:30pm
OBS GENERAL MEETING

OBS will hold it's regular monthly meeting, but there will be nothing regular about it!
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Mark your calendar and plan to be there!


RSVP to jwilliams@obswriter.com
Admission to the meeting is FREE for members, with a valid Membership card presented at the time of the meeting.

All visitors and guests pay only $20 at the door that is applied toward membership fee if you join at the end of the meeting. (Cash or Money order only)

See our website for more details, www.obswriter.com.
Where: 1999 W. Adams Blvd. - LA, CA 90018 www.obswriter.com




Organization of Black Screenwriters OBS Golden State Mutual Life Ins Bldg 1999 W Adams Blvd, Conference Room Los Angeles CA 90018