To Be Or No To Be…Plat(form) Is The Question

To Be Or No To Be…Plat(form) Is The Question


by SJ Hodges

I wake this morning and find an email from an old friend in my inbox. Excerpts from his new novel. He’d like some feedback. Wants to know where to shop it. How to shop it. As a ghostwriter, I’ve dipped my pinky toe in the publishing pool. Been lucky enough to sell fiction off a proposal (when that was still possible), muscle a unheard-of memoir into a movie deal (when that was still possible) and will soon head back out in the market with a currently unnamed reality TV star’s life story. I have skirted around the periphery of the industry, clinging to the coattails of those personalities with “platform” in order to stay on the shelves. My friend has never ventured into books. As a screenwriter, he’s battled other demons. The kind who wear Armani. The kind who hire interns to read on their behalf. A different kind of beast. This is why he thinks I might have sage words to share.

I respond favorably to his excerpt. A whole world contained within a few pages. It’s nice to hear his voice in my head again, after so many years on opposite coasts. I write back with encouragement and suggest that he finish the complete manuscript before showing it to agents or editors. With the major publishing houses in massive transition from dinosauric to digitized, an unpublished, “brand-new” writer with great talent, a half-finished manuscript and no platform is easily cast aside.

It used to be that product created platform. Now, platform creates product.

First time novelists are told to launch a website, to start a blog. Or contribute to blogs. Or to blog tour. They are encouraged to tweet. No, they are expected to tweet. They’re told that their followers need to number in the thousands. No, the hundreds of thousands. I login to Facebook each day to find double friend requests smiling back at me with the same photo attached. Writers, actors, directors setting up two separate accounts: one professional, one personal. Platform, platform, platform.

I know what it takes to put the platform on the page because I’m the one actually typing up that proposal. The one that will land a six-figure deal for someone else. I’ve seen the remarkable numbers that some aspiring authors bring to the table. I’ve mastered the careful calculations necessary to estimate past and projected media impressions – broadcast and print. I’ve learned the term “back-of-room merchandising efforts” and can, without blinking an eye, recite a massive list of alternative income stream opportunities. I’ve massaged the statistical analysis of demographic draws to more favorably represent my clients and I should have a PhD in branding, trending, promotional packaging…

It can be paralyzing.

It can kill creativity.

It has nearly killed my first novel.

To write in the face of obscurity. This is nothing new. From the moment the first person ever carved into a cave wall, every writer’s greatest fear is to have opened the vein allowing their life to spill and splatter and spurt onto the wall, onto the page and to have that effort go unrecognized, unappreciated, unheard. It’s just now…publishers and agents have the actual numbers to confront you. They’ve got the hard evidence, the proof…you most definitely are not Ashton Kutcher. You. Are. Unknown.

Still, I write. And my friends write. And we email each other excerpts of our work and ask for feedback. We tweet, wax poetic on our Facewalls and ask for connections. On the bad days, when the words are slow to form and Charlie Sheen instantaneously accumulates 150,000 followers on Twitter without even tweeting, I try to remember the stillness and quiet perfection of my days at The MacDowell Colony where every year, 250 artists, some known, most unknown, wander among the woods, hunker down in cozy cabins and create.

It was enough, those days at the MacDowell, to be alone in the woods. To write, to eat, to share wine with newfound friends. Having no connection to or awareness of the business, it was a freedom. There was happiness to be found there. Beside the fireplace, with a warm thermos of tomato soup watching fluffy flakes of sugary snow drift against my front door. After seven years spent on the sunny beaches of L.A., I can watch snow fall for hours.

It was enough, the writing. It was enough to sustain me.

It is a feeling I often try to conjure as I walk my daily tightrope stretched between creativity and commercialism, meaning and marketing, product and platform. As I program my days into chunks of time: minutes to wake, minutes to eat, minutes to shower, walk, return calls, build a website, meet a new contact, and oh yeah, write.

I click on my inbox. Find another friend’s new chapter on the screen. Read it. Love it. Want to hear more. And in that moment, I choose not to calculate her media impressions. I choose not brainstorm tie-in merchandising opportunities. I choose not click to follow her tweets. Instead, I send her words of encouragement. Then I say those same words aloud to myself. Creation for the sake of creation. It’s okay. It’s okay. It’s okay.

In the sunny confines of my Santa Monica office, I close my eyes and listen for snow.

SJ Hodges writes for the stage, tv, screen and print. She can be contacted via Facebook at The Constant Creator and followed on Twitter @constantcreator.

Ars Nova Play Group

Ars Nova is now accepting applications for our writers group, Play Group, for 2011. For those of you who may not know, Play Group is a wonderful and eclectic group of emerging writers who meet here at Ars Nova every other week to share their work and get peer feedback. New members join for a two-year cycle starting in January, and each year culminates in a group created production at Ars Nova. The writers are at the heart of our community of artists, and we would love to find some great new members to join the returning group in January.


More information about the group as well as application forms can be found on our website at  http://arsnovanyc.com/playgroup.html.

