2nd Workshop started with a blast of snow
Three persistent writers have joined the second Writing 4Film Workshop. Clockwise from the left is Darrell Henderson, Milton McGriff, Nadine Patterson(me!) and Pheralyn Dove. Big shout out to High Point Cafe at Allens Lane for making us feel right at home. Watch this space for more information on their projects and other Philadelphia Independents!
Overview: A four-week workshop with award winning independent filmmaker Nadine Patterson that explores the process of writing for film. Various methods for writing screenplays, treatments and outlines will be explored. Recommended for writers, poets, directors and producers who have an idea for a writing project or a film, whether it be documentary, experimental or narrative.
Add comment February 15, 2010
Writing 4Film Class 2010
Third Cycle/Date to Be Announced
Overview: A four-week workshop with award winning independent filmmaker Nadine Patterson that explores the process of writing for film. Various methods for writing screenplays, treatments and outlines will be explored. Recommended for writers, poets, directors and producers who have an idea for a writing project or a film, whether it be documentary, experimental or narrative. Space is limited to six participants per class. Send email to hipcinema23@yahoo.com to register.
Day and Time: (TBA)
Cost: $80
Location: TBA
Preparations for Workshop:
1) Have a journal/notebook that you can use for in-class notes and notes in the field.
2) Your script, treatment, or outline has to be in a format that other people can read and comprehend. Please be prepared to submit weekly assignments in one of the following formats: Microsoft Word, Final Draft or Movie Magic Screenwriter.
3) If you want to write for film you should understand the process of making films. A film is “written” three times by three people: the writer, the director, and the editor. Here are books on the creative process from those points of view.
Recommended Reading:
Screenwriting by Ray Frensham (a Teach Yourself Publication)
The Screenwriter’s Bible by David Trotter
Letters to A Young Artist by Anna Deavere Smith
Catching The Big Fish by David Lynch
The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Film Editing by Michael Ondaatje
Making Movies by Sidney Lumet
On Directing Film by David Mamet
Filmmaking for Dummies by Bryan Michael Stoller
Essential DEREN, Collected Writings on Film by Maya Deren
4) Read scripts, good ones and bad ones. Read scripts of films you have seen or haven’t seen. Click here, start with this one, written by a writer. And then you can try this one, written by a famous director/writer click here 
What is the fundamental difference between these two scripts?
5) See films, shorts, documentaries, online, on tv, on the big screen. Each format is a different experience. Become a critical viewer. Become aware of what you like or don’t like, and figure out why.
6) Write your story, your script, your dreams, your thoughts. Write your blog, your report, something. Write everyday. Use your hands and write with pen & paper whenever possible.
2 comments February 7, 2010
President Obama’s Past Statements on Net Neutrality and Innovation/The Danger of Mega-Mergers
This video is from the Free Press website. I believe we have to hold President Obama to his word by letting him know how important these issues are to us. The Comcast-NBC merger, a vertical integration move of incredible scale and magnitude, threatens the openness of the internet and our ability to use it as a two-way communications medium.
As stated on the Free Press “The phone and cable industries that control Internet access for 97 percent of Americans are spending tens of millions of dollars on nearly 500 Washington lobbyists. Their mission is to consolidate industry control over the Internet and kill Network Neutrality, before the public…. gets a seat at the table.”
Let your voice be heard. Write to the Federal Communications Commission, your city council and congress people, the Federal Trade Commission, your local newspaper, and your president. The airwaves, and grounds through which telecommunications companies build their networks are owned by the American People. We grant them access. We have a right to be heard just as much as any lobbyist or billion dollar corporation. They made their fortunes on our blood, sweat and tears. Without us they would be nothing. But we have to speak as one giant voice if we want to be included in the conversation. Let’s break our collective silence now. —- Nadine Patterson
Add comment December 5, 2009
London Film Festival is a Great Model for US Content Providers
I just saw over 38 films at the London Film Festival in October. Many were from non-European countries. It is amazing how little international content we have access to in the United States. And the major internet providers filter out a lot of that content. At the London Film Festival big Hollywood premieres like Men Who Stare at Goats play alongside films like No One Knows About Persian Cats. I also gained more confidence in the film projects I am currently working on for Harmony Image Productions. Globally people seem to be a bit more sophisticated about story structure, character development, and plotline. American filmmakers should take note of the various ways of telling stories and break out of the 3-act structure strait jacket.
Nadine Patterson at the Times BFI 53rd London Film Festival on Leicester Square.
Add comment November 14, 2009
NAMAC Conference Impressions/Promise to work on Diversity Manifesto!
Greetings. I had great time in Boston at the NAMAC Conference (National Alliance for Media Arts and Culture). I participated in an Open Session on making the media arts field and the foundations that support them more diverse, less sexist, racist and elitist. Tall order. We have spent the last 40 years since the Civil Rights Movement pushing Affirmative Action and African Americans still are at a disadvantage when it comes to health, education and employment. Women have made some strides, but they still face salary inequities and the glass ceiling. Not to mention the breakdown/segregation along ethnic, economic/class lines, sexual orientation, and disability (please send a better word for this). We have a lot of work to do! For a field that supposedly believes in diversity, the leadership ranks are overwhelmingly monolithic. How can we change this! Send me your comments here and let’s get to work on a manifesto! The plan is to 1) write it; then 2) get organizations and individuals to sign off on it; and 3) enact/follow through on the principles in practice. Let’s take this on together, one person at a time. Please leave a comment. Thanks.
5 comments September 1, 2009
Review of DIY DAYS in PHILLY
Nicholas, Nadine, Saskia, & Javier chill out at the Brandywine Workshop during DIY DAYS PHILLY
I had a blast at DIY DAYS here in Philadelphia on August 1st. This one day conference was sponsored by The Workbook Project and PIFVA. The sessions were held at University of the Arts and the after party at the Brandywine Workshop. My favorite quote of the day is from John Threat, “Nothing goes viral unless you sneeze on a few people.” People came from LA, Orlando, New York, New Jersey and every place in between to connect with Philly area media makers and exchange ideas. Shout out to Lance Weiler, Zeke Zelker, and Caroline Savage for pulling this amazing group of volunteers and speakers together. To see images and info from the conference go to the DIY DAYS page here. Peace.
1 comment August 2, 2009
Audio Excerpt from Presentation at West Oak Lane Jazz Festival
I showed four films on June 19th: Thirty-Eight Twenty; I Used to Teach English; Anna Russell Jones; and Cosmic Trane. Thanks to PIFVA and Media Concepts for the subsidy grant that allowed me to assemble these works from 1987 to 2003 onto DVD to preserve these documentaries about North Philadelphia. Click here for audio clip from the introduction.
Add comment June 24, 2009
The North Philly Connection in Film and Music with talk back by Nadine Patterson
At the West Oak Lane Jazz Festival on Friday June 19th from 11am to 12:30pm I will give a special screening and discussion on music, film, and the influence of North Philly art and culture in my film work. It’s free! Just come to the West Oak Lane Senior Center. The Senior Center is located at 7210 Ogontz Avenue in Philadelphia. It’s a mini retrospective of my films over the past 20 years and most of these film are not on Youtube. These docs feature Philly artists/teachers such as Marshall Allen, Toni Cade Bambara, Sam Brown, Germaine Ingram, Carol Johnson, Anna Russell Jones, Odean Pope, Marcia Pincus, Ursula Rucker, Ed Shockley, and the music of Warren Oree and the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble. [pictured above Bobby, Marlene, and Thurmond circa 1960 at the #2 Bus stop on Pulaski Avenue in Nicetown-Tioga]
1 comment May 26, 2009
