Read 'Download the 2012 Oscar nominated screenplays' at http://www.SellingYourScreenplay.com.

If you would like to read any of the screenplays that were nominated for an academy award this year, you can find them here: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57359896-10391698/download-scripts-of-award-contenders/.

Reading screenplays is one of the best ways to improve as a writer. Good luck.

Read 'From Dream to Screen workshop with Alan Denman' at http://www.SellingYourScreenplay.com.

Alan Denman is having a workshop and he wanted me to pass along the information to my readers. I met Alan about a month ago. Inbetween his writing and directing gigs he offers a host of services to aspiring screenwriters. He’s smart, down-to-earth, and I think if you’re in the Los Angeles area you could really benefit from his upcoming workshop. Here is the information.

To learn more about this workshop go here: http://www.script-to-screen.com/Script-to-screen/FROM_DREAM_TO_SCREEN.html

FROM DREAM TO SCREEN

How to write great screenplays that will engage audiences and producers

Sat. 11 Feb, 10 – 5

Vidiots, 302 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica CA 90405

Course fee: $75

British writer/producer/director, Alan Denman, presents a one day workshop designed to inspire and empower writers and filmmakers hungry to get their feature script made. This course will reveal the secrets of great storytelling, how to unleash your own creative power and raise your status in the game.

The day will be divided into four parts with breaks between each.

1. What Really Drives Us

What fuels our imagination and animates our creativity? How can we utilize that magic moment when ideas burst forth and develop them into an original story? This opening session looks at the hidden processes within film viewing and storytelling and the qualities required to be a great screenwriter.

2. The Secrets of Great Storytelling

The five key principles of storytelling and how to get an audience to engage with your Protagonist, draw them into your story world and keep them there. Invaluable tools for screenwriters and an instant test to see if your story has the necessary components.

LUNCH

3. Think Like A Producer

To be in the business you have to know the business. This session will provide you with a clear overview of the production process from dream to screen plus tips on how to raise your status as a writer and think like a producer.

4. Make Your Story Universal!

The most successful screenplays have great themes that address the major questions of human existence and also utilize ancient primal story patterns. A grasp of archetypes will enlarge your power as a storyteller and give your script greater commercial potential.

The course includes film extracts, handouts and exercises. Come along with an idea, treatment or script you are working on.

ABOUT ALAN DENMAN

Alan Denman is an award-winning British writer, director and producer. For the last eight years he has lived and worked in Los Angeles. He joined the UK’s London Screenwriters Workshop in 1991 and was chair of the organization for four years. He was also head of development for Euroscript, a Media-funded script development organization. His short films have been shown at the Cannes Film Festival, in London and North America. In 2003/4 he moved to Los Angeles, where he wrote and directed his first feature film, Alien Game. In 2010 he and his partner Ayesha Walker formed Stinging Bull Films based in London and Los Angeles to produce films that are highly imaginative with strong commercial appeal.

Find out more about Alan and his teaching at:

www.script-to-screen.com

You can watch his Screenwriters Salon series at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fScC1l8o-G0

WHAT PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS HAVE SAID ABOUT ALAN’S COURSES

“Empowering and inspirational. Thank you!”  Anna Symon, screenwriter

“Great delivery with informal approach and ample opportunity for questions and interactions. Will recommend to others.”   Sue Feehan, screenwriter.

“Really liked the ‘why’ we do things part of the course… Really inspirational!”  Dries Cooman, writer/director

“Many thanks for a great course.”  Deanna Dewey, writer/director

“Very inspirational and informative.”    Phil Robinson, screenwriter

To learn more about this workshop go here: http://www.script-to-screen.com/Script-to-screen/FROM_DREAM_TO_SCREEN.html

Read 'Storming Sedalia on Kickstarter' at http://www.SellingYourScreenplay.com.

I got an email recently from screenwriter Bob Wagner. He has set up a Kickstarter campaign to try and raise money to shoot his film.

Bob saw my post The 100% guaranteed sure fire way to get your screenplay made into a movie and was inspired to take action. I’m a big believer in this sort of do-it-yourself initiative so I just wanted to try and pass word on about this project. I truly believe that the real power of the internet is not its ability to create a few over night billionaire sensations. The real power of the internet lies in its ability to help billions of small, yet still successful, projects like this one.

If you would like to learn more about Storming Sedalia or pitch in a few dollars to help the filmmaker, go here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bobwagner13/storming-sedalia.

If you’re unfamiliar with Kickstart you can learn more about it here: http://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/kickstarter basics#WhatIsKick. It’s a crowd sourcing website where you can set up projects and have people donate funds to them.

