Phoenix Screenwriters Association Inc.

 
 
 

A monthly Table Read for screenwriters and playwrights. One of the most powerful and effective ways to improve your writing is to hear it as actors/writers read your pages. This table read is designed for beginning to professional writers.
The event is scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm local Phoenix time.
Criteria:

• Submit Pages no later than the Monday before the Tuesday event for a formatting check. If the script is not formatted for a table read, the writer will be notified and resources shared on how to improve the readability. If the script passes for a read, the writer will be notified.
• The email address to submit will be communicated in the Meet Up comments section one week before the event.
  Feedback Passes:
• First pass: Writer will remain on mute while all feedback is given.
• Second Pass: Writer will answer questions from their audience. No debate or arguing.
• Third Pass: Writer may ask questions of their audience to understand notes given. No debating or arguing.
• Up to 15 pages maximum will be considered for a read. This does not include the Title Page.
• The writer will prepare a list of characters BEFORE the table read. Actors will be assigned once the event begins. The writer can quickly assign readers to characters if they have their list ready BEFORE the table read. This list will be dropped into the chat for actors to refer to.
• To provide feedback, ask questions or give suggestions for improvement:
• Readers will place in the chat during the event: “NOTES”, “QUESTION” , “PITCH”
• The moderator will coordinate based on the chat comments and which pass is being considered.

 
 
 

THIS ROUNDTABLE WILL BE VIRTUAL...WE WILL MEET ONLINE THROUGH ZOOM. WE WILL SEND OUT THE LINK A FEW DAYS OUT FROM THE ROUNDTABLE.

SCREENPLAY WILL BE EMAILED

ANALYSIS OF A SCREENPLAY PRESENTS: SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE

It's common knowledge that to make a great film you must first start with a great script. But what is a great script? What elements make up a great story?

Join us Saturday February 4th as we review and break down the script Sleepless In Seattle. If you want to be a writer, it is not enough to watch films. You must read scripts as well. You must analyze the components of a script. Dissect the script and learn what makes it work.

In our discussion we will review:

Setup:
Act One: (20-30 Pages)
Plot Point #1 (Forced to make a decision that changes the direction of the story)
What is the inciting incident/call to action (approx. 12 mins)?
(This spins the protagonist’s world out of sync).

Climax of the first act.

Ascending Action to the Confrontation
Characters at a crossroads and must choose a course of action. They develop a PLAN “A” based on necessity.
What are the main conflicts? (what is at stake for the protagonist?)

What is the Act 1 turning point (approx. Min 25)?

How does the antagonist really sock it to the protagonist at the end of Act 1 so the protagonist is forced to do something?

What is the midpoint?

Act Two – 40-60 Pages
Midpoint: Unexpected obstacle surfaces to help get our protagonists back on track (Plan A)
Protagonist stops reacting and starts ACTING
(Often a pivotal character is introduced as an agent of change)
False sense of security – then to plot point #2

Plot Point #2:
Lowest point in the story for the protagonist
The hook that spins action in another directions.
Point where “plan A” must be abandoned b/c it’s impossible to achieve
Protagonist’ goals come tumbling down.
Descending Action

Third Act: 20-30 Pages
Good climax’s resolve story and should be close to end of film.

**The above is provided at the request of participants from prior discussions. These are the structural elements we will discuss.

This will be a roundtable discussion so be prepared to talk.

Join us for analysis of , and see what makes a great script. Discussion will be moderated by Shelly Howeison.

SCREENPLAY WILL BE EMAILED

**Phoenix Screenwriters Association has received an AZ Organizational Relief Grant (ORG). Administered by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, the AZ ORG Program directs relief funds allocated by Governor Doug Ducey from the State of Arizona's Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund in support of arts and culture organizations across the state.

 
 
 

THIS ROUNDTABLE WILL BE IN-PERSON

SCREENPLAY WILL BE EMAILED OUT -

ANALYSIS OF A SCREENPLAY PRESENTS: THE NATURAL

It's common knowledge that to make a great film you must first start with a great script. But what is a great script? What elements make up a great story?

Join us Saturday February 4th as we review and break down the script Sleepless In Seattle. If you want to be a writer, it is not enough to watch films. You must read scripts as well. You must analyze the components of a script. Dissect the script and learn what makes it work.

In our discussion we will review:

Setup:
Act One: (20-30 Pages)
Plot Point #1 (Forced to make a decision that changes the direction of the story)
What is the inciting incident/call to action (approx. 12 mins)?
(This spins the protagonist’s world out of sync).

Climax of the first act.

