Great stories from everyday happenings, PANO finalists, and April Fools’ Day

Happy Friday!

Marilyn Horowitz Screenwriting Award

We have picked our winners, and they will be announced on April 7.
It was very hard to choose amongst the fifty-plus entries that were submitted. Every script had something good about it. I was impressed by the high level of craft in the scripts, and how accomplished all of the writers are. I applaud every one of the applicants for their hard work.

This Week’s Word of the Day Webinar

Our biweekly webinars are getting to be more and more fun!  In this session, the focus was twofold: firstly, how important it is to create lots of stories so that you can pick the best ones to work on, and secondly, daily life can be so much better when you understand that everything that happens has the seed of a good story within it.

I asked each student what the most seemingly inconsequential thing that happened to them that day was. Then we each created a Word of the Day cluster around that event and then developed it into a story by connecting the seemingly random group of words. I was amazed at how much good material emerged from this brief exercise.

For example, one student’s annoying trip to a Home Depot to find a battery turned into a parable about the power of building community. Another student created a hilarious story about how her cat knocked over her favorite cup full of diuretic tea, got upset with the broken cup, beat it up, and then peed on it!  She got a collective belly laugh! A third student who rarely eats out told a story about how having a bad sandwich in a restaurant reminded her of how much she appreciates her life! Each story was entertaining and had a message!
The Next Word of the Day Webinar

Join the fun and learning! Our next Word of the Day webinar is on April 12. Please go to this link to sign up:
https://forms.gle/zUjwuvyhamfWjpKb9
Regarding April Fools’ Day

I don’t think wishing anyone a “happy” April Fools’ Day is wise, so I’ll wish you a safe one. May you not be at the receiving end of someone’s practical joke!

If you’re interested in why the holiday exists, here’s a place to look.https://www.britannica.com/topic/April-Fools-Day

Here’s to your writing success,

Professor Marilyn Horowitz

Scriptapalooza Features and Shorts Competition. The last-minute deadline is April 3. A cash prize of $10,000 is awarded to the feature winner. Visit the site here for more information.

New Media Film Festival Script Competition. The last call deadline is April 6. The top three scripts win industry memberships and a chance to win $45,000 in cash and awards. Click here for entry and award information.

PAGE International Screenplay Awards. The final deadline is April 10. This contest accepts scripts in ten different genre categories. To enter and have a chance to win over $50,000 in cash and prizes, submit your registration here.