
Monday, April 12, 2010
OBS VIEWING PARTY FOR TREME!

Friday, April 9, 2010
I WRITE TO PLEASE...WHO?
There's so much on my mind when it comes to writing it's difficult to get it on the page. One of the things that keeps coming back is the question, as a writer what is your priority? What I mean is, do you write to tell the stories you always wanted to tell; the ones that are in your head, on your heart, that relate to your surroundings? Or do you tell the stories you think others want to hear? -The stories you think people will find acceptable.Now, this is a question that has several parts and angles and I want to address it as such - so I'll start here.
Looking at the above questions as a screenwriter - being asked to adapt a novel and you do your best. Your best turns out to win you an Oscar, Geoffrey Fletcher, Best Adapted Screenplay. The first African-American to win this award, a triumphant feat for a job well done. The novel was written by Sapphire and is the compilation of her thoughts, experiences, surroundings, fantasies, and reflections of things she has seen or been told. If you read the novel, you know that it was a difficult read in many aspects, but still it was through the pen/mind of Sapphire the way she wanted us to see it. Later, someone came along, read it, and saw it as a challenge. They read a story so compelling that they were willing to take their money to bring it to life on the big screen. The characters were strong and complicated. To bring that to the screen required the actors to reach deep inside to places they didn't know exist with them them. However, they did it so well, Mo'Nique and Gabourey Sidibe, were both nominated and Mo'Nique won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress respectively. As well as, the vision of the screenplay, through the eyes of the director, Lee Daniels, who was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Director. As difficult as the story is to comprehend, it is still thought provoking and deserved to be told. I think Geoffrey did an extraordinary job in allowing us to get a glimpse of how twisted the characters were without totally grossing us out and Lee did an awesome job in bringing us the symmetry of the visual darkness; no windows, no friends, no role models, no fresh air, just their damp hovel.
All of the above to say that as late as yesterday, I was engaged in a debate as to how horrible the film was (the persons I was speaking with thought it was horrible NOT me). The participants questioned why the movie was made. why did the actresses, screenwriter, and director get nominated for such a film. why have the only Black people that received Oscars of late been those that have portrayed roles of undesirable characters. For the role Denzel Washington played in "Training Day" and Halle Berry played in "Monsters Ball"? My answer was simple - "...they deserved it." I had to question if this is really the question that should have been ask or if that was the reason they were so upset. But they blamed the screenwriter, the author, the director, the actor, and the actresses...
My question again, "Why Do We Write?" Do you write to tell the stories you always wanted to tell, the ones that are in your head, on your heart, that relate to your surroundings, Or do you tell the stories that you think other people want to hear? - The stories that people (Black people) will find acceptable.
Friday, April 2, 2010
WHO WILL WIN?

Saturday, March 20, 2010
We'd also like to congratulate
GEOFFREY FLETCHER ON HIS OSCAR FOR
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
FOR HIS SCREENPLAY FOR THE FILM PRECIOUS.
As well as being the first African-Amercan Male to receive this award! You make us proud!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
SCREENWRITING CONTEST - IS THERE BIAS?

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
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
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.
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
Christy Gamble
Camille Tucker
Tracy Grant
Where & When
Insurance Building
1999 West Adams Blvd.Los Angeles, California 90018
"Don't Go" - Written/Produced/Directed by Kevin Epps
"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
"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
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.
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.
For more information contact:
Organization of Black Screenwriters, OBS
Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Building
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"
Wed., Aug 26th - 7 - 9:30pm- Animation Pitch Panel
Presented in partnership w/Blacks in animation & Visual Effects, (BAVFX)PITCH!
INVITED GUESTS INCLUDE:
Dwayne Corbitt - Co-President / Partner, Farcor Studios, Da Jammies (New series)
Sidney Clifton - President/Producer Sanctuary Enterprises
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Sun., Aug 30th 11am - 3:30pm
- UCLA Writers' Faire 2009
The Writers Faire will be held in the Young Hall Courtyard on the UCLA campus
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.
Organization of Black Screenwriters OBS Golden State Mutual Life Ins Bldg 1999 W Adams Blvd, Conference Room Los Angeles CA 90018
Saturday, July 25, 2009
CREATING ANIMATED CONTENT
WORKSHOPS
- DAY 1: WORKSHOP
7:00 -- 9:30 PM
Creating Animated Content for Online and Off!
