Showing posts with label writers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writers. Show all posts

Saturday, October 29, 2011


               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE       

                                                                                              Contact:
JaSheika James
                                                                                                                                  (323) 735-2050
                                                                                                                                  jjames@obswriter.com
                                                                                                                            contactus@obswriter.com  
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"OBS Among Nominating Partners for Fox Writers Program"

OCTOBER 17, 2011 – LOS ANGELES: The Organization of Black Screenwriters (OBS) was chosen as one of the partnering organizations to nominate qualified candidates for the new Fox Diverse Writer's Program.  In partnership with Film Independent, who will administer the initiative, Fox has identified a select number of charitable organizations which have a history of fostering strong emerging talent from diverse backgrounds.  The selection reflects the expansion of OBS' reach and impact in the entertainment community.  “OBS exists to support the development of qualified writers and it is collaborations like this with Fox Writers’ Program that will enable us to reach this goal,” stated OBS President, Jennifer Williams.

Other participating organizations include:
        * Film Independent
        * Guy Hanks and Marvin Miller Writer’s Program
        * Coalition of Asian Pacific in Entertainment
        * National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
        * National Association of Latino Independent Producers
        * East West Players
        * Women In Film Los Angeles
And there are others.

The Fox Writer's Intensive ("FWI") is a highly selective writer's initiative, held at the Fox Studios in Los Angeles, CA, from February 2012 through May 2012. The Intensive is designed to introduce experienced writers with unique voices, backgrounds, life and professional experiences that reflect the diverse perspectives of the audiences we create for to a wide range of Fox staff writers, showrunners, directors, screenwriters and creative executives. These collective individuals will work with the selected writers to build on both their general craft and the business of writing for television, feature films and digital content with an added goal of creating a viable resource of experienced staffing opportunities.
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Founded in 1988 to address the lack of black representation among writers within the entertainment industry, OBS is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization.  For more information on OBS, the Tour and Workshop registration, please visit www.obswriter.com.

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Friday, January 7, 2011

OBS BEGINS 2011 WITH A BANG

IT'S 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
TIME FOR
JANUARY OBS MEETING



DATE: Sat., January 8, 2011
TIME: 10AM - 1:00PM

LOCATION:
CBS STUDIO CENTER
4024 Radfor Avenue, Bldg. 8, MPR#3
Studio City, CA 91604
323.735.2050

MANDATORY RSVP: contactus@obswriter.com

Happy New Year! Make sure you start the year off right. It's time for Goal Setting, Calendar Planning, Writer Group Connections, and more. This meeting will have all of this.

We have a great monthly meeting in store for all in attendance. We have our Top 10 @ 10, Discussion of the 2011 OBS Writers' Retreat Jamaica, & On the Grind. All will provide you with great information, plus we'll hear from members that have been making things happen. Our sell of the book "HELLIFIED" By Tracy Grant continues, as well as, there will be raffle tickets available for FINAL DRAFT 8 Raffle.

Mark your calendars because you won't want to miss this meeting. Out of State Members you'll have an opportunity to participate through a Live Webcast, through our website; http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=6remuqbab&et=1103983096072&s=0&e=00171pY3FGaYwvfmhVx-IavcNJgKVjX1jokPrnW7u0fLrjm7K43xTid_0nkR4-f2bgYc4Rdtm8ph9h1lsmBtQ1fCxSwS9tCAPBEucIfCEUUu7qCF29nGI49knvTe4he8quc305Ph4GBlIo=&id=preview

COMMITMENT - CONNECTION - COMMUNITY

OBS, A resource to help hone your craft and build your entertainment network.

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).

There's FREE parking in the parking structure, however you MUST be on the list to park.

MANDATORY RSVP @ mailto:jwilliams@obswriter.com NO LATER THAN 5pm FRIDAY, JANUARY 7th.

Please make sure you include the first & last names and the email address of each person that will be attending to make certain your name is on the list for admission/parking. IF YOUR NAME DOES NOT APPEAR ON LIST, YOU WON'T BE ALLOWED ON LOT. (Facility Map will be emailed to you once you RSVP).


