BUZZ: May 2013
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received the "Best Feature Film Award" for Monday Morning at the Long Island Film Festival. The film which Christian wrote, directed, and produced has appeared at several other festivals. Radio commentator Thomas Bach runs for the U.S. Senate in Minnesota. Through a circumstance, he ends up in the middle of L.A.'s brutal homeless community. Its graphic depictions and philosophy towards the homeless situation in L.A. and across the country has been polarizing for viewers and stimulated discussions for change. “After 20 years of trying to help homeless families I thought I had seen it all, but Monday Morning was and is a truly inspiring and riveting film.”—B.P., Upward Bound
As a sponsor of the Austin Film Festival/Writers Conference, WGAW is pleased to announce the recognition of members and as recipients of 2013 AFF awards. Oscar-winning Demme (director, Silence of the Lambs) receives the “Extraordinary Contribution to Filmmaking Award”. Writers Guild Award-winning Gilligan (Breaking Bad, The X-Files) receives the “Outstanding Television Writer Award” at this year’s festival, October 24-31, in Austin, Texas. Visit the festival link above to see additional WGA writers who are confirmed speakers.
and continue to pen and post humorous short stories on A Few Minutes With…, a website launched by the quartet that follows the adventures of “Kyle Benson,” an average dude whose everyday life is turned upside down with everyday advice on everyday living from the everyday dead. Comments from the living are welcome.
has long been involved with The Actors Studio Playwright/Director Unit. Bruce welcomes submissions from verified WGA members to apply for current open playwright positions in the unit. The P/D Unit encourages and supports the writing and development of new, full-length stage plays, meeting ~30 Monday nights/year. Playwrights present weekly, newly written plays performed and directed by Actors Studio actors and directors with post-reading discussion moderated by Goldsmith, , and . No membership fee. To apply, send cover letter, resume and contact information with two (2) copies of the same full-length stageplay (no screenplays, short stories, or novels) to The Actors Studio Playwright/Director Unit, 8341 Delongpre Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90069. Questions: (323) 654-7125. Note on envelope that you are WGA member.
’s book, Courier to Emmy Winner in 3 Months! (The Ups and Down of Life in Hollywood), is newly released on Amazon! An Emmy and Writers Guild award-winning writer for Rugrats and Imagination Movers respectively, Gray provides a humorous, insightful look at the unpredictable life of a writer, who has had the good fortune to work on projects with Disney, Henson, Lionsgate, Nickelodeon, and Universal.
Hot off the screens at Belfast and Philip K. Dick film festivals, 's feature film directorial debut Radio Free Albemuth, adapted from Philip K. Dick's most personal and prophetic story, screens in New York with Lincoln Center Film Society on June 4th as part of its prestigious indie night series. Starring Shea Whigham (Boardwalk Empire, Silver Linings Playbook) and Alanis Morissette, the story takes place in a 1985 alternate reality where a Nixon-like President (Scott Wilson from The Walking Dead) is still in office after five terms chasing a shadowy terrorist organization that may or may not exist. “Engrossing adaptation,” “Well-performed,” “Pic operates successfully as a study of enlightenment and a straight-ahead conspiracy thriller,” “Should connect strongly with Dick's fanbase and attract upscale auds seeking sci-fi with political and philosophical substance"—Variety. Tickets/information: RadioFreeAlbemuth website and Facebook page Radio Free Albemuth.
On Saturday, May 25, 2 p.m., , will host "Finding Your Secret Story" at Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena. Bring three pages of your novel, play or screenplay to read aloud for guided commentary by educator/lecturer Stebel. To guarantee a place on the list call (626) 449-5320.
invites all WGAW members to Santa Barbara for monthly “First Fridays” networking lunches. Email Jon directly to check whether a gathering is scheduled in the upcoming month, time, location (often Stella Mare’s French Country Cuisine in Montecito), and to be added to the email reminder list.
OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS
To join/renew: Film Society or (323) 782-4508. Don’t miss out on a benefit of your WGAW membership! Screening 100+ new release movies annually at a cost of about $1.00/film, the new season began October 1, 2012. Membership is pro-rated based on time of sign-up. Recorded monthly schedule: (323) 782-4591 or click Film Society schedule.
To schedule a delivery or drop-off of your children’s books, contact the Foundation at (323) 782-4692. The Writers Guild Foundation is looking for children’s books to distribute to needy parents and children in the Los Angeles area through organizations such as Sojourn Services for Battered Women & Children, The Children's Bureau of Southern California, Prototypes (Domestic Violence Shelter), and School On Wheels. Pick-ups may be possible for large donations. Visit www.wgfoundation.org for more information about Writers Guild Foundation programs.
It is now possible to search for a WGA member according to self-identified diversity attributes. The information is available through the WGAW website using this link: http://www.wga.org/agency/memberlookup.aspx. This online directory of writers from diverse backgrounds can be used as a resource for producers, executives, directors and other industry professionals. To be included, members must grant permission for publication of their diversity attributes. Sign in or create your MyWGAW Account via: https://my.wgaw.org/home/login.aspx. Go to the "change attributes" link on the left side of your myWGAW homepage, and click Yes under each “OK to publish”. For technical support with your My WGAW Account, call (323) 782-4885, M-F, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.