Here is your chance to meet other writers, work on some writing challenges  and have a chance to see your work performed by a variety of actors (How cool is that)? If you’ve been stuck in the solitary writing cave for too long, this is the Meetup for you.

The details:

Bring a charged laptop, tablet, or “old school” pen and paper. You may attend this event to network with other writers or use this time to work on scripts that you’re already writing. For those of you interested in a challenge and something new, read on:

If you have attended our events in the past, you know that we’re working on launching the MoviePals social filmmaking network (website). One of the exciting aspects of this site involves having challenges for screenwriters, actors, directors, and other film-making professions. These free challenges are setup to  showcase your abilities, build your connections, and allow you to receive feedback and play a part in an international collaborative work. That may sound complicated, but it’s actually very simple and uses creative limitations to involve the entire community.

How it works for screenwriters

1.  You will write a 1-2 page script following a given scenario (or you create your own) and give permission for that script to be posted on MoviePals and for other actors on MoviePals to perform it.
   
   
2. Actors choose a script that they like, perform it, and post it on the MoviePals website (when it’s launched).
   
   
3.  Each entry is rated as a singular work (like a script) and each derivative work (actor performance is rated as well).  Everyone receives exposure and promotion for their talents and the winners get additional marketing and exposure on the MoviePals.

Why you should do this

1. As a writer it gives you a chance to see something you’ve written actually be performed by an actor (this is super valuable all by itself and if you’ve never done this before I highly, highly, highly recommend it, it’s an incredibly rewarding experience that many “hopefully” screenwriters never get to have.
   
   
2. It may lead to bigger things. It’s amazing how one contact made from a sample 1-2 page script can lead to further collaborations and discoveries. TRUE STORY -  I once posted a short concept script online and invited anyone to help me develop it into a film and I received an amazing response. I built a team that included participants in different countries and we shot a short film that received attention from the both the independent and mainstream press. I’ve also read about some incredible connections writers have found using social media including an optioned movie from a reddit response (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/14/rome-sweet-rome-reddit-thread-movie_n_1010758.html)... So you never know what this may lead to.
   
   
3. You may eventually win something tangible. I'm working on pitching potential sponsors and having companies give prizes and recognition to outstanding entries from different challenges.
   
   
4. It’s fun and challenging.

Example Scenarios:

Describe a Special Date and Falling in Love to a Friend
Write a 1-2 page script that contains the following scenario: The main character has just gotten back from the best date of their life. They’re in love and telling a friend about a new relationship. Be sure to describe the moment they “knew” or when they felt this was the person for them.

Comedic Complete Failure
Write a 1-2 page script that contains the following scenario: Describe a day in your life in a funny way, where something you tried to do ended in complete and utter failure.

Tragic Saddest Day of Your Life
Write a 1-2 page single scene monologue or at most 2 character script with the following scenario: Describe the saddest day of your life in a tragic emotion inspiring way.

Presidential Address to the Nation Before a Crisis
Write a 1-2 page script that contains the following scenario: The president of a powerful nation is facing the threat of world war. They must deliver an inspiring and emotional speech to the citizens of their country to raise moral and inspire hope.

Zombie or Another Type of Apocalypse Survivor
Write a 1-2 page script that contains the following scenario: You have survived the zombie (or other) apocalypse, now give a first-hand survivor account of the horror you’ve experienced.  Include specific things you’ve seen and what you had to do or overcome to stay alive. Try to showcase the intense emotions caused from surviving such a horrific event.

Phone Call Interruption with an Emotional Change
Write a 1-2 page script that contains the following scenario: It begins with one emotional tone monologue, when the main character receives a phone call, something on the call changes their emotional state.