A ton of new jobs - listings from Cynopsis

Group Creative Director 7014

Razorfish
NYC NY
http://jobs-razorfish.icims.com/jobs/7014/job

day-to-day management and optimization of client campaigns
Account Manager 7591
Razorfish
NYC NY
http://jobs-razorfish.icims.com/jobs/7591/job

primary person that works with the Sr. Business Analyst to ensure that the needs for assigned clients are being met
Sr. Business Analyst 7595
Razorfish
NYC NY
http://jobs-razorfish.icims.com/jobs/7595/job

manage Major accounts
Account Executive
C2 Creative
NYC NY
http://www.c2creative.com/ /

manage teams in San Francisco, Toronto and New York
Executive Creative Director
Organic
NYC NY
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ORGANIC&cws=1&rid=4335

leads and directs the development and execution of all creative strategies
Creative Director
Organic
NYC NY
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ORGANIC&cws=1&rid=4372

responsible for the successful delivery of large-scale client engagements and/or multiple smaller engagements for a single client
Manager, Delivery Management
Organic
NYC NY
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ORGANIC&cws=1&rid=4231

managing and executing specific aspects/work streams with strategic consulting projects and web development efforts
Manager Strategy
Organic
NYC NY
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ORGANIC&cws=1&rid=4352

champion of new marketing methods and will play a large role in educating client and agency partners about the value of digital experience to their brands
Executive Director, Marketing Intelligence
Organic
NYC NY
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ORGANIC&cws=1&rid=4112

creating and managing against a 1, 3 and 5 year business vision and strategy for a major account encompassing all current and emerging marketing platforms
VP Strategy
Organic
NYC NY
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ORGANIC&cws=1&rid=4128

mange, establish process and procedure regarding entire pre-sale and RFP process for the assigned territory of brands
Senior Sales Development Manager- Digital Lifestyle Group 119486BR
Time Inc.
NYC NY
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/careers/

ability to dig beneath the headlines on stories, to understand context and precedent, and to avoid conventional and obvious thinking
Sr. Writer, 8PM Show 119509BR
Turner Broadcasting
NYC NY
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/careers/

strong editorial judgment, ability to juggle multiple projects at once, feature producing, strong writing skills, and a thorough understanding of the news business
NY Bureau Producer I 119530BR
Turner Broadcasting
NYC NY
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/careers/

booking guests for live daily interviews in addition to special projects
Editorial Producer Guests, 8pm Show 119513BR
Turner Broadcasting
NYC NY
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/careers/

generate story ideas, and must have a strong story packaging sense
Sr. Producer, 8PM Show 119508BR
Turner Broadcasting
NYC NY
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/careers/

financial responsibility over all revenue and expenses related to the business (P&L responsibility)
Sr. Director, Business Operations - PGATour.com 119532BR
Turner Broadcasting
Atlanta GA
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/careers/

research, design, and document processes and systems for the enhancement, development, and maintenance of business and systems operations
SR. Business Analyst, Ad Sales Systems
MTV Networks
NYC NY
http://www.mtvnetworkscareers.com/ /

identify management's information needs and establish reporting procedures to satisfy them
Director, MTV Strategic Insights and Research
MTV Networks
NYC NY
http://www.mtvnetworkscareers.com/ /

create and write analyses to help inform programming and scheduling decisions
Manager, Research
MTV Networks
NYC NY
http://www.mtvnetworkscareers.com/ /

creating, analyzing, and distributing daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and year-end reports across the Vh1/CMT/Logo digital properties and competitors
Senior Analyst, Digital Research - Vh1/CMT/Logo
MTV Networks
NYC NY
http://www.mtvnetworkscareers.com/ /

leading daily news editorial, specifically management and coordination of ideation, assignment, and execution of reporting, writing and editing for articles and blogs in coordination with video and digital production
Managing Editor
MTV Networks
NYC NY
http://www.mtvnetworkscareers.com/ /

drive business and partnership opportunities across target marketing segments
Director, Integrated Marketing MTV2 & mtvU
MTV Networks
NYC NY
http://www.mtvnetworkscareers.com/ /

revising and executing a robust fundraising strategy that ensures sustainable growth for the Staying Alive Foundation
Director of Development, MTV Staying Alive Foundation
MTV Networks
NYC NY
http://www.mtvnetworkscareers.com/ /

cultivating and establishing innovative partnerships with diverse brands and companies to develop fundraising opportunities for the Staying Alive Foundation, and promote organizational visibility
Director of Strategic Partnerships, MTV Staying Alive Foundation
MTV Networks
NYC NY
http://www.mtvnetworkscareers.com/ /

manage and execute media relations activity nationwide for Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids & Family Digital and Internet businesses
Communications Manager
MTV Networks
NYC NY
http://www.mtvnetworkscareers.com/ /

accurately execute and schedule interactive advertising campaigns using Solbright and Doubleclick's DART for Publishers ad management platform
Campaign Specialist
MTV Networks
NYC NY
http://www.mtvnetworkscareers.com/ /

build close, trusting, collaborative, creatively inspiring working relationships on a day-to-day basis with creative development staff in marketing discipline, and thus inspire demo/brand/show based creative concepts prior to production of marketing promotional concepts
Sr. Manager, Consumer Insights Research
MTV Networks
NYC NY
http://www.mtvnetworkscareers.com/ /

creating distribution plans for the Weekly magazine titles
Regional Distribution Manager 119450BR
Time Inc
NY
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/careers/

producing breaking news and feature pieces with an innovative and distinctive approach
Producer - NIGHTLINE 258407
Disney ABC Television Group
NYC NY
http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/index.html

managing the editorial process, line producing, and generating new ideas for the future
Senior Producer - NIGHTLINE 258378
Disney ABC Television Group
NYC NY
http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/index.html

primary responsibility will be to oversee all aspects of the CBS College Sports Network Campus Rep program
Marketing Manager 5770BR
CBS College Sports Network
NYC NY
https://sjobs.brassring.com/1033/ASP/TG/cim_home.asp?partnerid=25084&siteid=5129

liaison between client partners and the internal ad agency, collaborating with both to make sure projects are strategically on target and meet the communications needs of the client partners
Account Director 6131BR
Showtime Networks
NYC NY
https://sjobs.brassring.com/1033/ASP/TG/cim_home.asp?partnerid=25084&siteid=5129

