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.

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.

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

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.

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]

From the website Gold Derby by Tom O’Neil

There’s been some confusion among Emmy-watchers over whether HBO’s “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” which debuts on March 29, will compete at the Emmys as a miniseries or a drama series.

HBO’s Emmy gurus tell Gold Derby that it will qualify in the drama series lineup since the program has more than the requisite six episodes airing during the Emmy eligibility period — the network will air seven.

“The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” stars American R&B singer-actress Jill Scott as “fat and fabulous” Precious Ramotswe, who’s devoted to solving crimes in Botswana, and Anika Noni Rose (Tony Award winner for “Caroline — Or Change” and star of the film version of “Dreamgirls”) as her hyper, officious assistant.

The show had a successful launch on the BBC in the U.K. over the last week, drawing more than 5 million TV viewers. One reviewer for the London Times offered praise, as he put it, giving it three out of five stars. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly gives it a “B” grade, noting that it’s full of “glowing cheerfulness” while calling it “feel-good television in a way that’s startling from HBO, home of dark, rich stuff like ‘The Wire’ and ‘Six Feet Under.’ ” However, Tucker adds, “Just because this tale of a jolly detective is light doesn’t mean it’s slight.”

We get an early Emmy prognosis from a moderator of The Envelope’s message-boards who lives in the U.K., Andrew Pickett (known as “andrew” in our forums with a lower-case “a” because he’s so modest) who viewed the TV launch. He reports:

A late and possibly a big entrant into the drama series races at the Emmys arrives on HBO on March 29th when the late Anthony Minghella’s (“The English Patient”) pilot for “The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” premieres. The series based on the best-selling novels by Alexander McCall Smith stars Grammy winner Jill Scott as Precious Ramotswe and “Dreamgirls’” Anika Noni Rose as her assistant Grace Makutsi. The pilot episode is Academy Award-winning director Anthony Minghella’s final film and a fitting tribute which should be rewarded with at least a directing nomination when the Emmy nominees are announced in July. He also co-wrote the episode with Oscar nominee Richard Curtis (“Four Weddings and a Funeral”).

The series is shot entirely on location in Botswana and looks very different from the majority of competitors for this year’s emmy awards. With HBO’s campaigning multiple emmy nominations seem very likely, it will be competing in the drama series categories and while the series race could be too crowded with “Lost,” “Mad Men,” “24,” “House,” “Dexter” and “Damages” among the favorites it still could surprise and make it in.

More possible are lead actress for Scott, where she could be head to head with “ER”’s Angela Bassett to become the first African American lead actress Emmy winner in a drama series. Anika Noni Rose looks like a good bet for at least a supporting nomination as she has a good range on display, as well as an accent, so a win could be possible. Behind the scenes nominations should be plentiful as the series looks beautiful and writing is likely too as the dialogue is very entertaining, but also authentic.

“The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” is a breath of fresh air in this mostly disappointing year for new series and could very well make a big impact on the Emmys as well as with audiences.

On Bass in Philadelphia Stories 6, MiND TV Channel 35 airs over Broadcast TV on these dates: Thurs. Feb 12th at 10pm; Sat. Feb 14th at 9pm; Sun. Feb 15th at 1pm

**Info for film fans: we shot it on Mini DV with the Panasonic AG DVX100-A camera in 24p. We used a 4 wheel dolly not just a tripod for the interiors. Black Pro-Mist Filter was used for interiors and a Polarizing filter for the sky shot.