The concept of Jerkwater helped to earn writer/filmmaker Miles Benson a scholarship to the Vancouver Film School, courtesy of director/filmmaker Kevin Smith. Now, having graduated from there and from SNHU with an MBA, Miles hopes to find funding for his project. We welcome him back to HSSW as we take a look at the outline for his entire feature script and read the 1st 17 pages. Getting to "done" will be his critical next step. Come on out and help him with constructive suggestions. Logline: Seven very different strangers get stranded together at a small town train depot during a
Next Monday from 7:00 - 9:00 PM EST we review Bob Tremblay's feature Love and Let Love. So, if you're snowed in over the next day or two, why not curl up and read Bob's script? LOGLINE: Brother and sister twin teens fall in love with the same girl and then try their best to damage one another’s chances of success. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Bob Tremblay is a former editor and film critic for the MetroWest Daily News in Framingham. He had been a professional journalist for more than 40 years and a film critic for around 30 years. He is a
Are 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
Please join on Monday, 3/14 for Gabriela Lima's first review with us, featuring her 1st draft screenplay You Won't Die. As usual we will meet virtually from 7:00 - 9:00 PM EST. LOGLINE: Demi, a recently abandoned housewife, finds herself pregnant by a random guy and makes a deal to have the baby for her successful sister who can’t have children. But there is one big condition. GENRE: Family Drama ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Gabriela Lima is an Argentinian writer, director and producer, with an international business background (MBA). Her short film, Doris's Flight was selected for multiple film festivals. She
Joel Karlinsky and Eafat Newton, long-time HSSWers, have partnered on a few scripts, this pilot being one of them. So, please join us to take a fresh look at their revised version of already award-winning Dissecting Rod Serling. Most recently, this script was a semi-finalist in the Filmmatic - PITCH NOW Screenplay Competition, Season 4. Genre: Psychological thriller Project Type: Pilot for a series Logline: In 1975, when an unstable medical student dissects the cadaver of the late Rod Serling, it triggers paranormal experiences, forcing her to navigate a world where the dean of her school, her memories, and even
Phil Kling is back and he's bad - switching from his usual comedy venue to a serious pilot entitled Nothing But The Truth. So - please join us on Monday 3/28 at 7:00 PM - virtually - for this review of his latest script. Moderated by Paul Falcone. LOGLINE: Series Logline: In 2026, a fifteen year-old American genius develops software that revolutionizes all forms of technological security. Now, an internationally acclaimed inventor, Cody, possessing an extraordinary power, and his best friend Will, embark on a quest to save a conflicted world from its inevitable demise. Episode Logline: His identity protected
We have 4 vastly different shorts by members Miles Benson, Rick Groleau, Joel Karlinsky and Genine Tillotson. Three of these are new projects and Genine's is a re-write although she's not sure the group ever saw an earlier draft. So here you go: FROM MILES: Dream Clean Logline: When a doorway to the realm of myth is opened in a house she cleans for, a down on her luck cleaning lady and her two friends are reluctantly tasked with stopping a fallen angel, and creatures of legend, from rewriting history. Type of project: Short film - proof of concept
If you’ve heard this maxim once, you’ve heard it a hundred times – the first 10-15 pages of your script need to be killer. You will be judged by these first and foremost, so better make them good. Unfortunately, in recent years, many authors (big name pros and just-beginners) think this means that you need something to happen in that first act that literally makes the reader jump out of his/her/their skin from shock and awe. So, we get more and more opening pages with rapes, murders, incredible violence, suicide – anything to guarantee your bored, overworked 1st line reader
Andrew became involved in this project over ten years ago and it has gone through many script interations with no one satisfied. So, Andy stepped up to the plate to craft a new version. Join us on May 2nd to review his feature A Coach's Stand, chronicling a truly heroic tale. Logline: After a toxic exposure, leading to ALS, leaves him increasingly paralyzed, a college football coach confronts his toughest opponent ever in a fight for his life and career. Genre: Biopic, Drama Project: Feature film About the Author: Andrew Lemelman has been an attorney in Boston for over
Author Andrea Squires has had an obsession with Louisa May Alcott since the age of 8 and she first penned a script on her life back in the 1980s. To read Andrea's unique take on this beloved writer, join us for a review of Louisa's War. Genre: Biopic, Historical Drama Type: Feature Film Audience: Young adults–Seniors (history and costume-drama lovers, PBS lovers.) Logline: Determined to write a great novel but lacking life experience, Louisa May embarks on a singular journey of self- discovery by volunteering as a nurse in one of the bloodiest hospitals in the Civil War. There she
We close out the semester with a review of new author Casey Lynch's outline and the first two acts of her feature, Disordered. This is Casey's first script so we hope you'll come out to support her. It's been one heck of a semester in which, despite the trials of an ongoing pandemic, we have persevered. A strong coterie of members have attended regularly, helping to support one another through these challenging times and we thank all of you who have showed up to share your work and review the work of others. Your participation has been very much appreciated.
We start the new semester with a brand new script from longtime member Bob Tremblay, his first dramic feature project ever. So we hope you'll join us virtually on 9/12. Logline: When a struggling musician falls in love with a supremely gifted violinist, her troubled past imperils their relationship. Type of Project: Feature Genre: Drama About the Author: Bob has written more than 20 screenplays in multiple genres, including co-writing the script for The 6th Amendment, an award-winning short film available on Amazon Prime. He has also been a CineStory finalist for his black comedy Jack the Messiah, a Stage