all planning, directing, and executing of sales projects on both a local and national level, in order to meet and/or exceed established sales goals within approved budgets
Vice President of Sales 1244462
NBC Universal
Burbank CA
http://www.nbcunicareers.com/ /

developing strategy for ISM as well as overseeing the development and implementation of integrated ad sales marketing programs across all platforms
Vice President, Integrated Sales Marketing 1244941
NBC Universal
NYC NY
http://www.nbcunicareers.com/ /

write copy in short and long form for marketing ad campaigns, print collateral and internal materials/communications
Senior Copywriter, Oxygen 1243825
NBC Universal
NYC NY
http://www.nbcunicareers.com/ /

day-to-day management and completion of qualitative and quantitative research studies for NBC Universal Strategic Insights and Innovations group
Research Manager, Strategic Insights & Innovation 1243869
NBC Universal
NYC NY
http://www.nbcunicareers.com/ /

creating promos and campaigns and collaborating with the Creative Director on overall needs for the network
Senior Writer/Producer- Syfy 1243908
NBC Universal
NYC NY
http://www.nbcunicareers.com/ /

assist a Marketing Director and will help to market and increase sales in each of the NBC Universal dayparts
Marketing Manager, Network Branded Entertainment 1244402
NBC Universal
NYC NY
http://www.nbcunicareers.com/ /

assisting segment producers with locating, viewing, and editing videotape for broadcast
Associate Producer 1242883
NBC Universal
NYC NY
http://www.nbcunicareers.com/ /

responsible for all financial aspects of the $100MM+ S,G&A budget
Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis 1243132
NBC Universal
NYC NY
http://www.nbcunicareers.com/ /

responsible for the social media and other digital promotion of CNN's editorial output
Social Media Manager CNN International EMEA 119001BR
Turner Broadcasting
London England
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/careers/

coordinates with members of the production and technical staffs to create informative and entertaining sports news programs
Producer I 258313
ESPN
Bristol CT
http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/index.html

directs live television productions from the control room by "calling the shots" to the production crew, technical crew and anchors involved
Director I 258309
ESPN
Bristol CT
http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/index.html

directs live television productions from the control room by "calling the shots" to the production crew, technical crew and anchors involved
Director I 258308
ESPN
Bristol CT
http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/index.html

developing, implementing and delivering on sourcing strategies to build pipelines of diverse candidates for key skill sets and open positions
Senior Recruiter 258463
ESPN
Bristol CT
http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/index.html

support the day-to-day operations, project management and network analysis for NBC Universal
Network Specialist 1243771
NBC Universal
Englewood Cliffs NJ
http://www.nbcunicareers.com/ /

creating the information architecture and interaction design for transactional, informational, and marketing website
Information Architect/UX Designer 7604
Razorfish
Philadelphia PA
http://jobs-razorfish.icims.com/jobs/7604/job

delivering Sales revenue and for developing new advertisers for our station's multi-platform properties
Account Executive Business Development 1244429
NBC Universal
Washington DC
http://www.nbcunicareers.com/ /

oversee promo projects and campaigns from conception through execution
Writer/Producer Promotions
MTV Networks
Nashville TN
http://www.mtvnetworkscareers.com/ /

manage and implement marketing strategies to maximize property value among consumers, advertisers and cable operators
Director, Sports Marketing 119543BR
Turner Broadcasting
Atlanta GA
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/careers/

financial responsibility over all revenue and expenses related to the business (P&L responsibility)
Sr. Director, Business Operations, Golf.com 119542BR
Turner Broadcasting
Atlanta GA
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/careers/

coordinating multiple projects across multiple groups
Project Manager 119505BR
Turner Broadcasting
Atlanta GA
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/careers/

managing and executing specific aspects/work streams with strategic consulting projects and web development efforts
Manager Strategy
Organic
Detroit MI
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ORGANIC&cws=1&rid=4345

responsible for the successful delivery of large-scale client engagements and/or multiple smaller engagements for a single client
Manager, Engagement Management
Organic
Detroit MI
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ORGANIC&cws=1&rid=4346

leads and directs the development and execution of all creative strategies
Creative Director
Organic
Detroit MI
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ORGANIC&cws=1&rid=4163

serve as the key client contact and own short-term and long-term client service relationship and mobile marketing/advertising strategy for multiple accounts within the Consumer Brands, Agency and/or Wireless Carriers verticals
Account Manager, Marketer
Vibes
Chicago IL
http://www.vibes.com/contact/careers

serve as the key client contact and own short-term and long-term client service relationship and mobile marketing/advertising strategy for multiple Radio/Broadcast accounts
Sr. Account Manager - Publisher (Radio)
Vibes
Chicago IL
http://www.vibes.com/contact/careers

drive revenue through the development and execution of effective sales strategy, sales process and closing of new business contracts for mobile marketing and advertising programs
Direct Sales - Head of Agency/Consumer Brands Vertical
Vibes
Chicago IL
http://www.vibes.com/contact/careers

drive revenue through the development and execution of effective sales strategy, sales process and closing of new business contracts for mobile marketing and advertising programs
Direct Sales- Director, Mobile Sales, Marketer
Vibes
Chicago IL
http://www.vibes.com/contact/careers

developing and managing all aspects of consulting required to successfully market Global Solutions in and outside of the agency
Solutions Director 7594
Razorfish
Chicago IL
http://jobs-razorfish.icims.com/jobs/7594/job

creating the information architecture and interaction design for transactional, informational, and marketing website
Information Architect 7596
Razorfish
Chicago IL
http://jobs-razorfish.icims.com/jobs/7596/job

high level of collaboration with multiple content strategists, IAs, designers, etc.
Senior Content Strategist 7598
Razorfish
Austin TX
http://jobs-razorfish.icims.com/jobs/7598/job