I wish Bob the best of luck with his project.

Read 'Script Doctor Eric’s $3 Screenwriting Contest' at http://www.SellingYourScreenplay.com.

I got an email from Script Doctor Eric. He’s running a unique screenwriting contest. If you’re short on funds this is a good way to get some recognition. Here is his announcement below.

Hey it’s Eric, popping in for a quick guest post. (Thanks Ashley!)

Every holiday season, one of my New Year’s resolutions is always “finish a screenplay.” After I make that resolution, I think to myself, “Great! Done with that!” Which means, it’s not until February when I sit down and start planning the darn thing.

Instead, let’s start early. I mean, now.

Why not? When you get bored with the relatives/caroling/presents (Just kidding, we’re never bored with presents!) why not outline that new script? Or jot down some movie ideas?

To encourage screenwriters to begin next year’s screenplay this month, I’m launching a mini-screenwriting contest (also called “The $3 Screenwriting Contest” – because that’s how much it costs.)

Before January 1st, 2012, email me the title, logline, and the first couple of a pages of a screenplay. And $3.

Multiple submissions are welcome, and yes, you can submit old scripts, but hopefully you’ll take the time to work on the logline and script a bit.

In January 2012, I will choose five winners. Each winner will have until June 1st, 2012, to send me their full script, which I will read and give a free phone consultation.

I’ll also post the winners on my site.

More prizes are on the horizon, but the main goal is to get you writing (and maybe a little bit of internet fame?).

For even MORE details for the contest, please go to the post on my website subtly titled: A Mini-Screenwriting Contest

This is a bit of an experiment, so we’ll see what happens. If I only get five submissions, then it makes choosing the winners easy, but I’m not sure if the contest will have served its purpose. Hopefully this post on Ashley’s site will help get the word out.

Now, back to the screenplay!

-Eric
www.scriptdoctoreric.com

Read 'Getting the most out of your visit to Los Angeles' at http://www.SellingYourScreenplay.com.

I get quite a few emails from people who are visiting Los Angeles and want to know how to get the most out of their trip in terms of advancing their screenwriting careers.

I wrote a post on this very subject a little while ago, so check that out if you haven’t already read it: Taking a Trip to Los Angeles to Jump Start Your Screenwriting Career.

I recently learned of a program run by Alan Denman, a writer and mentor, where he will actually help you plan and execute your trip to Los Angeles. He’s calling the program L.A. Residential. If you’re planning on visiting Los Angeles you should definitely check it out. I’ve corresponded with Alan via email and he seems like a very genuine person who’s looking to really help screenwriters.

You can learn more about this program by going here: http://www.script-to-screen.com/Script-to-screen/L.A._RESIDENTIAL_2.html

Read 'Screenwriting Expo 2011' at http://www.SellingYourScreenplay.com.

I’m going to be teaching a class at this years Screenwriting Expo. My class is called: Using technology to market your screenplay. I’m planning on demonstrating some of the methods I’ve used to market my screenplays.

If you’re planning on attending this years Expo, please come out to my class.

It’s Sunday September 18, 2011 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM.

You can learn more about the session here: http://screenwritingexpo.com/program/session_detail.php?sessionID=7017

I also have a special discount code for readers of SellingYourScreenplay.com. The coupon code will work for either a Gold pass or a Basic pass. When you’re checking out just use discount code: SELLYOURSCREENPLAY

Hopefully I’ll see you there.

Thanks,

Ashley

Read 'My appearance on Script Doctor Eric’s Scriptcast' at http://www.SellingYourScreenplay.com.

A few weeks ago I was on Script Doctor Eric’s podcast called Scriptcast.

If you would like to listen to it you can do so by going to this link:

http://www.scriptdoctoreric.com/2011/06/subscribe-to-scriptcast-itunes.html

You can also search the iTunes store for “Scriptcast” and then download the issues for free. I’m in episode 11.

I had a really good time doing it so hopefully you’ll enjoy listening to it.

Read 'Get your Short Film Script Produced by an Award Winning Director' at http://www.SellingYourScreenplay.com.

Circalit Announces Free Short Film Competition.

Award winning London director, Gabriel Bisset-Smith, will produce the winning script of a new screenwriting competition at Circalit. Bisset-Smith is best known as a writer on Channel 4′s ‘Skins’ and as the director/writer of the short film Thrush, which won the Tenderpixel Audience Award at Rushes Soho Shorts, the Vimeo Best Narrative Award and the Grand Jury Prize at the Disposable Film Festival. The competition is free to enter, and Bisset-Smith will choose one script to turn into a film in the unique style of ‘Thrush’. The public can also read and vote for their favourite entries at www.circalit.com/projects/competitions/gabriel/toprated.

