Writing the Rockies Conference

July 25-28, 2013

The conference welcomes beginners, published writers, screenwriters,  and anyone else who believes in the magic and power of the written word.

Set in the beautiful Gunnison Valley of the central Colorado Rockies on the campus of Western State Colorado University, the conference offers a wide range of workshops designed to provide valuable learning tools in an inspiring setting.

Workshop faculty members have a broad range of published works, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, screenwriting, magazine article writing, as well as industry publishing experience. Working with participants of all levels, our featured faculty will help writers hone their craft through workshops and will mix with participants during events outside of formal sessions. Talk at leisure to our scheduled agents and book publishers, or sign up for pitches.

SCREENWRITING SESSIONS

Friday, July 26, 10-11:45 a.m.

“Screenwriting Primary School (Not everyone goes straight to film school)”
Presenter: Jack Lucido

With motion picture writing you get to play “show” and “tell.”  Every expert tells you that showing is always better that telling.  Here we’ll learn the basic tools and strategies of how best to show your characters, your core meaning, and tell your story in the visual medium of screenwriting.

Friday, July 26, 2-4 p.m.

“Writing 3-Dimensional Characters (No special glasses necessary)”
Presenter: JS Mayank

How to write characters that are memorable, fleshed-out, and relatable. How do you write a dynamic character introduction? What makes your characters come to life on the page? What are some common pitfalls and stereotypes to avoid while writing characters? We'll discuss all the above, and more... With examples from existing movies, and workshopping characters based on audience ideas.

Saturday, July 28, 10-11:45 a.m.

“What Am I Missing   (Action, voice, or story progression?)”
Presenter: Mark Schwiesow

Do your scenes move the way you want them to?  Is something really happening on each page?  Learn simple tips for writing crisp, evocative action to keep your story moving.  Do all of your characters sound the same, as if the same person wrote them all?  See how to differentiate your characters’ voices. Are elements missing that are keeping your script from being as good as you first imagined?  Learn to incorporate those unexpected twists to keep your story exciting and unique. 

For more information visit www.western.edu/writingttherockies

A true audience

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go to Dubuque, Iowa. My short film, EMIT, was an official selection in the Julien Dubuque Film Festival, and I was invited to be a part of the 4-day festivities.

On the filmmaker red carpet at the Launch Party event

As a filmmaker from Los Angeles, I didn't really know what to expect - from Iowa, from the festival, but most importantly, from the audience. I wasn't sure a midwestern audience would really click with a film as weird and eerie as mine. My fear was that perhaps they would lack the imagination necessary to truly appreciate a film like EMIT. And I am incredibly humbled to report, it was quite the opposite. It was not the audience, but yours truly, who lacked the imagination. I gave into ignorance, and let stereotypes dictate possible outcomes. My misconception was shattered, when all three of my screenings were packed. Not only that, my film got a rousing round of applause each time, and I was welcomed to the forefront for filmmaker Q & A sessions after (and everyone stayed).

It was at these Q&A sessions that I realized something beautiful. Unlike Los Angeles, or New York, which are considered "Industry towns" -- where audiences are used to (if not programmed) watching movies to tear them down... to criticize them... or to find some kernel of imperfection -- in this small town in Iowa, my movie was watched and welcomed for its merits. Nobody came into the screening with any set expectation.

But most refreshing for me, were the questions I was asked. Mostly, in "film towns" you're asked questions about the budget, or schedule, or how did you get your movie made, where did you get the money, how did the VFX work etc. Very specific and craft driven questions. However, at all three screenings, the questions I was asked in Dubuque, were about the story, the characters, the themes. Some asked me what had inspired me to make this movie? Others compared it to The Twilight Zone (a comparison that absolutely floored me - high praise in my book).

Thus I wanted to take a moment to thank every person that came out to a screening of the short films, or who stopped me in the streets to say - "we liked your film". It was a very eye-opening experience, and has taught me not to ever judge an audience.

As filmmakers, we make our movies in almost a vacuum -- writing it on our laptops, producing them in some locations that aren't accessible to the general public, editing and finishing them in small rooms. So when a film's done, it's great to see it take on a life of its own.

And so, as my film travels from Dubuque, Iowa, to Athens, Greece, Newport Beach, California, and London, England, I'm going to hope that it connects with each audience... and I know that no two screenings will ever be the same.

~J S Mayank