day to day management of display and video ad campaigns
Campaign Manager 342
Hulu
Los Angeles CA
http://www.hulu.com/jobs

company's authoritative, day-to-day voice and liaison with the world outside Hulu headquarters
Communications Leader 455
Hulu
Los Angeles CA
http://www.hulu.com/jobs

drive and support business development efforts to distribute the Hulu Plus product across various platforms and devices
Manager, Business Development Content Distribution (Hulu Plus) 476
Hulu
Los Angeles CA
http://www.hulu.com/jobs

managing and coordinating Hulu's end-to-end Ad Operations processes with a singular goal of building a first class customer focused Operations team
Senior Ad Operations Leader 458
Hulu
Los Angeles CA
http://www.hulu.com/jobs

co-managing community managers and user moderators
Senior Manager, Social Media 1245043
NBC Universal
Universal City CA
http://www.nbcunicareers.com/ /

lead Recruitment team and key stakeholders in implementing innovative, competitive, cost-effective strategies for recruiting and selecting diverse, high-quality talent
Manager Recruitment 258373
Walt Disney Studios
Burbank CA
http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/index.html

manage and execute email marketing campaigns and programs for Disney.com
Marketing Campaign Analyst 258507
DIMG
North Hollywood CA
http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/index.html

represent the equine and exotics group of websites as an Internet marketing expert and sales manager
Internet Sales and Marketing Manager 0735
BowTie Inc
Irvine CA
http://www.bowtieinc.com/bowtieinc/jobdetail.aspx?jobid=629

producing aesthetically pleasing and well laid out pages with proper SEO
Internet Content Specialist 0734
BowTie Inc
Irvine CA
http://www.bowtieinc.com/bowtieinc/jobdetail.aspx?jobid=624

responsible for the successful delivery of large-scale client engagements and/or multiple smaller engagements for a single client
Director, Delivery Management
Organic
San Francisco CA
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ORGANIC&cws=1&rid=4065

responsible for the creation and maintenance of a dynamic and healthy client relationship
Executive Director, Engagement Management
Organic
San Francisco CA
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ORGANIC&cws=1&rid=4216

responsible for the successful delivery of large-scale client engagements and/or multiple smaller engagements for a single client
Director, Delivery Management
Organic
San Francisco CA
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=ORGANIC&cws=1&rid=4296

act as a liaison between creative/development, sales, and marketing in managing projects for the Creative Services team
Project Manager, Creative Services 4946BR
CBS Interactive
San Francisco CA
https://sjobs.brassring.com/1033/ASP/TG/cim_home.asp?partnerid=25084&siteid=5129

continually deliver a fantastic user experience and to develop and improve our new and existing games
Executive Producer 258240
DIMG
Palo Alto CA
http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/index.html

work with company leadership to establish and maintain the vision, scope, schedule, budget and resource plan for social game titles
Senior Producer, Social Gaming 258239
DIMG
Palo Alto CA
http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/index.html

develop financial models and templates for evaluating deals
Business Analyst 258233
DIMG
Palo Alto CA
http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/index.html

create, lead, manage, and grow a new marketing and advertising solutions (MAS) function, which will develop client programs that are sold by the sales force
Director of Marketing and Advertising Solutions
RealAge.com
San Diego CA
http://www.realage.com/careers

Sit N Spin this Thursday

sit n spin thursday august 5, 2010


with:

annie korzen
peter mehlman
candace brown
annie girard
roy cruz

and music by the fresh!

sit n spin takes place every other thursday at 8 pm
at the comedy central stage at the hudson theatre
6539 santa monica blvd- hollywood, 90038

call for reservations~ the show is incredibly free! 323-960-5519
**please note~ there will be NO LATE SEATING for this show**

The Loop

Playwrights -- visit The Loop online to connect with other playwrights, submission opps and tons of information about theatres big and small.  Click on the title above and it's free to become a member.

wga west upcoming events

WRITERS ON GENRE


Thursdays, 7/8-7/29, 7:30 p.m. - WGAW 2nd Floor.
(800) 838-3006 

Writers talk about genre:

Horror (7/8)
Drama and True Stories (7/15)
Sci-Fi & Fantasy (7/22)
Comedy/Romantic Comedy (7/29)

Speakers include Mark Fergus, Scott Frank, Andrea Berloff, Scott Kosar, Adam Mazer, Doug Miro, Carlo Bernard, Nicholas Meyer, David Hayter, Dan Petrie, Jr., Gavin Scott, Nicholas Stoller, Wesley Strick, Kurt Wimmer and more.

$20

WRITING FOR TELEVISION 2010: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Saturday, 7/31, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. - WGAW 2nd Floor.
(800) 838-3006 
 
An all-day seminar devoted to writing for television in a changing world. Speakers will include writers, agents, and executives. Includes light breakfast, lunch, and evening wine & cheese mixer.
 
$150.
 
Info & tickets -- click on title above.

upcoming july deadlines

DEADLINES


July 10

The Rencontres Internationales, which will take place in Paris from November 25 to December 4, is calling for entries from artists and organizations working in film, video, and multimedia. The event aims to reflect the convergences of artistic practices between new cinema and contemporary art, and explore emerging media art practices and their critical purposes. Projects selected will be on view during the similar programs that will take place in Madrid in April 2011 and in Berlin in July 2011. Artists and filmmakers of all levels of experience are encouraged to apply.

July 12

Cinereach’s Reach Film Fellowship is a specialized program for early-career filmmakers who create artful, socially relevant short films of five to 15 minutes long. Four filmmakers are selected every year to receive a $5,000 grant, production support, seven months of mentorship, career advising, and industry exposure as they progress through the production and postproduction processes and prepare for festival submission and distribution. Applicants must have completed at least one short film and live in or near New York City during the course of the Fellowship cycle. More information and application forms can be found by clicking the title above.

