April showers and chilly weather makes it feel like spring is not quite here yet. So a warm cup of tea or coffee is a good companion as I continue to weed through my idea bucket of writing files on the computer to decide what I will work on next.
What system do you use to organize ideas? I have journals and google docs, genre lists and research files. Also I need to cut down on my screenshot habit, it’s very challenging to sort unnamed pictures you have to open and rename. Way too time consuming!
Exciting news! The Maumee Film Festival is coming back! Here is what we know so far. April 12th open for submissions on Film freeway. July 26th 48 hour weekend. Fest screenings September 20-21st.
Our open writing time is Wednesday April 10th 6:30 pm, join us at the Oregon library, or on our discord!
Teaming up with Toledo Talent again on Sunday April 14th 3-4 pm at their studio. Check out the link for details!
Don’t miss our April meetup Saturday April 20th 12:30 at Oregon Library. There is so much going on, be sure to check social media for updates on all of the film related events popping up in the area. Part of being a writer is connecting with others in the local creative community. Up and coming actors are as excited to read your new script as you are to hear it read and performed. So join us and have fun working on a fresh idea to develop. See you soon!
–Virginia
We are getting a sweet taste of spring here in Ohio, just a taste for now. The realist in me is waiting for that foot of snow we’ve missed out on this winter to drop upon us soon.
There is so much advice about how to write, how to tell a story properly. Should(s) and should nots, sometimes opposing one another, it’s enough to make your head spin. When the learning process makes you want to give up, the best direction to follow is your own path. Use your passion to guide you. March to the beat of your own drum. If you want to write something truly unique, you have to listen to the voice inside more than the cacophony of external forces.
Reading and learning from others is important, but you still have to ask whether it is true for you, your writing, or particular story. This can be difficult to determine sometimes. Giving your story the time to breath and develop is important, don’t rush it. This is a continuous lesson, I still struggle with.
It’s exciting to greenlight yourself even with just a quick short film project. This is a great way to learn, but when you have a deeper story to tell, take the time to make sure it is saying what you want it to say. Mistakes will definitely happen, don’t beat yourself up. There are always surprises and problems you can’t anticipate with making a film. Learn from it and keep going!
Hope springs eternal, I hope to see you at a meetup soon. Let’s plan to create something special this summer together as a group.
-Virginia
Important dates:
Wednesday March 6th 6:30 pm at Oregon Library Open writing time. This is our weekday evening meetup. If you have questions, want to talk about your writing project, or just have a set time to write. Come in person or join us on our Discord chat.
DO NOT MISS JUPMODE HERE FOR GOOD T-SHIRT SALE! March 11-31st We have a new design! You order from their website and they ship directly to you. This helps to support our group and website hosting, please consider purchasing a shirt to show your support. FilmToledo and many other local creators are also participating, make sure to check it out.
Saturday March 16th 12:30 pm Our Monthly meetup. Don’t miss out, stay up to date on local films and projects crewing up for the summer season. If you have a writing project you want to get read by actors, we have been teaming up with a local group, so join us at a meetup to get involved. This month we will also talk about finding the time to write while balancing other careers and families. A major challenge, right?
We hope you are working on something exciting for 2024! What else is there to do in February?
Our group is growing and changing with new writers and longtime collaborators. We encourage anyone who wants help or advice to join us in person. This group is about giving as well as getting support for our work. I often get requests and emails of people wanting help or wanting to join the group. Sadly I don’t always have time to respond to every message. I say just show up and participate. I added a weeknight (2nd Wednesday evenings) in addition to our monthly Saturday meetup. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for event updates.
Generosity is an important part of developing the relationships you need to advance in a creative career. We all need help and we all have different skills to share! Here in the midwest, the spirit of generosity is strong. It’s important to give back as well. Getting to know the creative community in person at events and meetups is the best way to reach out and connect with others.
I just hit submit on my application for the WGF Veterans Writing Project. Much like applying for a grant, it is a thorough process. I can share details at the meetup. Working on these applications gives you practice in writing about yourself and the direction of your career. This is my fourth time applying for this well respected program. Rejection is a fact of life in the life of a writer, but don’t let it stop you. If it is something you want, keep trying.
