Santa Fe Screenwriting Conference
It Can Help You Get Your Movie Made

In your heart you know that you can do it better.  You can write a movie that will make people laugh, cry and look at the world in a whole new way.  All you need is a good mentor – a great writer who can teach you the ropes.   And then access.  Access to a top producer looking for a script.  If only you could get a few minutes one-on-one to give `em your pitch! That producer would lap it up, read your script – and make your movie!

Well, stop dreaming and come to the Screenwriting Conference of Santa Fe – where you can have it all! Yes, you can spend 9 hours with a mentor like Daniel Pyne, who wrote Doc Hollywood and  Pacific Heights and The Sum of All Fears.  Your mentor will help you fine tune your storyline, and get your pitch down pat.   Then, you'll get chance to sit down and pitch your script to the executives behind big hits like "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding," 'The Mummy" And "X-Men".

At this May's Screenwriting Conference of Santa Fe you can have a one on one pitching session with:

• Independent producer Tom Desanto, whose credits include X-Men, Merlyn and Apt Pupil. He will be looking for sci-fi, fantasy, horror and action scripts.
• Andrew Friedman, of Civilian Pictures in Los Angeles, who has worked on big films like John Frankenheimer's Reindeer Games, as well as small films such as the Sundance award winning documentary American Movie. He will be looking for scripts from all genres.
• Deborah D. Johnson, while VP of Production at Universal, oversaw The Mummy, Meet the Parents, U-571 and October Skies, who now represents Whirling Rainbow Productions. This newly-formed company plans to establish New mexico as a production base and is looking for action, drama, or comedy scripts that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
• HBO's Bettina Moss, whose film credits include Real Women Have Curves, American Splendor and My Big, Fat Greek Wedding, one of the top-grossing films of all time. She's on the lookout for compelling true story scripts, historical dramas, biopics and black comedies.

And many more including Andrew Dean, Producer/Manager, of Immortal Entertainment,Strath Hamilton, Producer at TriCoast Studios and executives with the Edward S. Feldman Company. "Where else outside of L.A. could you, over a weekend, pitch to sixteen producers who are looking for scripts?" asks SCSFe executive director Larry N Stouffer.,.

When I pitched my screenplay, the producer's eyes lit up. ``Sounds like something we might be interested in," he said, handing me his card for me to send him the script.   

At each conference, 5 surprise winners are announced "Actors' Choice Awards".    Actors do a staged reading of the first 10 pages of the winning screenplays.   

As I listened to the stage readings, I was delighted.  Some made me laugh, some struck a chord of emotional recognition.  But then a script came on that seemed mighty familiar.  My script.   First I cringed.  Would it be awful?  But the more I heard the more I liked it. 

"You know, this would make a damn good movie!" I said to myself.  And apparently other's agreed because the kudos just kept coming in!

But let me warn you, don't click on www.scsfe.com – the conference web site.  Why not?  Well, the first page is okay – it's just a classic old typewriter.  But you will be tempted to click on it.  Fight the urge!  For if you succumb to this temptation – you'll find yourself going crazy with choices.   

Do I want to spend my nine hours with Gina Wendkos, who's script sales include The Princess Diaries,Coyote Ugly, and Maggie's Men?  Or would I rather be mentored by Cynthia Whitcomb who has sold over 70 feature-length scripts, 25 of them produced?   Or more than a dozen other top notch experienced teachers ready and willing to share their craft with me?

Decisions, decisions!   

And then, after listening to the producer's panel,   you'll face choosing which of the 15 producers you want to have hear your pitch.  How can you possibly choose????

Wait!

You don't have to choose.   As long as you are willing to pay $35 a pop could pitch to them all!    

Mentors, producers looking for material, panel discussions and social events like the Margarita Reception and Outrageous Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch Barbeque Blowout and Wild West Fiesta.     You can have it all.    Virtually every participant I spoke with told me it was a great experience:

The Fifth Annual Screenwriting conference will be held May 28 – June 1, 2003 in the enchanting town of Santa Fe.  This year, it will be on the campus of the Garson Studios, where Billy Crystal was filmed in City Slickers.     

If you have a Gem of an Idea you'd like to turn into a screen gem, then the Screenwriting Conference in Santa Fe is a Gem of a conference made just for you!

The Conference is open to all interested screenwriters, both novice and experienced.

There's an on-line application form (http://www.scsfe.com), or you can call (505) 424-1501.

-- Arthur Kanegis

Arthur Kanegis is a writer, producer, and founder of Future WAVE, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to shifting our culture of violence to a culture of peace.  His current screenplay is a biographical story about Garry Davis, the first world citizen (see www.oneworldcitizen.com). Kanegis was a writer and producer on War Without Winners, narrated by Paul Newman, a first place winner in the American Film Festival.

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