July 15

The Experimental Television Center is now accepting applications for residencies between September 2010 and January 2011. The Residency supports contemporary electronic media art projects by offering recipients a studio workshop with access to an image processing system, intensive individualized instruction, and time for exploration and creative growth. Artists have an opportunity to study the processes and techniques of analog and digital imaging and then use the system independently to create new work. Participating artists have complete aesthetic and technical control over all aspects of production. To find out more about the Center’s equipment and to see application guidelines, click title.

July 15

The Times Square Alliance seeks letters of interest from arts organizations and artists across disciplines to present contemporary art projects and art events in public spaces in and around Times Square. In a one-page letter, applicants can propose a single project or series for anytime from September 2010 to December 2012. Artists and arts organizations are encouraged to propose projects that address the nature and history of Times Square. Projects should be able to have an impact in a space defined by dynamic activity and continuous, competing visual stimuli. Proposal letters should not exceed 500 words and applications should include organization history or artist résumé plus five images of relevant past work. Applicants with accepted proposals will be invited to enter a dialogue with the Times Square Alliance. For submission guidelines, click title above.

July 15

The Bard Fiction Prize is awarded to an emerging writer who is an American citizen, 39-years-old or younger at the time of application. In addition to a $30,000 monetary award, the winner receives an appointment as writer-in-residence at Bard College for one semester, without the expectation that he or she teach traditional courses. The recipient is asked to give at least one public lecture and meet informally with students. To apply, candidates should write a cover letter explaining the project they plan to work on while at Bard and submit a CV, along with three copies of the published book they feel best represents their work. No manuscripts will be accepted. For more information, click on above title.

July 22

The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) is now accepting applications for its Swing Space residency program which provides studio space at LMCC’s Arts Center on Governors Island, and rehearsal space at The Vaults at 14 Wall Street. Studio space residencies will take place in five-month sessions between March and December 2011. Rehearsal space residencies will last six months, occurring November 1, 2010 to October 31, 2011. An information session will take place July 8 at The Vaults at 14 Wall Street. LMCC staff will review the application guidelines and project categories, and answer questions about the selection and placement process. For more information on the application process or the information sessions, click on title above.

fox diversity is due today

if you're submitting your original pilot to fox for consideration by the diversity program, today is the day. get yourself to the post office pronto!

for more info, click the title.

storyboard tv

Storyboard TV, an online community of scriptwriters, producers, and tv enthusiasts, has launched its website with a script competition awarding $5,000 to the writer with the best pilot for a television drama. Submissions will be accepted through March 31, 2010. Please visit www.storyboardtv.com to enter.

At storyboardtv.com, writers can share scripts for original shows with their potential audience members, while soliciting feedback and gauging enthusiasm for their story. Membership to Storyboard TV is free and open to all, and all members will be able to read, critique, and vote on their favorite pilots.

Storyboard TV believes in the power of the television drama to document, enhance, and transform people's lives. Established in 2009, Storyboard TV endeavors to cultivate new writers and TV scripts, to nurture the connection between the scriptwriter and the fan, and to shepherd new television drama into production during the Internet age.

attention tv writers

LEGAL NOTICE

If you are age 40 or over and wrote or were interested in writing for television, a proposed settlement may affect your rights.

Seventeen television networks and studios and seven talent agencies have agreed, subject to Court approval, to settle age discrimination allegations in connection with the hiring and representation of television writers age 40 or over, in nineteen separate class action lawsuits, for a collective payment of $70,000,000 Insurance carriers are paying approximately two-thirds of the settlement amount. If you qualify, you may send in a claim form to get benefits and may comment on or object to the settlement. If you do not want to be part of the settlement, you can exclude yourself.

Who's Included?

The settlement defines two classes (a) persons age 40 or over who have previously written for television, and (b) other persons age 40 or over who have been interested in writing for television. There are various qualifications and exclusions. If you believe that you may be a settlement class member, you can get more information, including a detailed notice, at the websites or telephone numbers below.

What's This About?

The separate lawsuits all claim that the networks, studios and talent agencies discriminate on the basis of age in their employment and representation decisions. The defendants (including ABC, APA, Carsey-Werner, CBS, Columbia TriStar Television, Inc., DW SKG TV LLC, formerly known as DreamWorks SKG TV LLC, Fox, NBC Universal, Paradigm, Shapiro-Lichtman, Sony Pictures Television Inc., Spelling Television, The Gersh Agency, The Endeavor Agency, The WB Television Network, Touchstone Television, TriStar Television, Inc., Twentieth Century Fox, UPN, UTA, Warner Bros. Television, William Morris Agency, and William Morris Endeavor Entertainment LLC) deny that they discriminate, but believe it makes sense to end the litigation, which has been pending since 2000. The Court did not decide which side was right.

What does the Settlement Provide?

Of the $70 million settlement, the lawyers representing Plaintiffs and the Settlement Class (Class Counsel) estimate that about $43 million will be used to pay awards to Settlement Class Members, pay taxes on those awards, fund activities beneficial to the Settlement Class Members, and fund certain reserves required under the Settlement. One-third of the Settlement will be used to pay Class Counsel's court-approved contingent fee award. The remaining 6.7% will be used to pay and reimburse expenses related to litigation of the claims and notice and administration of this Settlement. Part of that expense portion will be contributed to fund programs for Settlement Class Members.

The share of the fund that each eligible claimant receives will be based on a formula that, once devised, will be submitted to the Court for approval. It will consider many factors, including your income from and qualifications for television writing.

How do you Ask for a Payment?