Join Our Mailing List!

Organization of Black Screenwriters
OBS
Los Angeles, California 90010
323-735-2050


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2011 WRITERS'RETREAT - JAMAICA

Nov. 7 - 13, 2011

Creativity will flow as thte rushing waters of the falls!


SEVEN (7) GLORIOUS DAYS IN PARADISE TO CREATE!
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The Organization Of Black Screenwriters, non-profit organization - is pleased to present the 2011 Writers' Retreat - Jamaica., November 7 - 13, 2011, seven (7) days with facilitators,Tananarive Due & Steven Barnes.

This is your year to find the inspiration, ideas, and information you need to take your writing to the next level. Learn from the experts, mingle with the pros, and prepare to get your work to the right markets.es, writers will come together to free their creative juices in a natural, unspoiled oasis. In this unique environment, retreat participants are invited to choose between three distinct tracks of workshops designed for writers of all levels: the novice, the writer just giving birth to the thought, the experienced writer with work to revise, and the writer who has experience but wants to try a new genre or activity.

The 2011 Writers' Retreat - Jamaica has been organized to allow participants who chose to focus on existing work; while others engage in free writing exercises and focus on brainstorming and experimentation. Sessions on fiction, nonfiction, and screen writing will be provided. We'll even shoot a short film while on the island.

So don't hesitate to reserve your spot today. Space is limited!hite sands, crystal azure seas, and golden sunsets give way to an explosion of inspiration. All sessions take place in Ocho Rios on the beautiful island of Jamaica! Retreat participants will be housed in a cluster of surrounding private villas that are planked by private beaches and exotic gardens.


Total cost of retreat $1,850.00. Retreat includes; R/T airfare, writing workshops, a complimentary pool-side Rum Punch & 1/2 hour full body massage, a trip to Dunn's River Falls, an evening at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, R/T airport transportation from Montego Bay, and much, much, more!


A $250.00* deposit will reserve your space. All rooms accommodations in villas are double-occupancy, villas are first come, first serve basis.

* Payment plan available. The deposit of $250 covers the following; a $100 processing fee and $150 towards the balance of your trip.

Deposit $250 Due by: Janaury 31, 2011
1st Installment $284 Due by: February 25, 2011
2nd Installment $284 Due by: March 25, 2011
3rd Installment $284 Due by: April 25, 2011
4th Installment $284 Due by: May 25, 2011
5th Installment $284 Due by: June 25, 2011
6th Installment $284 Due by: July 25, 2011


LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE! ACT NOW!
to register, or more information:
OBS 2011 WRITERS RETREAT - JAMAICA
http://obsjamaicaretreat.eventbrite.com/


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OBS ON TOUR

Co-Sponsored by Final Draft
ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF
FINAL DRAFT 8!
($250 Value)

Purchase and get a chance to win the latest copy of the "BEST" script writing software ever! To purchase this software you will spend at lesast $250! Here you have a chance to get it for only $3!

Final Draft is the number-one selling scriptwriting software in the world. Writers like JJ Abrams, Jeffrey Fletcher, Aaron Sorkin and James Cameron use Final Draft software to write scripts for: Movies, Television, Animation, Theater, Graphic Novels, and More!

Purchase your raffle tickets online* or at our next meeting, January 12, 2011. All proceeds to benefit student scholarships for OBS On Tour 2011.

*(Note: When you purchase online, your Raffle #(s) will be emailed to you my our Membership Department upon verification of funds from PayPal).

RAFFLE BEGINS:
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2010
@ OBS Meeting

RAFFLE ENDS:
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011

DRAWING:
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH @ 11AM
During OBS Meeting

TICKETS:
$3.00 each Or
3 FOR $5.00
http://obsraffle.eventbrite.com/

Don't miss your opportunity to get the "BEST" screenwriting software ever!

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OBS ON TOUR


From another co-sponsor of OBS On Tour, as well as, a tour facilitator, Tracy Grant has donated copies of his debut novel, "Hellified" for purchase. All proceeds go to student scholarships for OBS On Tour.