Bisset-Smith commented, ” As a writer it’s often incredibly difficult to get anyone to take your script seriously, so I’m glad I can offer this opportunity for a talented writer to take that leap from writing to production. The quality of scripts on Circalit is generally very high so I’m excited to read through the entries and I look forward to getting started on producing one.”

The deadline for entries is 10th September 2011. Scripts should be no more than 5 pages in length. For more information please visit www.circalit.com/projects/competitions/gabriel/.

About Gabriel Bisset-SmithGabriel Bisset-Smith is a an award winning writer/director/actor from London. He’s had plays produced at the Hampstead Theatre, York Theatre Royal, Theatre 503, Old Vic and BBC Radio Four. He’s been on attachment at the Soho Theatre, Royal Court and developed new work at New York’’s Public Theatre. He’s been a regular story contributor on Channel Four’s ‘Skins’ and directed music videos for Golden Silvers. His short film ‘Thrush’ won the Tenderpixel Audience Award at Rushes Soho Shorts, the Vimeo Best Narrative Award and the Grand Jury Prize at the Disposable Film Festival . He trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and, as an actor, has worked for the RSC, The Royal Court, Young Vic, York Theatre Royal, Lyric Hammersmith, Old Vic New Voices and The Bill. He’s also been nominated for an Off West End most promising playwright award and is one half of the comedy double act GUILT&SHAME. Gabriel currently has a feature film in development with Shine Pictures.

About CircalitCircalit is a platform which connects writers with industry professionals. Circalit enables writers to showcase their writing to industry professionals in a copyright secure environment. Writers can receive professional and peer feedback on their projects, manage their fanbase, build a network of industry contacts, and enter free writing competitions. Film producers, publishers, literary agents and other industry professionals use Circalit to receive updates on the hottest new unproduced and unpublished scripts and access market data on those projects. Circalit’s aim is to unearth new literary talent.

Contact:
Robert Tucker
Director of Communications
www.circalit.com
rob@circalit.com
+44 (0)7790 054 721
http://www.facebook.com/Circalit
http://twitter.com/circalit

Read 'Join my writer’s group' at http://www.SellingYourScreenplay.com.

The writer’s group I’m in, The Deadline Junkies, currently has an opening. So if you live in the Los Angeles area and can commit to showing up every Tuesday evening you might consider applying to become a member.

There are about 15 writers in the group. Each week three writers present about 25 pages (1/4 of a full length feature). The pages are read by professional actors in a table read fashion. After the pages are read the other writers in the group give notes to the author. It starts promptly at 7:30 and goes until around 10pm every Tuesday night. It’s a great writing tool to hear your material read by quality actors and the notes from the other writers can really help you work your material out. I highly recommend this format so if you can’t join this group you might consider trying to start your own group in your area.

A couple of important issues.

1. This group is not for beginners. Everyone is invited to attend (for free) but before you can present material you must go through the submission process and get accepted into the group.
2. You must live in the Los Angeles area (obviously). The group is very active and each member is expected to attend every single Tuesday night, not just the nights that their material is presented. So if you can’t commit to being there every Tuesday night this probably isn’t the group for you.
3. The group costs $30 / month. The fee is used to pay for the theater where the group meets.
4. Each writer presents roughly 25 pages every 4-5 weeks. If you can’t commit to writing at least that much this probably isn’t the group for you.
5. The group is geared towards feature writing comedy. Writers do present other types of material from time to time but if your focus isn’t feature writing comedy this probably isn’t the group for you.

To learn more about the group and to find out how to apply for membership please go to the Deadline Junkies website directly: http://www.writersgrouplosangeles.com/.

Please do not bombard me with questions about the group. I’m not the leader of the group nor do I have any say in who gets accepted. The procedure for applying to the group is is laid out here: http://www.writersgrouplosangeles.com/become-a-member.html.

Read 'I’m appearing on Script Doctor Eric’s UCLA radio broadcast tomorrow at 11am (PST)' at http://www.SellingYourScreenplay.com.

Script Doctor Eric does a weekly podcast / radio show on UCLA radio about screen writing. He’s invited me to be a guest on the show tomorrow. If you’d like to listen you can hear us live at: www.uclaradio.com. We’ll be on from 11am until noon PST.

We’ll be taking questions live on the air via Script Doctor Eric’s Twitter account, so if you want to ask a question just post it there. http://twitter.com/scriptdreric.

Please join us if you are available.