–Virginia
Join us Saturday February 17th at our next meetup. 12:30pm at Oregon Library
So here we are, it’s a new year, a chance to start fresh once again. Psychologically this time of year gives us the opportunity to begin anew. Even if we deal with the same problems in our lives, opening a new document and typing a list of goals and changes we would like to see helps us to keep striving for a more fulfilling life.
Our group has seen some changes lately and that inspires me to shake things up and also provide more opportunities for writers to meet during the weekday evenings. We will continue our Third Saturday afternoon meetup, and be adding some Wednesday evenings to allow for more writing time and the chance to connect with those who have a different schedule.
Our hope is to reach more writers & filmmakers and connect more people in the community who wish to collaborate on film and writing projects, or just get (and give) regular feedback. Our table reads and film practice sessions are a no pressure way to grow your skills in the creative field locally.
The Toledo film scene is building and 2024 looks to be another step in our growth. Make sure to follow FilmToledo and Tol Talent for upcoming events and opportunities to connect with the local community. Toledo Creatives is another group on Facebook to keep an eye on if you want to be active in the area.
Our next meetup is Saturday January 20th at 12:30 p.m. at the Oregon Library.
We will also be available Wednesday January 10th in the Oregon Library 630-800pm. Depending on availability, we will be in one of the small interior conference rooms.
Don’t be shy, come say hi, and check out one of our meetups in 2024! If you’ve been wanting to, now is definitely the time!
Photo courtesy of Doug Hinebaugh
Last month’s meetup was so much fun! We plan to do these short script film events partnering with FilmToledo a quarterly happening in 2024! Thank you FilmToledo and Synergy Entertainment for collaborating with us.
Our December meetup is Saturday the 16th at Oregon Library from 12:00-4:00, pop in for a bit or stay a while to enjoy a holiday treat and talk Christmas movies and writing plans for 2024. We have a few changes for the group, hope you can stop in to hear what we have planned. Bring a movie snack or holiday treat if you are able.
This time of year can be challenging to be productive in our writing. Too many fun distractions. Memories both good and bad, happy or sad, pull us deep into our emotions. I find when this happens, it’s a good time to journal. Putting my feelings down on paper or in a document, helps me connect to and remember how the people around me give my life purpose and meaning. Journaling also helps to make a plan, to create the changes needed to grow. How are you growing as a person, and as a writer?
Praying for peace this holiday season
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!
Happy New Year 2024!
No Excuse November
Get motivated and do something practical this month!
Start small. If you’re feeling overwhelmed at starting to write a feature, try writing a one-act play or a short film. Just start with a scene, a character(s) doing or saying something.
This month we are going to do something fun, and we need your help! The exciting part of screenwriting is seeing your words come to life. How about a low-pressure project to flex those writing muscles? If you are rusty it will help remind you how much you enjoy writing.
So far from October we have 2 member scripts we are going to produce in the large meeting room in November. (meetup is Saturday November 18th, 12:00pm Oregon Library) There is still time to create a simple 1-3 page scene for this exercise, and even if you don’t write something please come participate! We are inviting local actors to practice their skills and some experienced filmmakers will be helping to film our efforts.
Things to remember:
*Write something simple to shoot at the library (no stunts or action sequences)
*Bring any simple props or costume item needed for your script
*Print out a few copies of script for actors to read beforehand
(early scripts may be sent digitally so actors have more time to prepare)
If you have never been on a film set you will probably learn a few things just by coming. Obviously the library is not ideal for making a film, but this is a totally no pressure, fun practice session for everyone. If we get something good and shareable, fantastic! Completely voluntary, completely for fun and educational purposes.
That being said, magic happens when you are having fun and making connections. I have had some of my most creative moments in the midst of a 48 hour film challenge. So RSVP on the Facebook event, or send me an email (let me know if you are an actor) at glasscityscreenwriters@gmail.com to let us know you are joining us for the November Writer’s Jam!
See you soon,
Virginia
Fall brings the ebbing away of daylight hours. It feels sudden at times, like when you run out of light before completing outdoor chores in the evening. It can also feel as if the darkness becomes a part of your thoughts and dreams. My writing, like my thoughts, is enhanced by the supernatural turn of the seasons. If you have something dark or creepy to express, this is the time of year when the gloomy clouds and the haunting wind and darkness will guide your writing.
Speaking of writing, get busy before or during our next Meetup (October 21st at 12:30 pm Oregon library). We would like everyone to try to write one or more 1-3 page scenes/screenplays.