To qualify for a payment, you must submit a claim form. Call or visit a website below to get one. Claim forms are due by April 13, 2010.

What are your Other Options?

If you stay in the class, you may comment on the settlement by April 14, 2010. To preserve your right to sue any of the defendants yourself for past alleged age discrimination, you must exclude yourself by April 8, 2010. If you exclude yourself, you can

t get money from the settlement. The detailed notice explains how to exclude yourself or comment. If you do nothing, you will not receive a payment, but you will still give up any right you may have to sue defendants or their affiliates and certain others about alleged age discrimination that occurred prior to January 22, 2010.

The Court will hold a hearing in these cases, which is currently scheduled for May 5, 2010, (but which may be rescheduled) to consider whether to finally approve the settlement and the request for attorneys fees and costs. You may ask to speak at the hearing.

Can I consult with Class Counsel?

Yes. To consult with Class Counsel (led by Paul Sprenger of Washington DC), at no charge, contact them at the number or website below, or email them at questions@TVWritersCounsel.com. All communications with Class Counsel are confidential and privileged.

Claims Administrator: www.TVWritersSettlementAdmin.com 1-888-730-7198
Class Counsel: www.TVWritersCounsel.com 1-877-518-7090

emerging writer prize

Entries Invited for Goldberg Prize for Jewish Fiction by Emerging Writers

An award of $2,500 and a one-week residency at Ledig House International Writers Colony in New York's Hudson Valley will be given to emerging contemporary writers exploring Jewish themes....

Posted on January 27, 2010
Deadline: March 1, 2010

playwriting contests

PREMIERE STAGES at KEAN UNIVERSITY
DEADLINE: JAN 15
Seeks submissions to the 6th annual Premiere Play Festival. Winner awarded $2,000 and a fully produced Equity production in 2010 season. Runner-up receives $750 and an Equity workshop in June; 2nd runner-up receives $500. Premiere Stages hosts public readings of all three finalists in March. FOR MORE INFO: kean.edu/premierestages.

INTERACT THEATRE COMPANY
DEADLINE: JAN 15
Seeks submissions for their 20/20 Commissions project, an ambitious initiative that will award 20 new play commissions and development grants over six seasons. Development Awards will be $2,500, while New Play Commissions will range from $5,000 - $10,000. InterAct will accept proposals on an annual basis. FOR MORE INFO: www.interacttheatre.org

submissions requested

2010 New Works Fest
The Seven: Hidden Agendas
June 17- 20, 2010

FUSION Theatre Company Announces Fifth Annual Short Works Festival

Seven fully-produced world premieres. Seven different directors. A professional ensemble cast. One winning playwright who will receive transport and lodging to Albuquerque for the festival.

GUIDELINES FOR PLAY SUBMISSION

• The plays should be inspired by the theme: “Hidden Agendas”

• Scripts may be a maximum of 10 pages.

• Each playwright may submit up to two scripts.

• Do NOT include the phrase “Hidden Agendas” in the text of the play.

• We are looking to mount premiere productions of submitted plays. If the play has previously received a fully-mounted production, please do NOT submit. Plays that have been given public readings are allowable.

• Longer one-act or full-length plays will not be accepted for consideration.

• Each manuscript must include an additional title page with name, address, phone number and e-mail address.

• The easiest and our preferred method of receiving scripts is via e-submission. There is a nominal cost of $5 to offset printing and distribution costs to do so. You may submit up to two scripts with this fee by following this link: www.fusionabq.org/TheSevenSubmissions.htm

• You may also mail your submissions AT NO COST to:

FUSION Theatre Company
Attn: The Seven Submissions
700 1st St. NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
There is no submission fee with this option.

• POSTMARKED DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: FRIDAY, APRIL 16th, 2010.

• E-Submissions will be accepted until midnight on that date.

• Entries will be acknowledged by e-mail once they have been received. Due to the volume of scripts we are unable to offer criticism or return any submissions.

• Finalists will be announced on Friday, April 23rd. The winning seven will be announced on Friday, May 7th.

grants

Sundance Documentary Fund Announces Deadlines for Spring 2010 Grants Round

The Sundance Documentary Fund is dedicated to supporting international documentary films and videos focused on current and significant issues and movements in contemporary human rights, freedom of expression, social justice, and civil liberties....

Posted on December 3, 2009
Deadline: February 9, 2010

Haitian Memorial Foundation Invites Pierre Toussaint Art and Essay Entries

Project budgets of up to $500,000 will be awarded to artists, sculptors, or high school students for their artwork, sculpture, or essays depicting a solid understanding and appreciation of Pierre Toussaint and his achievements....

Posted on December 3, 2009
Deadline: Various


National Geographic All Roads Film Project Offers Seed Grants for Indigenous Storytellers

Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to filmmakers for the development and production of a film or video that showcases indigenous or underrepresented minority-culture storytellers....

Posted on December 2, 2009
Deadline: Quarterly

tv movie contest

ION Television is partnering with the New York Television Festival (NYTVF) on a screenplay writing contest dubbed Act I: The ION Television Movie Contest. Dramatic screenwriters will have the chance to win a development deal for a TV movie on ION Television with their original drama script.

To enter the contest, writers must submit a movie treatment (5-10 pages) and the first act of their screenplay (20 to 40 pages). The deadline for entry is November 30, 2009. Visit www.nytvf.com and www.iontelevision.com for more information.

jobs in tv

WRIT/PROD ON AIR PROMOS/truTV/NYC: 3+yrs writ/prod exp. OnAirPromos/TV/Adv, Strng concept & writing abilities, Edit A+, Knwldge of truTV brand EOE/M/F/D/AAP. Apply online via www.turnerjobs.com Req#114319 (10/6)

WRITING YOUR RELIGION

WHAT IT IS: A six-week workshop that uses writing exercises and class discussion to help you explore, define, and most importantly write about religion and/or spirituality. The emphasis is on tolerance, support, and intellectual inquiry. The goal is to help you create a particular piece.

