Saturday, June 19, 2004
Instructor: Christopher Keane
Atlanta, Georgia

When a new or veteran screenwriter comes to Christopher Keane for help, the first question he asks is this: What's the story you need to tell?

The question goes right to the heart of the writer's passion, which to Chris is the crucial ingredient in any script. After twenty years writing and teaching in the movie business, Chris can tell the difference between someone's passion to write a story and a mild interest in getting into the industry.

What about the changing face of the movie business — in The New Hollywood? Bring your passion, yes, but the rules have changed. Hollywood draws from the provinces. Studio pictures fail where scripts from beyond Hollywood's borders prevail. Why? And how? And why are so-called smaller movies drawing top actors and directors, paying the big dollars, winning the big awards?

In The New Hollywood, subject matter defies industry convention and wisdom. While the top producers wrangle for big budget features, everyone else climbs outside the Hollywood box looking for dynamic product.

How do you tap that source? Why are story preparation and story beats the driving forces behind great scripts? How do you NOT fall into the flat character hole? How do capitalize on your own passion for a story, rather than derivative junk, to bring your script home?

Learn the answers to these question, Saturday, June 19, 2004 during the third annual Writers' Weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. This year, "Writing for Reel: Story+Nuts&Bolts" will not only tell you how to write the story, but it will also tell you how to sell it! And that's how you earn money doing your passion.

Chris is a member of the Writers Guild of America West, the Author's Guild and PEN. He has written screenplays for feature films and television, and is currently working on a script for Samuel L. Jackson. Chris just finished an action comedy optioned by Michael Schiffer's Ballpark Productions. He had a series on last year off one of his books (The Huntress USA Network).

With over 14 novels and writing guides, Chris' latest book, "Hot Property," can be found at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com.

His teaching credits include:

• Maui Writers Conference, 2003
• Screenwriting Expo - Los Angeles, CA "Star Speaker" 2002
• Harvard University
• NYU
• Smithsonian Institution
• Emerson College Graduate School
• Screenwriter-in-Residence
• International Film and TV Workshops, Rockport, ME
  Rhode Island School of Design.

Testimonials About Christopher Keane...

"I have found Keane's book to be more helpful than Robert McKee's Story and Syd Field's Screenplay when starting out. Keane is very clear about the steps necessary to write a consistent, engaging script. At the same time, Keane encourages the reader throughout the long and daunting process of writing and revising. I really enjoyed his list of recommended viewing and the way he refers back to these films throughout the book. I used Keane's guide as a reference for writing my first feature film, which subsequently went into production. I also recommend his book to all my students at the film program I run at Harvard University."

-Valerie Weiss, Harvard Film Program

"Screenwriting has its rewards. Two in fact. One is financial. Many sell for six and even seven figures. Two, you will have the admiration and respect of your peers. And even a little jealousy. Welcome to the terrible, wonderful world of screenwriting."

-Julius J. Epstein, Screenwriter, Casablanca In the Introduction to How to Write a Selling Screenplay

"Keane effectively combines theoretical considerations with hands-on applications that are easy to understand. His experience as an educator is abundantly evident on every page."

-Richard Walter, Professor and Screenwriting Chair, UCLA

For more information on Chris, visit www.keanewords.com.

Register today for...

$149 per person*

*Discount of $25 for Urban Mediamakers members and students. Space is limited and registrations will be on a first-come first-serve basis.

For more information, call 770.345.8048 or e-mail us at workshop@urbanmediamakers.com.