2013 CSA QUARTERFINALISTS

1066: THE BASTARD - Marc Heberden, Bellingham, WA

11 - Troy Taylor, Melbourne, Australia

A REVERANCE FOR SPIDERS - Faiza Ambah, France             

ALBERT'S LIE, Judy Vann, Los Angeles, CA

ANOTHER GOODBYE - Ryan Christopher Churchill, Toronto, Canada

ANOTHER LIFE - Sal Bardo, Weehawken, NJ

BALLERS - Kayne Gorney, Los Angeles, CA

BLUEBIRD - Nat Bouman, Brackney, PA

CAKE - Patrick Tobin, Long Beach, CA

CRATER - Luke Pimentel, Petaluma, CA

CUTTER'S DAUGHTER - Curtis David Sackett, Los Angeles, CA

CUTTING NUMBERS - Morgan von Ancken, New York, NY

DEAD DOLORES - Michael Yagnow, Brooklyn, NY

DIVERSION - George Covic, Capistrano Beach, CA

EXVITRO - Maria Hinterkoerner, New Orleans, LA

F_CK YOU MONEY - Matt Straquadine, New York, NY

FIRST LIGHT - Douglas Stark, Glendale, CA

FISH STICKS - Stephen Buck, Marina del Rey, CA

FLOATING PRINCESS - Lyvia A Martinez, Burbank, CA          

FUTURE SCHOOL - Uli Izar, Los Angeles, CA

HOLY MOLE - Marie Roughan, Mill Valley, CA

I, OF THE HURRICANE - Ken Pearson, Scottsdale, AZ

INTERVIEW - Ray Gettman Bush, St. Louis, MO

JOKERS & THIEVES - Mark Rathaus, Westlake Village, CA

KARMA - Cuban Gore, Brisbane, Australia

KEENER - Corey Mayne, Windsor, Canada

LIFE IN THE MINORS - Stephen Bralver, Pacific Palisades, CA

LOUSY LAY - Robert Watson, Sherman Oaks, CA

LUCY GOES BALLISTIC - Charlie Lyons, Somerville, MA

MANDROID & WIFE - Marjory Kaptanoglu, Belmont, CA

ME & SIMON BAKER - Michael Klug, Hollywood, CA

NEVERSLEEP - Giles Daoust, Bruxelles, Belgium

OFFSIDES - Rebekah Reaves, Houston, TX                           

OLE - Jon Price & Jerry Rapp                                                    

SEVEN DAYS IN ROSETOWN - David Hudacek, Lexington, MA

SIX WEEKS IN HEAVEN - Chris Phillips, Sydney, Australia

SNAPPER - Claire Fowler, Bronx, NY                                       

THE BECKONING BUSH - Deborah Vajda, St. Paul, MN

THE CLEAR HORIZON - William Flannigan, Glendale, CA

THE CROSSING - Shawn Pittard, Sacramento, CA

THE FINAL DAYS OF RALPH WALDO - Brian Rawlins, Topanga, CA

THE GOOD COACH - Scott Sublett, San Jose, CA

THE LONG SHOT - Lorrie Smith, Silver Spring, MD

THE MOONBEAM FISHERMAN - John Dummer, Chicago, IL 

THE OVERSEER - David Weston, Santa Monica, CA

THE PHANTOM KNIGHTS - Rex Carter, Portland, OR

THE PRAIRIE BOYS - Ash Corristine, County Laois, Ireland

THE PRICE OF FLOWERS - Ashley Charbonnet, New Orleans, LA

THE RIM OF THE WORLD - Bettina Moss, Los Angeles, CA

THE SECRET LIFE OF SISTER JANE DARE - Debra Vance, Santa Barbara, CA

THE TALOQUAN NETWORK - Robert Hestand, Los Angeles, CA

THE TURNING SEASON - Monique Mata, Little Compton, RI

THROUGH THE CRACKS - David Rocchio, Stowe, VT              

WRATH - Abraham Frank, Los Angeles, CA

YOUR PLANET OR MINE - Richard Hohenrath, Cary, NC    

CineStory: For those who don't know, give us the logline for your fellowship-winning script, LE MECANO:
Lukas Hassel: "An introverted mechanic is haunted by the brutal lynching of a gay young man in his Algerian hometown.  Propelled by reasons unknown even to himself, the Mechanic goes on a mysterious journey to track down the young man's life in Paris."

CS: Where did the inspiration for the story come from and how long did you work on it before submitting for the 2012 CSA's?
LH: Every day the news are filled with stories of women and minorities having to suffer unimaginable terrors in the name of piousness. Women's noses cut off, acid thrown in faces for refusing marriage proposals, gay men hung purely for their sexuality. I knew I wanted to explore this. Explore the silent approval of the many who let this happen, not just the few who perform the heinous deeds. It was probably the easiest script I've written to date. I had a clear vision, a clear outline, a clear understanding of my characters. Took me less than a year from beginning to end (as much as it's ever "ended"...)

CS: What's your aim with this script? Are you looking for a sale or option or are looking to direct it yourself?
LH: This is a script that I plan to direct. I have a good basis for arguing that I'll be the best option for this. I know this story, know its heartbeat. It won't be easy, but with a good crew and team for support, it'll happen.

CS: What has been happening with your script since you won the fellowship back in August 2012?
LH: The CineStory Fellowship generated a huge amount of interest. Backed up by great results in both the Nicholl and Big Break contests. I'm in talks with several producers, all trying to figure out a way of making it happen. It's a difficult script. Harsh and in your face. Not for everyone. For producers it's a unique puzzle to fall into place with a possible co-financing between US/Europe. Thankfully a great handful of believers, CineStory included, works hard for Le Mécano to get made.

