The Screenwriters' Group for Raleigh, NC
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS
Hi Screenline Friends,
We meet in the seating area in the back of the store near the restrooms; if something else is scheduled in that area, we’ll go to the Travel & Tourism corner in the back on the other side.
Last time, there was an author event in the seating area that I didn’t know about in advance; and all the available chairs were in use for this. We therefore had to go to the coffee shop area, where we had just barely enough space. It didn’t work all that well, but we managed. It’s possible we may have to use this again as a fall-back position, but I won’t know beforehand. If you don’t see us in the seating area or in Travel & Tourism, look in the coffee shop.
SUMMER SCREENLINE SCHEDULE:
I have been slammed at my day job lately and haven’t contacted Barnes & Noble about summer dates yet. I hope to have this firmed up by our May 21 meeting. Stay tuned to this website for late-breaking news.
SOME MEETING
GROUND RULES (which are hereby imposed, by me):
Please note, I think we’re
going to have to be a bit quieter during our
meetings. I’ve noticed that when we get started,
folks who are already in the area often get up and
leave. We’re a little “loud,” I fear. I
haven’t heard any complaints yet from the store
management, but I don’t want this to happen; otherwise
we might be asked to find another place to meet.
This is not as easy as it may sound!
That having been said, please don’t be
intimidated. Please bring your material to read
and critique at the meeting. Let’s just use a
little less volume in the process.
An important point which bears re-mentioning (Is that
a word? Well, its intent is clear):
Also remember, even if your dialogue contains “bad
words,” we DON’T voice these words when reading.
This has nothing at all to do with “prudishness.” We
were cautioned about this by management, before we
ever began meeting at the store. The seating
area is separated from the childrens’ and YA sections
by only a low line of bookshelves. We do not
want an offensive-language complaint to come up; if
one does, we WILL be invited to leave.
Should you feel that your dialogue isn’t “right”
unless it’s read complete with the language, the
solution is simple… we won’t read it. I’m sorry;
but that’s the rules.
Characterization in Fiction, which is a great class for screenwriters, begins Thursday, May 17. This class meets 7-9:30 pm on Thursdays for 10 weeks, at Athens Drive HS in West Raleigh.
Story Development and Plotting for Screenwriters, Novelists and Fiction Writers will begin Wednesday, May 23. This class meets 6:30-9:30 pm on Wednesdays for 8 weeks, also at Athens Drive HS in West Raleigh. (This class IS in the online catalog, on Page 21, with Occupational classes.)
The school is easily accessible from I-440 via the Jones Franklin Road and Melbourne Road exits, and from I-40 via exit 295, Gorman Street.
I’ll be teaching both classes.
Point of Clarification: On the Wake Tech website, the contact info for the classes is listed as Larry Buie. Larry is the instructional coordinator, but I (Mike) am the actual course instructor. Larry's name is listed first to handle questions which then get passed down to me. I just wanted to clear up this confusion.
FALL CLASSES:
It’s not too early to at least think about this… right now, I’m scheduled to teach Introduction to Screenwriting on Wednesdays, and Characterization in Fiction on Thursdays, beginning in late August or early September. Watch the this website for details and start-up dates.
OTHER STUFF:
For beginning screenwriters, I highly recommend the Red Inkworks screenplay competition. This contest gives absolutely the best feedback of any. Their website has many, many excellent writers’ resources. Check out the Red Inkworks website and enjoy!
That’s a wrap for now. See you at Screenline!
Mike
Our next meeting will be on Monday, May 21, 2012.