WHAT IT IS NOT: An attempt to indoctrinate or proselytize for any particular religion (or religion at all, for that matter).

WHO IT IS FOR: Writers of any genre, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, film, and TV. Writers looking to delve into their own faith (or lack thereof). Writers looking to create or finish a piece with a religious theme.

THE DETAILS: Wednesday evenings, 10/7 to 11/11, 7-9pm, at the Brewery in downtown L.A. Cost: $350. For more information call Gordon at 917-513-9009 or write to writingyourreligion@gmail.com

ABOUT THE TEACHER: Gordon Haber's fiction, criticism, and journalism has appeared in The Forward, Killing the Buddha, Zeek, the Nebraska Review, and Heeb Magazine. Gordon has taught writing at Columbia University, LaGuardia College, and NYU. In addition to an MFA from Columbia University, his awards include a Fulbright Fellowship, a Pushcart Nomination, and a residency at the MacDowell Colony.

deadlines for submissions

Public Theater Emerging Writers Group
DEADLINE: AUG 28
Through an open application process, 10 playwrights will be selected for the Emerging Writers Group. FOR MORE INFO: publictheater.org

hotINK International Festival
DEADLINE: SEPT 1
Playwrights from around the world and faculty from the Tisch School of the Arts come together. FOR MORE INFO: hotink.org.

New Dramatists
DEADLINE: SEPT 15
Now accepting writers for free seven-year residencies. FOR MORE INFO: newdramatists.org.

STAGE (Scientists, Technologies, and Artists Generating Exploration) Script Competition
DEADLINE: DEC 15
Plays must explore scientific and/or technological stories, themes, issues, or events. The winner of the STAGE competition will recieve $10,000. Multi-media theatre pieces, non-traditional plays, and new forms are encouraged. FOR MORE INFO: stage.cnsi.ucsb.edu

Women's Theatre Project
DEADLINE: ROLLING
The Women's Theatre Project is seeking full-length plays by and about lesbians written for an all female cast. Plays of interest will have a reading with an audience, with possible production in 2010 or 2011. E-mail play to twtp@bellsouth.net with "Lesibian Full-Length Play" in the subject.
FOR MORE INFO: womenstheatreproject.com

call for submissions

Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre

PO Box 1720

Mars Hill, NC 28754-1720

828-689-1384

fax 828-689-1272

sart@mhc.edu

www.sartplays.org

Thank you for your interest in ScriptFEST 2010, the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre’s 29th

Annual Playwrights’ Conference. We welcome your submission and hope the following information will

answer your questions. If you need more information, please call the SART business office at 828-689-1384.

AN OVERVIEW

SCRIPTFEST, the Playwrights’ Conference typically receives 100-200 scripts each year. A small army of

SART volunteers read each submitted script; those recommended for further review are read again by a

committee of theatre professionals. Once all scripts have been reviewed, SART invites up to six playwrights to the annual conference to hear their plays read by SART actors and Mars Hill College Theatre Arts students. Playwrights join the directors, actors, and audiences in discussions and critiques following each reading. One script may be considered by SART to be included and fully produced in a following SART summer season.

The 2010 Conference will be held in October over one weekend in the historic Owen Theatre on the

campus of Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, North Carolina. The Conference is free and open to the public; all are welcome to attend. Playwrights invited to participate in the conference are selected by late-August and receive room and board while attending the conference. If a play is chosen for production to be included in SART’s regular summer season, it will be scheduled for a one to three week run in Owen Theatre during June, July or August of one of the subsequent years, earliest being the 2011 season. The author of a script selected for production in a regular SART season will receive a $1,000 honorarium plus room and board.

Since its opening season in 1975, SART has produced fifty-seven new plays, many supported by a New

Works grant from the North Carolina Arts Council. World premieres at SART include Ark of Safety by

Howard Richardson and Francis Goforth in 1975; Wednesday’s Children by C. Robert Jones (1980); Ed

Simpson’s The Battle of Shallowford (1990); My Castle’s Rockin’ by Larry Parr (1993); William Doswell’s Full Moon Over Montmartre (2001); Finding Clara by June Guralnick (2003), Mountain of Hope by William Gregg and Perry Deane Young (2004); Finding The Absent Crescent by Gina Pauratore (2005); Taking A Chance On Love by C. Robert Jones (2006); The Memory Collection: The Legend of Bascom Lamar Lunsford by Randy Noojin (2007); Miracle in Bedford Falls by Mark Cabaniss & Lowell Alexander (2008); Home Again by William Gregg & Perry Deane Young (2009). Recent ScriptFEST winners are Ruthie by David Wright (2008), and Big Criminals by Steve Wisniewski (2009).

SART recognizes that developing new scripts is neither an easy nor a short process. The testing and

development of new material at the conference allows the playwright to refine and build the work toward

possible production. SART’s commitment to developing and producing new plays has distinguished the

company from other regional summer theatres and earned a Professional Division Award from the N.C.

Theatre Conference (NCTC).

SART MISSION STATEMENT

A professional theatre dedicated to proven favorites, heritage of the Southern Appalachians, new works development, and opportunities for students and playwrights.

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION

• New scripts of full-length plays and musicals in English that are unpublished and previously

unproduced. No One-Acts. (Scripts that have gone through a developmental process or other readings

are eligible. Scripts produced by amateur community theatres and/or educational theatres are eligible.

Scripts produced by professional theatres are not eligible.)

• TWO “hard” copies of scripts are required. And one author resume.