You've had an animated idea for years, but you never quite thought you could pull it off.
Well, think again! Creating your own animated content is easier than ever, and Shawnee' and Shawnelle Gibbs, web series creators and producers, will help you discover your inner-animator. This workshop will provide attendees with hands-on information on how an idea can go from page to stage with little to-know budget required.
Techniques Explored: Flash Animation, Traditional Hand-Drawn and Stop Motion
OBS members Shawnee Gibbs and Shawnelle Gibbs are an award-winning hybrid team with credits in writing, producing, and animation. They are the creators of the animated short film Ravishing Raspberry, and online animated series’ Adopted by Aliens and Old Ladies Driving, which have screened in film festivals across the country, as well as online, and television.
Shawnee and Shawnelle have been dubbed part of “The next generation of Filmmakers,” by The Oakland Tribune, highlighted in UVC Magazine’s, “Black Women Who Rock in Comics” issue, and have been featured filmmakers on BET.com. The Gibbs Sisters work in television during the day and are members of The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Producing credits include Emmy-Award winning Top Chef, Emmy-nominated Project Runway, as well as contributions to Disney’s Emmy-nominated Wizards of Waverly Place.
LOCATION:
GOLDEN STATE MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE BLDG.
MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM
1999 WEST ADAMS BLVD., LA, CA 90018.
FREE Parking in the rear of the building on Hobart Avenue off Adams Blvd.
PLEASE RSVP ASAP!
WORKSHOP FEE:
$10 -- MEMBERS
$15 -- NON-MEMBERS
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- Day 2: Workshop
7:00 - 9:30 PM
From Page to Stage!
In the second day of this 2-day workshop, participants will continue to explore techniques for creating, recording sound and publishing their own cartoons for online and off. With creativity and simplicity, each participant will realize their own cartoon prowess, while developing ideas that can become the basis for the next step: a successful pitch.
LOCATION:
Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Bldg.
1999 West Adams Blvd., LA, CA 90018.
FREE Parking in the rear of the building on Hobart Avenue off Adams Blvd.
PLEASE RSVP ASAP!
WORKSHOP FEE:
$10 - MEMBERS
$15 - NON-MEMBERS
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Wed., August 26th
- Day 3: Workshop
7:00 - 9:30 PM
Presented in partnership with 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 of you to actually pitch your project and receive invaluable feedback! Invited guests include:
Karen Rupert Toliver - VP Production - Twentieth Century Fox Animation
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 Insurance Bldg, Main Conference Room,
1999 West Adams Blvd., LA, CA 90018.
FREE Parking in the rear of the building on Hobart Avenue off Adams Blvd.
PLEASE RSVP ASAP!
WORKSHOP FEE:
$10 - MEMBERS
$15 - NON-MEMBERS
We look forward to you attending our August is Animation events.
PLEASE RSVP for all events via telephone or preferably email. jwilliams@obswriter.com
310.844.8755
All fees can be paid at the door.
SEE YOU IN AUGUST!
Friday, July 24, 2009
IT'S ABOUT ANIMATION IN AUGUST AT OBS
presents
Animation in August
Summertime is the time for huge box office. Much of that box office is animated features. Therefore, OBS has solicited the partnership of Black in Animation &Visual Effects, (BAVFX) with some other special people to bring you the best information available to share with the OBS family.
Animation is one of the most vivid and lucrative forms of entertainment in today’s Industry. From Pixar and Disney to Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and the Web, there are more outlets to distribute animated content than ever before. For those seeking entrée into this once highly exclusive career field, now is one of the best times to learn how to become a part of this successful genre and how to create content for it.
Our overall objective this month is to inform our members about writing for and creating animated content in today’s market. As writers, we are aware of animation, but many of us don’t know the first thing about writing for it—or what it takes to create and bring such projects to life. Join us in August for an in-depth exploration of Animation, an art-form Walt Disney once said, “can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive.” We’ll host our General Meeting on August 1st, followed by three (3) consecutive Wednesdays beginning August 12th, August 19th, & August 26th.
