- This event has passed.
Could You Be Saddled by Facts? Attend Our Workshop – Avoiding Pitfalls When Writing a Historical or Autobiographical Script
February 15, 2022 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
$10.00Are you writing a historical screenplay? Or developing a feature or series based on real-life events, autobiographical or otherwise? Then this is the workshop for you!
On Tuesday, February 15th, we’ll be discussing the common mistakes that authors make when basing their material on actual facts.
WHAT THIS WORKSHOP WILL ADDRESS
The title of this workshop was named SADDLED BY FACTS because writers tackling these genres can often get bogged down or downright crippled by the desire to tell the exact truth in the exact chronological order which can, frankly, mean death to your story.
We will look at the challenges authors face when they pen a biopic, a historical drama, or an autobiographical or semi-autobiographical script.
We’ll also discuss the difference between a “based on” and “inspired by” screenplay. And we’ll review the rights issues associated with both.
Finally, we’ll deconstruct the following three highly lauded films as part of understanding what works when reconstructing real-life events.
PREPARING FOR THE WORKSHOP
If you want to prepare ahead, we recommend reading the scripts for and/or watching these 3 films:
THE DALLAS BUYERS CLUB
Film Available Through A Few Sources:
Script:
Written by Craig Borten and Melissa Wallack
This feature follows the efforts of Ron Woodroof, a straight man, who developed AIDS, and became obsessed with helping himself and others fight the disease in a time before there was any successful treatment. Woodroof made over 300 trips into Mexico, smuggling unapproved pharmaceutical drugs back to Texas when he found them effective at improving his symptoms.
BEING THE RICARDOS (available for free with Amazon Prime membership)Film:
https://www.amazon.com/Being-Ricardos-Nicole-Kidman/dp/B09JB21878
Script:
Written by Aaron Sorkin
Comedian spouses Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz face the challenge of their careers when their hit series I Love Lucy is threatened by HUAC accusations that Lucy is a card-carrying Communist. But that is, by no means, their only immediate crisis.
THE SOCIAL NETWORK (available on Netflix)Film:
https://www.netflix.com/title/70132721
Script (Choose View Only):
Written by Aaron Sorkin
When an ambitious but socially awkward Harvard sophomore Mark Zuckerberg decides to create an internet site designed to bring college age students together, he finds himself in legal trouble, simultaneously destroying friendships as he pursues his quest. Tagline – You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.
SAVE THE DATE AND SIGN UP: Simply pay $10.00 via Zelle using the links genine@hsswriters.com or 978-505-5652. Indicate 2/15 Workshop. All proceeds go to the volunteer, non-profit HSSW in support of our programming. You may also sign up right here at our website. Deadline for sign-ups is noon on Tuesday, February 15th EST. The Zoom link will be sent out on the day of the event by 2:00 PM.