The Louisiana Screenwriters Bootcamp is now in New Orleans and Baton Rouge!
|
From Scene Magazine:
WRITING IS THE KEY TO AN INDIGENOUS FILM INDUSTRY As everybody knows, the film business in Louisiana is booming. Tax credits have lured some huge projects like THE GREEN LANTERN, THE EXPENDABLES and the next installment of the Twilight series, to name a few. In fact, I heard recently that applications for new film tax credits hit the one hundred mark in August. Incredible. My friends are working all over the state, as actors, grips, coordinators, locations, craft services, casting, etc. Where are the writers? For the most part, they’re in Hollywood. And that’s why this boom is driven by big projects from out of state. The only way to create a home grown film industry is to write our own stories. Let’s be realistic, we are one hurricane or one zealous law changing state senator or one aggressive state with better tax credits from this thing drying up. Don’t get me wrong, things are happening on the local level. Several local companies have been making low budget movies and there are young filmmakers out there trying to make their films. I can’t tell you how impressed I am with anybody who gets a film made in this economic climate. A couple of weeks ago, I was one of the judges of the New Orleans 48 Hour Film Festival. I left feeling inspired. It’s a tough endeavor, writing, producing and editing a film in that amount of time. If you were one of the filmmakers, you have my respect. Some of the films were really terrific and reminded me of why I wanted to be a filmmaker in the first place. With all the momentum and activity in our state, where is the next SEX, LIES AND VIDEOTAPE? Where is that film that defines our local film industry? We should be the next Austin, but we’re not. Not yet, anyway. I believe it’s all in the writing. It’s time to up our game in that department. I teach, coach and fix scripts. I read dozens and dozens of them every month. We have the ideas, but we need more craft. I firmly believe to become an industry that can survive a hurricane, we have to write better screenplays. A great script doesn’t guarantee you a great film, but a bad script definitely guarantees a bad one. This is not a knock on my screenwriting brethren, it’s a challenge. Read more scripts, get more training, do your homework, find out what makes a great screenplay. We can build a sustainable hurricane proof, tax credit proof indigenous film industry. I promise you, I’m going to get better at this and I’m going to write one of the next great films to come out of Louisiana. Are you? |
The Louisiana Screenwriters Bootcamp
A unique intensive workshop w/ recognized screenwriter Steven Esteb Whether you are just starting out or have a script or an idea that needs a little perspective, The Louisiana Screenwriters Bootcamp is here to take you through the steps necessary to write a great script. No matter where you are in your process, I promise you will leave inspired and invigorated, with the knowledge it takes to develop, write and sell your script. Class Cost: $100.00 per month For more information about the workshop, you can contact: 310-775-7560 or gravyfilm@yahoo.com What people are saying about The Louisiana Screenwriters Bootcamp: "When I started going to the Screenwriter’s Bootcamp in Baton Rouge I considered myself an established writer with several screenplays under my belt and an upcoming gig as a writer on a horror web series called Project Z. I knew how to write a script but, as I soon found out, not a good script, good as in marketable. Steven has helped me discover the small mistakes I was making that are death to a script and correct them. Now I’m not only writing good stories, I’m writing scripts that will sell. My career is moving to the next level now and it’s all because of the mentoring I got from Steven Esteb. I recommend anyone who is trying to take their writing to the next level to join the Screenwriter’s Bootcamp, you won’t be sorry." - Trey Wickwire “Simply put, I was at a road block and Steve showed me the way on the Screenwriter’s path. His perspective, not only on the craft, but also on the local movie industry is priceless. Steve’s teaching style is fresh, interactive and affective…More of a coach than an instructor. If you want proven results and willing to give 100% in screenwriting then contact Steve.” - Joe Vuci Jr. "Characters matter. That's one of the first of many valuable lessons I learned in Steven's screenwriting class. Because I paid attention and embraced his feedback, over the last couple of years, the screenplays I've written have gotten the attention of the executive producers from the "Twilight" series as well as Universal Studios. There's never a week that goes by where I'm not thinking about some character aspect, and as a result, I have seen the dialogue of my characters blossom. And, it doesn't take a lot of dialogue to make a solid script. In fact, the fewer words, the better. That is another valuable lesson I've learned. If you've ever thought about writing a screenplay, your time is now, and you should take this screenwriting class. - Pat Mashburn “I have read most of the good books on screenwriting and I have attended several webinars. I also hired a coach, but it was not until I meet Steve Esteb that things changed for me. Steve has taught me how to take my screenwriting to the next level. His passion for the business and his interest in helping others is a winning combination. I would highly recommend Steve as a teacher, coach and/or prophet in screenwriting expertise.” - Roscoe Trout Lafayette, Louisiana "I had been paying for script consultation in L.A. for several years, going in circles on my script, when I joined Steven's class. After a few months of working together, I completed my first screenplay and felt satisfied with it. I've since written numerous scripts, using the simple and straightforward techniques he teaches. His notes are solid and helpful, and he teaches the basics of character development, formatting, and structure. I would not feel confident as a writer if I hadn't taken his class. I continue to work with Steven on my scripts, and he gives useful insight into the industry and ways to make connections. We even have one person from our group who now has his script in pre-production! I highly recommend attending the Screenwriter's Bootcamp. - Sherry Verdel “Since the first day I met Steve he has always been humble and straight forward, and I am proud to call him my mentor. Under the wings of Steve Esteb, I am now an award winning writer. I wrote, produced, and directed my first film. Bottom line: He is a great, genuine, creative soul and I thank God for putting him in my path.” - Charmaine Lewis “Steven Esteb’s relaxed style in the workshop encourages writers of all levels of experiences to stretch out their trembling wings and learn to fly! Like a musician’s jam, solitary writer types meet, greet and celebrate in a writer’s community. Not to be missed… this may be exactly the experience/class/healing you have been looking for.” - Dixie Taylor writer/musician/attorney Steven Esteb, a Los Angeles native now living in Louisiana, is considered by many as one of the best screenwriters in the state, having sold or optioned over a dozen screenplays to Hollywood. A member of the Writers Guild of America, he's been repped by ICM, Metropolitan, and Paradigm, all top literary talent agencies. He's also directed five feature films, including BALLER BLOCKIN' for Universal, starring Lil' Wayne, and his recently completed DIRTY POLITICS, starring Judd Nelson, Beau Bridges, Melissa Peterman (Reba Show) and local stars John Valdetero and Jerry Katz. Directing the film HEARTLAND this summer. The first script to be produced that was written in The Louisiana Screenwriters Bootcamp. Now a professor teaching film and screenwriting at Loyola University in New Orleans. |