Ascending Action to the Confrontation
Characters at a crossroads and must choose a course of action. They develop a PLAN “A” based on necessity.
What are the main conflicts? (what is at stake for the protagonist?)

What is the Act 1 turning point (approx. Min 25)?

How does the antagonist really sock it to the protagonist at the end of Act 1 so the protagonist is forced to do something?

What is the midpoint?

Act Two – 40-60 Pages
Midpoint: Unexpected obstacle surfaces to help get our protagonists back on track (Plan A)
Protagonist stops reacting and starts ACTING
(Often a pivotal character is introduced as an agent of change)
False sense of security – then to plot point #2

Plot Point #2:
Lowest point in the story for the protagonist
The hook that spins action in another directions.
Point where “plan A” must be abandoned b/c it’s impossible to achieve
Protagonist’ goals come tumbling down.
Descending Action

Third Act: 20-30 Pages
Good climax’s resolve story and should be close to end of film.

**The above is provided at the request of participants from prior discussions. These are the structural elements we will discuss.

This will be a roundtable discussion so be prepared to talk.

Join us for analysis of , and see what makes a great script. Discussion will be moderated by Shelly Howeison.

**Phoenix Screenwriters Association has received an AZ Organizational Relief Grant (ORG). Administered by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, the AZ ORG Program directs relief funds allocated by Governor Doug Ducey from the State of Arizona's Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund in support of arts and culture organizations across the state.

 
 
 

Phoenix Screenwriters Association, Inc Presents:

IN THE WORKS: Actors Reading Writers

A reading of excerpts from local writers' scripts in progress…
read by local actors honing their craft...
Followed by feedback from the writers and networking for everyone.

WHEN:
Second Tuesday of every month.

WHERE:
Floridino's Pizza and Pasta
Banquet Room
590 N. Alma School Rd. #35
Chandler, AZ 85224
(480)[masked]

WHAT:
We have partnered with Floridino's for this event to become a FUNDRAISER for PSA, and they will donate 20% of all sales back to us! A meal and drink for you is financial support for us! Where else can you enjoy drinks and a meal out with friends/family AND ENTERTAINMENT for the cost of a reasonable and yummy dinner?

The event is free to you, so please help us keep it that way:
Please order food & beverages from the venue and be sure to take care of your server!

HOW:
CALL FOR ACTORS!
Want to read a part? Sign in any time after 6:15 pm.

At 6:30 pm sharp, parts will be assigned with preference given to those who arrive first.

CALL FOR WRITERS!
Come by and learn how you can sign up to have your work read at future events.

To submit script pages for consideration (max of 15) submit (in pdf format) to:
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CALL FOR SUPPORTERS AND AUDIENCE MEMBERS OF ANY KIND!
Come by, buy a drink and something to eat, be entertained and see the event that everyone is talking about. We've grown so much since we started in September of 2014! Come and join in on the fun!

At 7 pm, let the readings begin!

Be sure to share with a friend (or 10), and RSVP!

Please follow Phoenix Screenwriters Association and Floridino's Pizza and Pasta (Chandler) on Facebook.

This event is being supported by Arizona Commission on the Arts which receives support from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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DISCLAIMER:

Following CDC guidance, face coverings are optional for fully vaccinated guests. Refer to official website for current guidance. .
By visiting the event you and your party voluntarily assume all risks related to COVID-19 exposure.

This event is offered as an instructional activity focused on improving the skills of writers. As a reminder, unlike social platforms, this is a literary forum and comments should be limited to providing feedback intended to assist writers in improving their skills. PSA considers comments that are derogatory in nature or can be viewed as personal as a violation of our guidelines. PSA strives to provide a supportive environment in all our events so that writers can have a safe and constructive venue in which to improve their skills.

In the Works - Actors Reading Writers (ITW-ARW), a monthly event held by Phoenix Screenwriters Association, Inc. (PSA) provides writers an opportunity to showcase their original written work.

PSA (nor ITW-ARW) does not make any promises or guarantees of the safety of script pages. By submitting script pages for the ITW-ARW events, the writer agrees to take every precaution to protect their own work (registration with WGA and/or copyright) and hold harmless PSA and ITW-ARW from any real or perceived injury that might arise out of a reading.

Writers who present script pages at ITW-ARW acknowledge that they are the rightful owner(s) of the work and have all rights to the pages. No work presented can be a "writing team" work unless both writers are present at the time of the reading.

No script pages presented can be based on third party work (book, comic, short story, etc.) unless writer has permission or rights to that work and can show written proof of the permission or rights at the time of the submission.

Any violation of these rules will ban the writer from future readings.