HELLIFIED - By Tracy Grant
Love, friendship and the endless pursuit of a good time are among the themes that appear in Hellified, the debut novel from Tracy Grant.

One reviewer wrote: "Tracy Grant's HELLIFIED is a fabulous coming of age piece. There's enough going on with DJ Troy, Ill Will, the Black Student Union and their freshman adventures to keep you captivated. The two semester story and fast pace make this a great read. The DC backdrop with students partying and hitting the books, along with the frat brother scenes, are wonderful. Tracy Grant gives us a look at young black men who are far from stereotypical. Put this author up there with "The Best Man" and "The Brothers," this would make a great movie. I can't wait for the next book."

Purchase Price: $10.00 plus $3.99 shipping (Media Mail).
To purchase: http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=6remuqbab&t=9qwgyleab.0.0.6remuqbab.0&id=preview&ts=S0570&p=http%3A%2F%2Fobshellified.eventbrite.com%2F
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DON'T FORGET TO SETUP YOUR VIEWING PARTY!

From Creator/Director/Writer, Bentley Evans and Producer/Writer, Stacey Evans Morgan, is the premiere of the new hit television show

"LOVE THAT GIRL!"

starring Tatyana Ali, Monday, January 10th only on TV One.

Here's the link to find the TV One listing in your area. http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=6remuqbab&t=9qwgyleab.0.0.6remuqbab.0&id=preview&ts=S0570&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tvoneonline.com%2Finside_tvone%2Fchannel_listings.asp


Organization of Black Screenwriters - OBSJennifer Williams, Presidenthttp://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=6remuqbab&t=9qwgyleab.0.0.6remuqbab.0&id=preview&ts=S0570&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.obswriter.com%2F

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Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Television: Does Having Black Actors in Front of the Camera, Translate to Black Writers in the Room?


Towards the end of 2008, and nearly all of 2009 Black shows disappeared from television. It wasn't even a slow demise, one day they were there and the next they were all gone.


No more shows like, Family Matters, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Brandy, In the House, Living Single, Girlfriends, One On One, The Steve Harvey Show, The Parkers, Love, Inc., Eve, Fatherhood, Martin, For Your Love, Cuts, Between Brothers, Jamie Foxx Show, Brothers,

Sister, Sister, Moesha, Sparks, Out All Night, My Wife & Kids, Proud Family, Smart Guy, Roc, Malcolm & Eddie, Eve, The Game, Cosby, Bernie Mac, Everybody Hates Chris, Just Jordan, All Of Us, Half & Half, Second Time Around, Fresh Prince of Bel Aire, and Sherri -just to name a few.


Now there's an influx of shows that have Blacks in the ensemble cast, but nothing like those I just named are visible on television. Well, there's Grey's with four (4) from time to time and Shonda Rhimes as it's creator - she's also the creator of Private Practice - but the question remains, does that translate to Blacks in the room?


Why does that matter? First, there are many talented Black writers that have created shows with more in their arsenal as well as many undiscovered talent waiting to share their shows with the television viewing audience; but they need to get that in-house experience so they can then bring us their vision. Second, there's that authentic voice for the characters. The voice that sometimes only a Black person can bring. The one that rings true for their roots, their heritage, where they live, and their culture, the family dynamics.


At the end of 2010, with a Black President in Office, we still have ensemble cast, but also blacks as the lead characters in Undercovers & The Event on network television. Then there seems to be a trickle of the return of Black sitcoms with Are We There Yet (Ice Cube & Ali LeRoi) on cable; and coming are the return of The Game (Mara Brock Akil), Love That Girl (Bentley Kyle Evans & Stacey Evans Morgan), Reed Between the Lines (Kellie R. Griffin & Arthur Harris), & Let's Stay Together (Queen Latifah).


What do we have to do to bring back the numbers that existed in '80s & '90s? What do we have to do to see Black dramas? What will it take to get our Black Creatives working again? Are webisodes on the Internet our only answer?