$2,000 on offer at the AWG Screen Stories Workshop

18 February 2009

An AWG Workshop with US Development Consultant Kathie Fong Yoneda

Organisation

This two part workshop will firstly examine the ways screenwriters and filmmakers can contain the costs of their screen story, and engage with audiences in troubled times. The second half will look at the vital selling tools of the logline and the pitch. A rare opportunity to hear from a Hollywood professional with 25 years in the business.

If you are developing a low-budget feature (under $2.5M), ScreenWest is offering several course participants funding up to $2,000 each to work on their screen story in preparation for the forthcoming 2009 pre-Vis program. Details of the $2,000 offer will be announced at the workshop. Held in July, pre-Vis is the ScreenWest/AWG intensive development and marketing program for filmmaking teams, where national industry specialists provide advice on the script and financing plans.

THE BOTTOM LINE FOR SCREENPLAYS
In a world where the economy is slowing, the demand for quality film and television projects remains high. The morning session will look at the factors that can drive up the cost of a feature or telemovie.

What are the big-ticket items that can often sink your script before it’s even read?

What might audiences be looking for during these low-down times?

How can writers help to “recession-proof” their projects?

LOGLINES AND PITCHING
As a writer or producer, your most valuable marketing tools can be the “logline”, and verbally presenting a pitch to potential partners. (The logline is a one or two sentence summation of your script or movie idea).

What comprises a good logline and pitch?

What’s the point of having a logline or giving a pitch if I have a written synopsis?

How can pitching help a writer?

Join U.S. development specialist, Kathie Fong Yoneda, for an information-packed one-day workshop where she’ll answer these questions and more, providing the kind of experience-based advice that has helped writers in dozens of countries to move ahead with their screenplays. With over 25 years of industry experience, Kathie has worked for studios such as Paramount, Columbia, MGM, Universal, 20th Century Fox, and Disney, specializing in story analysis and development of live action and animated projects. Her career includes executive positions with Walt Disney, Touchstone, Island Pictures and Walt Disney TV Animation where she has evaluated more than 18,000 submissions. Kathie has presented over 150 workshops and seminars throughout the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia and has written a popular column on screenwriting and the entertainment industry.

When: 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday 7 March 2009
Where: Theatrette, Building A, School Of Isolated and Distance Education (SIDE)
164 – 194 Oxford St Leederville SIDE is opposite the Luna Cinemas.
Cost: $30 ($20 AWG/SPAA/ADG) Payment options will be advised on acceptance of registration.
Registration: Your email registration should be addressed to Alan Payne, AWG WA Manager, and sent to wa@awg.com.au In the subject heading of the email, write ‘[Surname] Screen Stories’. Please provide a phone contact number and indicate if you are an industry association member: AWG, SPAA or ADG. (Preference may be given to screen practitioners – if you are a newer writer or filmmaker, please include a short paragraph on your background and interests). Limited places – early registration recommended.

Inquiries Alan Payne (08) 9201 1172

The AWG gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance of ScreenWest.