CS: How has your fellowship year fared so far? What's it like working with your mentors and how have they help to advance your progress with LE MECANO or with your career in general?
LH: My mentors are amazing. Both incredibly busy with their own careers, they have found a way to be involved and very hands on. Susan Cartsonis, in particular, has been outstanding. We are in constant contact and I've already learned so much about the aftermath of writing a great script. It's really just the beginning.

CS: What's the most important thing you've learned from your mentor-fellow relationship so far?
LH: Not being afraid to reach out, and ask the tough questions. Think creatively about what you need. Don't sit back and expect everyone to work hard for you, but stay involved, stay hungry, stay focused.

From writer-directors to writer-producers, many writers make their mark by wearing two hats. What kinds of opportunities does the hyphenate open up? Does having a reel, short film or webseries that you directed or produced add value to your career?

In this informal room from the 2012 Retreat, Seth Jaret, CEO of Content Engine, and Josh, a literary manager, speak to this question and the implications of the changing mediaverse for writers trying to succeed in today's Hollywood.

And if you enjoy this podcast, check out Seth's Hollywood Drive & Talk series more great advice on navigating the business:

Don't miss out on your chance to be the next CineStory Fellow or to attend the 2013 CineStory Writers Retreat. Enter the CineStory Screenwriting Awards today!

Late deadline: February 15th, 11:59pm
Entry fee: $65

SPECIAL OFFER: 2 entries for $90

If you've already entered one script, pay the difference and enter a second at this discounted rate. Just email us for instructions: contest@cinestory.org.

Grand Prize includes $5000 cash, free admission to the Retreat and a 12-month fellowship program.

Here's what 2011 and 2012 Retreat attendee Ken Pearson has to say about why any writer should attend.

2012 CineStory Retreat - Writer Ken Pearson

Enter here: http://www.cinestory.org/enternow

2012 CineStory Campaign for a New Website from CineStory on Vimeo.

 For over 17 years, CineStory, a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit, has been dedicated to nurturing original voices in screenwriting. Alumni have penned films such as IRON MAN, CHILDREN OF MEN, BALLAST, KING OF CALIFORNIA, DARK MATTER and PHOEBE IN WONDERLAND.

In 2013, CineStory seeks to launch a new website to provide tools for aspiring and emerging screenwriters wherever they may be. 

Acting as a trusted source of information, the new CineStory website will bring this artistic community free podcasts, webinars, forums and articles about the craft and business of screenwriting.

Curated from existing resources as well as drawing on CineStory’s stable of incredible mentors, all of whom are working Hollywood professionals, the site will offer in-depth advice and analysis on all things screenwriting that blends real world expertise with a love of the craft in its purest form.

If you love great films, consider supporting great screenwriters with a tax deductible donation that includes all kinds of perks!

PERKS INCLUDE

TAKE TWO MEETINGS ($1500 Level)

One 60-min Skype/phone meeting with Academy Award nominated writer Mark Fergus (CHILDREN OF MEN, IRON MAN, COWBOYS AND ALIENS) plus one 60-min meeting with literary agent and founder of THE CALLAMARO AGENCY  Lisa Callamaro.

DAVID MAMET PACKS ($250 Level)

Redbelt Package #1

REDBELT book signed by David Mamet,

REDBELT T-shirt, Prop slate from 'Perimeter Mark', Prop director's chair canvas from 'Perimeter Mark'  

Redbelt Package #2

REDBELT DVD, REDBELT baseball cap,  

REDBELT hoodie, Prop 'Instructor's Award' wall plaque  

The Unit Package

THE UNIT Seasons 1-3 DVDs, 

THE UNIT cap, Episode #404 script signed by David Mamet

General Package

SPEED THE PLOW T-shirt, SPEED THE PLOW Money clip, SPEED THE PLOW Key chain, REDBELT Fleece, THE UNIT water bottle  

DONATE NOW

The drive up to Idyllwild was the first time I had joined a writers’ retreat and seriously put myself, and my work, out to the world. I have to admit, I was frightened of the notes process; but Sharon Bordas, Jonathan Fernandez and Susan Cartsonis were kind and helped me weather a process that I found scary and intimidating. Up until this point, I had basically paid for notes from various people and contests. This was the first time I was to sit with a professional, in person, who I didn’t know or hire to give me notes on a project. The process was still hard, but I learned where I had to grow as a professional in terms of unhooking from my work as an extension of my personhood and to look at a “finished” script as a product and not as a proclamation of who I was.

I was blessed to be mentored by Meg and Lisa who helped me suss out my identity as an artist, and budding writer, in my own right. They were invaluable to me as I grew emotionally in my process, identifying who I was, personally, as a screenwriter. Both Lisa and Meg were steeped in wisdom and lent me their ego strength, and their maturity, to see a model of what I could become.

I had the really huge bonus of being mentored by David Baird, who is a literary manager, and knew TV – the primary area and active arena in which I am working to break-in. David’s guidance and mentoring was a treasure above and beyond all my expectations. I was thrilled to discover that he had a relationship with a professional writer I knew… who then became a closer friend.

I can’t recommend Cinestory enough. Everyone with this program are authentic and caring professionals, showing a side of the industry most don’t get to see. Bookmark this site, join up on a retreat. You won’t be sorry!

Thanks to Langtry for their generous donation! How lucky we are.