Writer’s Screenplay Immersion Workshop 

Sponsored by HVCA

By GiGi New:

As a screenwriter I have come across one constant truth in my 15 year career, which is…everyone has at least one good story in them. One that deserves to be put on the page. But how to do it? How do you write that idea that will spring to life in script form?

Join me for an intensive screenplay workshop.  We will cover an array of topics that pertain to delivering a strong script for today’s market.

The day will involve covering:
Format: How is a screenplay broken down?  How many acts?  What does inciting incident mean and when should it occur in the script? And many other elements that go into crafting a solid feature.
Story: Even though we have good ideas, not all of them make for a good story. How do you decipher what is noteworthy and what isn’t?  How do you take a nugget of an idea and expand on it so that it makes for a multi-dimensional story?
Character Development: Characters are the most important element to making your story believable and rich.  Are they multi-layered?  Do they take risks? Have we seen them before?  What is their point of view on life?
Type of screenplay: Do you want to write a comedy or a drama? Thriller or horror? Coming of age? These are all different kinds of genres that plays directly into the type of story you want to tell. We will get specific and discuss which category your idea falls into.
Beginning your script: The first few pages of any script are the most important. If they don’t pop, if the idea doesn’t jump off of the page then people will stop reading.  How do you create those first few pages that will leave the reader wanting more? We will turn so so pages into exciting, stimulating ones.
The Marketplace:  Everyone always wants to know what the market is buying and truth be told, no one ever knows. However, there are some things to employ in a script that make it easier for the marketplace to say yes to.
Your idea: Lastly we will go around the room and discuss any ideas that you may have for a screenplay.  Participants are encouraged to pitch their idea and will receive professional feedback and insight. Please note that this will be entirely up to you, if you want to share.

Saturday, June 16, 2012
9:00 am - 2:00 pm (Morning refreshments will be provided, and a half hour, brown bag lunch will take place.)
WCSU's Midtown Campus
Berkshire Theatre

181 White Street, Danbury, CT

Directions: click here

Presenter Bio

GiGi New is a film and television writer. She has written over a dozen scripts, been staffed on sitcoms. A finalist for The Disney Fellowship, she began her career as an assistant on Everybody Loves Raymond, and moved on to writing for the award wining Nickelodeon family series The Brothers Garcia.  She has since worked for Gavin Polone (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Gilmore Girls), Wally Wallodarsky, and Maya Forbes (The Larry Sanders Show) on the FOX series The Ortega’s. She recently returned from LA wherein she pitched her own show to all of the networks, with her producing partner, Walt Becker (dir of Van Wilder, Old Dogs, Wild Hogs….TBS TV show…Glory Daze).

She has also developed numerous features for several studios and independent producers. More recently she has written film scripts and developed material for Aqua Entertainment, Gunn Films, The Walt Disney Company, Maya Entertainment, Avalanche Entertainment, and Underground Films.  Currently she has 3 screenplays in active development.