No pressure, but what we are looking to do is partner with local actors and/or an acting group, to benefit from mutual practice and possibly film some simple short films. I know personally I am guilty of complicating the writing with elaborate set ups and scenes. This practice will be focusing on one, to at most four characters in a scene (one location) that is mostly dialogue driven and easy to produce/act out.
How does that sound? I think it will be a really fun exercise and we will all benefit from having something to share afterward. So get busy writing or bringing your ideas for the October meetup, we will make solid plans for November and will be looking to share with actors before then. It will be exciting to create something together especially for our many newer members, so join us!
If you missed the exciting news recently, FilmToledo was officially recognized by the City of Toledo as our area film commission. That means they will be working together to assist and advise local and out of town productions. This comes after years of work behind the scenes by Glass City Screenwriters members Michael DeSanto and Charles Wetzel Jr. Congratulations!
Lastly, our film Old West End is still on the festival road. We had a local screening at The Valentine Theater in Brood X film festival as part of Momentum. Also KinoDrome awarded the film a medal for runner up in the Ohio short film category. Congrats team!
See you all soon, and happy writing!
Not quite summer, not quite fall. The month of September always feels like a see-saw to me. We feel the warmth of the sun and pull more tomatoes from the garden, and then a crisp night and a football game. The up and down, back and forth of the seasonal change. Notice I made no mention of pumpkin spice, oops! 😄😉
Last month we took a close look at a feature script and how it changed after being produced. It was an excellent exercise that we strongly encourage for writers who want to get better at the craft.
Read scripts, watch movies/shows, break it down, even outline/card it. You will get better!
The next meetup is Saturday September 16th at 12:30, Oregon library. Interviewing is a topic I want to talk about. Developing good questions to ask yourself, your characters, and others to gain information or facts needed to tell a story.
Old West End has a busy couple months ahead on the Festival road. We just got back from GenreBlast in Virginia where we won Best Poster! Next up is KinoDrome in Cleveland. Waiting on some big notifications for the fall, stay tuned to our pages on Facebook and Instagram.
Keep writing and creating Toledo!
So the Eighth month of this year is here. Have you checked back at your resolutions or planning list for 2023? I need to do this so I can make a final push to accomplish more before the year is out.
For our regular members, did you read the feature script for the next meetup yet? It’s crazy and mixed up as far as the order. We will watch and discuss the first 30 minutes of the film with the script on Saturday August 19th. Anyone is welcome to join us as we learn more about the changes that happened from script to screen. Here is the Link to our meetup.
Our Film Showcase was a big success last month, bringing in the filmmaking family of Toledo as well as many new faces to watch our films at the Maumee Theater. Thank you to FilmToledo for co hosting and Matt Erman for running the tech side of things for the evening.
Old West End had It’s local Theater Premiere at our Showcase in July. Now we are headed to Virginia Labor Day weekend for GENREBLAST! We are so excited to play at this super cool genre festival. If you are thinking of getting out of town for the holiday weekend, join us! They have reasonably priced festival passes and four days of amazing films.
Keep pushing toward those writing goals, and make new ones, you never know how far you can go unless you try. ❤️
We are fully immersed in summer. All the distractions are in full boom, as bright as the fireworks that cause us to look upward with anticipation. Ooo, Ahhh!
The excitement is building for the Glass City Screenwriters Film Showcase July 8th at the Maumee Theater! Look for articles and spots in the local press. We hope you all can come celebrate independent film with us. This is the chance to meet many local writers and filmmakers, and see the local theater premiere of Old West End. We will have the banner up inside so come take pictures and have fun!
Here is something I would like to do at the next meetup. We will pick a feature length screenplay to read. Reading scripts is the best way to learn. We will pick one that is available. The assignment will be to read it before the August meetup so we can discuss, break it down, and watch the movie to compare, script to screen. These are great exercises to do, and always teach you something no matter how long you have been writing.
The July meetup is Saturday July 15th at 1:00pm at the Oregon Branch Library.
I spoke recently about having many projects on different burners of the stove. I bring one to the front burner and switch them back and forth to work on. I think it’s important to switch around when you get stuck in your writing, and come back to it later. I think I have one roasting in the oven and also one in the slow cooker simmering away. Yes, my novel Grassy Creek is definitely a slow cooker since I have not completed a full novel before 😀
Happy summer, and keep on writing everyone!