The Virginia Screenwriting Competition was established in 1988 as a means of showcasing the work of Virginia writers and encouraging the development of scripts that could be shot in Virginia. Since that time, the competition has received more than 1,000 entries from all parts of the state.

The first round of judging is by judges from within the state who each select one or two scripts to be finalists in the competition. These scripts are then sent to working professionals in the industry who read all of the final screenplays and select the three winners. An award of $1000 is given to each of the winners without rank as part of the Virginia Film Festival, held in Charlottesville in November.

The 2010 Virginia Screenwriting Competition is unique in that all entries receive a written evaluation from the first round judges, often giving writers valuable insights into ways to improve their work. In addition, the competition is one of the few in the nation requiring no entrance fee.

Here is the PDF for more info…

Enjoy!

Greeting fellow DCFCPUG members and A-List Screenwriting guests:

The weekend two day workshop, despite the rain and road closures from the Marine Corp Marathon, was well attended and we even had the treat of two professional actors stopping in to read lines for greater emphasis on character.

Here is a picture of the class and the instructor reviewing a major film:

After detailed review and script analysis, the screenwriters consider the alternatives presented by the master script consultant:

Then the fun begins, the reading of the draft script to bring the scene alive for the class…

If you are reading this and have a interest in joining us for the next class, drop me a line at rodney@dcfcpug.org

We could not be there the second day of the workshop because we got caught in the traffic snarls created by the Marine Corp Marathon.  So after 3+ hours of sitting idle in freeway traffic (that looked more like a freeway parking lot), we cut our losses and drove back home so we could at least pull the raffle winners and post the winning names below and the winners need to email me (rodney@dcfcpug.org) with your mailing address so I can send your prize via mail!:

Sonya Dunn – Montage – Professional Screenwriting For MacOSX -(1 copy)
“Create, Write, and Submit Scripts for Film, TV, and Theater”  valued at $100 retail

Sonya Dunn – Desktop Poet – “Fridge Poetry for your Mac” valued at $20 retail -(1 copy)

Steven Barnvard – Desktop Poet - “Fridge Poetry for your Mac” valued at $20 retail -(1 copy)

Have a great Halloween next week and don’t forget to sign up to a free membership at DCFCPUG.org and Jim’s free newsletters and scheduled appearances updates at A-ListScreenwriting.com

Warm regards,

Rodney – DCFCPUG

THIS WILL SERVE AS THE OCTOBER MEETING FOR DCFCPUG in conjunction with this SPECIAL EVENT and new relationship with the APPLE store – Tyson’s Corner!

THE APPLE RETAIL STORE EVENT IS FREE SO SIGN UP EARLY BOTH HERE AND AT THE APPLE RETAIL STORE SCHEDULE OF WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT IN THE ONLINE RAFFLE and increase your odds in the raffle prizes! It will be the best $5 investment you’ve made in a long time

Link: http://www.telestream.net/wire-cast/overview.htm
Wirecast is a live production tool that allows everyone to easily broadcast live events and create professional webcasts from any location!

Link: http://www.powerproduction.com/

StoryBoard Quick application creates, quick and easy stylish script integrated storyboards with storyboard previsualizations

Link: http://www.automaticduck.com/products/
Plugins for importing/exporting to from various tools such as FCP to AVID or Quantel,Toon Boom’s StoryBoard Pro or Pro Tools to Final Cut Pro

Link: http://www.toonboom.com/main/
Worldwide Leader in Animation Software – Home of the powerful digital storyboarding software – StoryBoard Pro and High Performance Animation Software – Animate Pro!

Link: http://www.junglesoftware.com/home/index.php
Home of the Gorilla Film Production Software and Story O – story organization software for Writers
Read the interesting back story on how Gorilla was born (by filmmakers!)

http://www.junglesoftware.com/company/about_us.php

Mariner Software – develops and publishes professional and personal software for the writing and creativity markets
Link: http://www.marinersoftware.com/
Key products – Montage, Contour, StoryMill, MacJournal, Desktop Poet + more

O’Reilly Book Publisher – many great titles to choose from.. Snow Leopard and iPhone app books will be won by lucky attendees
Link: http://oreilly.com/

Check back often for daily updates….

Rodney – DCFCPUG

DCFCPUG is partnering with the Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University to host our next meeting/event – Film Financing 101 (The DIY Basics) and the The Storytelling Craft, featuring screenwriting consultant Jim Mercurio.

The event takes place on April 24, 2009 in Georgetown.

REGISTER FOR A FREE TICKET TO ATTEND:

• Special Guest: Jim Mercurio – a top-ranked national screenwriter consultant from Los Angeles (http://www.a-listscreenwriting.com/)
• See YouTube videos on Jim.
• Read about Jim’s work with Chris Cooley of the Washington Redskins. The “Ghost Don’t Exist” film is shooting using the RED camera in the coming months right in our backyard!

• Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University
  1055 Thomas Jefferson Street NW
  Foundry Building – Studio A
  Washington, DC 20007
  Phone: 202-625-1110/800-808-CDIA

  http://www.cdiabu.com

• DC Georgetown Campus:  In the heart of Georgetown, the Washington, DC campus is part of an energetic, historic community. Located in The Foundry Building, the campus is only blocks from the waterfront. From its unique beginnings at the former Foundry Theater, the campus features 18,000-square feet of advanced studios and classrooms in a spacious, gallery-like location. Getting to and from school is also convenient, by car or public transportation. The Georgetown Metro Connection runs a regular service to and from nearby Foggy Bottom Metro stop, while the DC Circulator links to destinations across the city.

MORE RESOURCES

For those interested in more screenwriting workshop opportunities, Jim will be conducting a full Screenwriter’s two day course at the Grand Hyatt in Washington DC on 25/26 April 2009.  Email for a DCFCPUG discount or check your email for the announcement. UPDATE: Additional deep discounts are available now for weekend workshop in DC, see event link for details.

SUMMARY

Make plans to attend on April 24th!  We need members and guests to be involved and participate, as this meeting will set the tone for future meetings and partnerships.

108 registered tickets so far! Thanks for supporting this valued DC community event.

Please REGISTER!

DCFCPUG, Women in Film & Video of DC and A-List Screenwriting are teaming up to bring you this exciting evening.  You don’t want to miss it!  If enough people signup for the weekend course, there will be some lucky person walking home with a authentic, personally signed autographed NFL football (from Chris Cooley, #47, Washington Redskins).