Author’s name and other author information should not appear in the scripts.

• Playwrights may submit up to two different titles each submission period.

• Excerpts and summaries will not be accepted without the FULL script.

• No One Acts.

• No film or television scripts, translations or adaptations.

• Adaptations of novels and short stories are acceptable. Adaptations of movies and stage scripts are not

acceptable.

• If you have submitted a particular title of yours in a previous year, it may be submitted again IF and

ONLY IF you have made significant revisions to the script since it was last submitted to us.

• Provide a LARGE self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like for SART to mail back your

script. The size of the envelope should be appropriate for the size of the script, and postage should be

the required postage necessary to deliver your script from Mars Hill NC to your address.

• Preferred submission: ALL pages at least standard 3-ring hole-punched, if not in a binder.

1. Title Page: with no other information on it but the title

2. Synopsis Page(s) (optional) inserted directly behind the Title Page: containing play synopsis,

character descriptions, and other notes. (Do not include synopsis, notes, or other important

information in your cover letter. It will not be read by the adjudicators.)

3. Script

*DO NOT have the author’s name anywhere on the Title Page, Synopsis Page or the pages of

the manuscript. If you do, your submission MAY NOT be accepted!

4. Provide ONE additional and separate Title Page including author’s name, date, etc.

5. Author’s resume or some given background including thorough information.

6. If you include a cover letter, do not include synopsis, notes or other important information in the

letter. Anything you want the adjudicators to read, include on the inserted synopsis page(s) of the

manuscripts.

• White paper. Two-sided or one-sided pages is author’s choice.

• Musicals should be submitted with the above materials, and in addition a score and/or a recording of at

least four songs on cassette or CD. (Only ONE recording is necessary for each title.)

• SART will not notify you of receipt of your submissions, unless with your submission you provide a

reply-postcard for us to send you, including postage. (optional)

• SART will contact you by email if your submissions are not chosen in the final twenty. If you would

prefer postal-mail notification, you must provide a SASE with your submission. (optional)

The deadline for submission for the 2010 ScriptFEST Conference is a postmark of no later than October 31, 2009.

Submit to: SART ScriptFEST ‘10, PO Box 1720, Mars Hill NC 28754-1720.

(We suggest you mail by the US Postal Service. UPS will not deliver to PO boxes.)

writing intensive in nyc

PLEASURE AND RISK: Testing the Limits
a weekend writing intensive with Brooke Berman and Karen Hartman

Explore pleasure and risk-taking (and the pleasure of risk-taking) in this two day exploration of what lives at the edges of your own writing.

Saturday August 8th and Sunday August 9th
1-6 pm both days
Art New York - 520 8th Avenue b/w 36th and 37th

What is more delicious, safety or breaking boundaries? This workshop will help you figure out what is SAFE, how to make a haven for yourself as an artist. We will also approach what is UNSAFE, how to move beyond individual boundaries and "limits" to create work at a new level.

Both instructors will be present the entire time, with lots of writing ideas and exercises, and opportunity to share work as well.

$250 for the weekend.

Limited space, write to Brooke and Karen at karensworkshop@gmail.com
with questions or to reserve.

Who We Are:

BROOKE BERMAN's plays have been produced and workshopped across the US and in London. She is a two-time recipient of both the Francesca Primus and Lecompte du Nouy awards; she is a recipient of a Berilla Kerr Award, a Helen Merrill Award, and a commissioning grant from the National Foundation for Jewish Culture for the play Until We Find Each Other, which was produced at Steppenwolf in 2002, directed by Anna D. Shapiro. Brooke’s play Hunting and Gathering premiered at Primary Stages, directed by Leigh Silverman, and was named one of the Ten Best of 2008 by New York Magazine. Her memoir, NO PLACE LIKE HOME, will be published by Random House in July, 2010. Brooke is also a screenwriter whose credits include the short ALL SAINTS DAY (directed by Will Frears), MAJOR MINOR DETAILS (the Mark Gordon Company), DISOBEDIENCE (Vox films), and an adaptation of her play SMASHING. Brooke has taught playwriting and creative writing as a guest artist in the New York City public school system, at assorted colleges, as well as privately to adults and through the “24 With 5 Teaching Collective” which she co-created at New Dramatists with Karen Hartman, Lynn Nottage, Jorge Cortinas and Dominick Taylor.

KAREN HARTMAN has taught playwriting for years at the Yale School of Drama, Yale University, Bennington College, and other universities and New York companies. She is the author of Gum, Leah’s Train, Goliath (Dorothy Silver New Play Prize), Going Gone (N.E.A. New Play Grant); Anatomy 1968; Girl Under Grain (Best Drama in NY Fringe; ALICE: Tales of a Curious Girl (Music by Gina Leishman, AT&T Onstage Award); Troy Women; Donna Wants, Goldie, Max, and Milk; Sea Change, a musical with AnnMarie Milazzo, and MotherBone, an opera with Graham Reynolds. Her plays have been performed in New York at the Women’s Project, NAATCO, P73, the NY Fringe, and Summer Play Festival, and at regional theaters including Center Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse, the Magic Theater, Dallas Theater Center, and elsewhere. She was awarded new play commissions from ACT in San Francisco, McCarter Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, and others. Her work is published by Theater Communications Group, Dramatists Play Service, Playscripts, Backstage Books, and NoPassport Press. An alumna of New Dramatists and Yale (B.A., M.F.A.), Karen has received playwriting support from Rockefeller Foundation at Bellagio, the N.E.A., the Helen Merrill Foundation, a Daryl Roth "Creative Spirit" Award, a Hodder Fellowship, a Jerome Fellowship, a Fulbright Scholarship to Jerusalem, and Core Membership at the Playwrights Center.