OBS General Meeting
Sat., August 1, 2009
We’ve invited a group of multi-faceted industry professionals to provide attendees with inside knowledge on how to work in animation; the current climate of animation; the differences in 3D, television, and feature film, and how to bring your animated ideas to life. Joining us on our panel will be:
Ralph Farquhar – Co-President/Partner of Farcor Studios
Executive Producer, The Proud Family, Da Jammies (new series)
Kwesi Davis – Production Engineer, Dreamworks’ Madagascar, Shrek The Third, Kung Fu Panda
David Wyatt – Writer, The Proud Family, Class of 3000, OBS Board of Director
Jason Van Veen – Writer, Boondocks
Greg Eagles – Voice-Over Actor, AfroSamurai, Grim Adventures of Bill & Mandy
Daveed Kolodny-Nagy – Independent animator, Creator, Teapot
Tyree Dillihay – Animator/Director, Da Jammies, El Tigre, Read-A-Book
James A. ‘Jim’ Simon - Animator/Director, X-Men, Doug, Pac Man, Alvin & the Chipmunks, California Raisins, Smurfs, and much, much, more.
We’ll also have other special guests for the August meeting; Doreene Hamilton, Executive Director Cosby Program; Meg DeLoatch, Executive Producer/Writer along with all our regular segments.
OBS meeting is held at the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Bldg, Main Conference Room, 1999 West Adams Blvd., LA, CA 90018.
The meeting is FREE to Members with valid OBS Membership card.
$20 - Non-Members & visitors (CASH ONLY), which can be applied towards membership if you join at the meeting. FREE Parking in the rear of the building on Hobart Avenue off Adams Blvd.
PLEASE RSVP ASAP!
jwilliams@obswriter.com
310.844.8755
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE...
Here’s how it works...
Join at the any of the levels below and receive 15 months membership for the 12 month membership fee. If you renew your membership in May you will also receive the benefit of getting 3 bonus months.
Professional $115 yr.
General Member $ 90 yr.
Affiliate (Out-Of-State) $ 75 yr.
Student (w/Valid Picture ID) $ 50 yr.
International $115 yr.
Ex. – May 1 2009 – May 31, 2010; would be May 1, 2009 – August 31, 2010
In June, (June 1st) our membership fees will increase. So join now and take advantage of the savings and bonus months!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
OBS UPCOMING EVENTS...
SAVE THE DATES
OBS 2009 Original Script Contest OPENS Fri., May 1, 2009
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Next OBS Meeting - Larry Wilmore
Writer/Executive Producer 10AM - 12:30PM Sat., May 2, 2009
Author of the book: “I'd Rather We Got Casinos: And Other Black Thoughts”
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Dramatic Read 10AM - 2PM Sat., May 9, 2009
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Special Screening “Dancing in September” - 7PM Thurs., May 14, 2009
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OBS Presents - A, B, & C - “A Breakfast & Conversation
w/Isaiah Washington” Sat., May 16, 2009
Actor/Producer/Writer/Humanitarian
9 – 11 AM
$45 Members /$55 Non-Members In advance
$55 Members /$65 Non-Members At the Door
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OBS On Tour Northern CA – UC Berkeley May 22 & 23, 2009
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Night At the Movies – Short Film Showcase 7PM Thurs., May 28, 2009
$7 per person
Featuring Films By: Lydia Martinelli, Patricia Tone, Filmmaker, Joyce Fitzpatrick, and more…
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Invited Guests: Denise Dowes, Brian White, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Vanessa A. Williams
Anthony anderson, Yvette Nicole Brown, Tatyana Ali, Karen Malina White, and more…
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OBS Family Picnic Kenneth Hahn Park Sat., June 13, 2009
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OBS Presents – Special Screening- Wed., June 17, 2009
“The Guest at Central Park West”
Starring: John Marshall Jones, Actor/Producer/Writer
Red Carpet – Screening – Q&A – Rooftop Reception
6:30 PM - Midnight
$35 Members /$45 Non-Members In advance
$45 Members /$55 Non-Members At the Door
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OBS On Tour New York – New York University June 26 & 27, 2009
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OBS 2009 Original Script Contest ENDS Tues., June 30, 2009
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CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS:
www.obswriter.com
OR CALL
310.844.8755
