Next week we will meet in a hybrid format to review Genine Tillotson’s feature biopic Friedl. Fifteen years in the making, the script was inspired after a chance encounter with Holocaust survivor Edgar Krasa who described surviving Theresienstadt – a “model” concentration camp where Nazis imprisoned the most famous of Jews.

Those interested in attending in-person should  sign up and include the note – “in person.” Or write to admin@hwwriters.com.  We will be meeting in one of the first floor conference rooms at the Foundry.  Those of you planning to attend virtually do not need to indicate this. Just sign up.

The meeting will be held on Monday, October 23rd from 6:00 – 8:00.  Please note the time change.

This is the first completed draft of this script but the author did evolve/write it over 4 months with weekly input from her Harvardwood writers group.  Now, it’ll be GREAT to get new eyes on it.

Logline: When brilliant designer and painter Friedl Dicker Brandeis is transported to the “model” concentration Camp Theresienstadt in 1942, she must find a way to keep children’s spirits alive through the art program she volunteers to create. 

Genres: Biopic; Historical Drama

Genine is very interested in getting reactions and suggestions about two narrative vehicles employed throughout this script:

– the use of VO as a thread

– the use of flashbacks to capture Friedl’s past.

About the Author:

Genine Amada Tillotson is the director of Harvard Square Script Writers (HSSW) and is the principal of Magic Lantern Multimedia LLC, based in Newton MA.  She has been writing, producing and directing award-winning video and multimedia projects for over 30 years.

Early in her career, Ms. Tillotson worked for Action for Children’s Television, helped outline a TV series at ABC which evolved into the After School Specials, and wrote treatments for Harvey Weinstein at his earliest venture Weinstein Skyfield Productions.

She has written and directed programs, supported by the National Science Foundation and the US Dept. of Education, and has created an assortment of video projects for broadcast, web and large-scale events.

Her diverse clients have included Mattel; Fisher Price; the Boston Museum of Science; Silver Burdett and Ginn; The San Francisco Exploratorium; Sacred Heart University; MIT’s CSAIL; Harvard University and National Geographic to name a few.  Her multimedia exhibits have been showcased in 24 museums around the world.

She was the un-credited script doctor of a variety of PBS science programs and the IMAX film, Coral Reef Adventure.

Her awards include a Silver New York Film Festival, a Gold Muse Award, three Gold Nebbys, including two “Best Overall Achievement,” and three ITVA Gold awards, among others.

Ms. Tillotson has been a guest speaker at NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) and has lectured at Lesley University, Harvard University, Northeastern, and Emerson College.

In 2016 Ms. Tillotson was also the executive director of the Different Faces, Different Voices Film Festival in Cambridge, MA featuring the Flicks4Chicks short film contest.

She is also the host of the HSSW-sponsored web series Second Chance Cinema, which looks at “The Best Moves You’ve Never Seen.”

Hope to see you Monday!

SO BE SURE TO SIGN UP:  Simply pay $10.00 via Zelle or Paypal using the links genine@hsswriters.com or 978-505-5652. Indicate 10/23/23 Review. This review is also be available for signup right here at our website www.hsswriters.com.  All proceeds go to the volunteer, non-profit HSSW in support of our programming.  Deadline for sign-ups is noon on Monday, October 23rd EST. The Zoom link will be sent out on the day of the event by 2:00 PM.

Interested in joining HSSW and reviewing scripts or having yours reviewed?  Write to admin@hsswriters.com to be added to your DM list.