Do you really think you can't write, right now?

Screening date for the OTPF!

2006-10-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

It's official - we have a date set for the screening of the 1st annual OTPF (Ottawa Television Pilot Festival):

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2006 (EVENING)

and if required

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2006 (MORNING/AFTERNOON)

Following are the directors we have signed up so far:

1. Kim Guite (Director/Writer/Producer)
2. Stephanie Halin (Writer/Producer) w/ Director: Miles Finlayson Producer: Claudia Jurt
3. Claudia Jurt (Director/Writer/Producer) w/ DOP: Miles Finlayson Editor: Ben Manthorpe
4. Peter Jurt (Director/Writer/Producer) w/ Producer: Claudia Jurt
5. Kathy Logan (Director/Writer/Producer)
6. Steve Stransman (Director/Writer/Producer) w/ Producer: Claudia Jurt
7. Christian Yurt (Director/Writer/Producer) w/ Producer: Claudia Jurt

For those of you who still wish to join, we are accepting applications until early next week. (see applications instructions in previous blog)

This will hopefully be the first of many annual OTPF's!

Best wishes,

Claudia Jurt

Writer's Blogck

2006-10-28T07:54:00.000-07:00

My Dear SADC members & Friends,

It happens to the best of us (haha...cliche writing too).
The most feared affliction when writing on a timeline: WRITER'S BLOCK

dun dun duhhhhhh.....

If you are suffering from this bug or if you want a challenge - write a scene that consists any of the following:

1. your first kiss
2. your most embarrassing high school moment
3. your first love
4. an acquaintance that has really bad breath
5. (eeeekk...I'm starting to experience WB as I write this)
6. Addiction (food, alcohol, drug, sex, nicotine, internet)
7. OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
8. Internet Dating
9. a scandalous affair in your office
10. incest
11. Your favourite pet
12. customer service
13. hidden treasures in an attic
14. a first date
15. pet peeve(s)
16. slumber party
17. night at the cottage
18. ghosts
19. magic
20. adoption
21. food poisoning
22. finding out you or your girlfriend is pregnant
23. deja vu
24. someone leading a double life
25. dancing for a living
26. visiting a nursing home
27. prank calls
28. deception

There you have it folks - 28 possibilities on Oct. 28, 2006 - there are an infinite number of scenes that we can create with the list above..

Happy, Crappy, Sappy Writing.

Cheers,
C :)

Make Your Movie Contest

2006-10-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

ALIEN HARVEST - tonight at 6:30pm, 90 University, Alumni Auditorium (Ottawa U Campus) Be there...or the ADD will get you...

Also on the horizon...

Check out Carlton Holder's blog:
www.makeyourmoviecontest.blogspot.com

Super cool stuff!! The energy on that blog feels just like the one we're creating with the SADC and OTPF - awesome stuff - and they plugged our blog. Yahoo!
It's always so much fun to connect with people all over the world - Carlton is from Temecula, California!!

Need Teens for your film or TV pilot?

2006-10-27T05:24:00.000-07:00

Either way, come check out Ottawa's up and coming actors in the premiere of ALIEN HARVEST!

YOU ARE INVITED!!!!

Come check out A.C.T.'s up and coming young actors in its latest production,
'ALIEN HARVEST' on Friday, October 27, 2006
6:30 pm - Light Refreshments & Mingling

7:00pm - Screening

Alumni Auditorium, 90 University
(located on the University of Ottawa Campus, across from the Residential Complex)
and help us raise money for A.C.T. equipment upgrades by entering a 50/50 draw!!

This is event is hosted by A.C.T. (Acting for Cinema & Television) and will be screening a number of short films (Alien Harvest, La Commercial, Murder for Beginners & Ring of Vision) produced by A.C.T. students, alumni & members.

A.C.T. proudly presents the premiere of
Alien Harvest (Directed by Jared Cote, Claudia Jurt, & Rob Thompson), a short film starring a group of very talented ‘Young Movie Makers’.

Join in the fun with Ottawa’s finest industry folk.

RSVP by email Info@ACTottawa.com
or call 613.565.2107

Admission is FREE

www.ACTottawa.com

Ottawa Television Pilot Festival

2006-10-19T05:07:00.000-07:00

Dearest SADC Members,
I sincerely hope that the writing has been going well...or at least going. When I actually sit down and do the work (ie: writing my scenes), I feel a great sense of accomplishment. I realize that it's not just the writing, but the fact that I have been paying more attention to life as it unfolds. People are SO INTERESTING!! Sometimes we have to 'taste (see, touch, smell) it again for the first time'. It's incredible. Pay attention. (some great advice I received from a great teacher who received it from a great teacher). I've been working on scenes that will potentially turn into episodes of a television series - the series is called "It's Funny 'Cause It's True". I find that when I write, I tend to write numerous scenes over 7-12 pages. A half-hour episode is 22 minutes = 22 pages. FYI.

So...I have decided to create a festival. OTPF (Ottawa Television Pilot Festival).
Date: Feb or March 2007 (TBD)
Location: National Archives on Wellington (TBD - availability of this location will determine the date)

If you have a solid set of scenes that equal 22 pages (in proper format, ie: final draft) and you want to see it come to life, you may want to consider joining the festival.

There are a limited # of spots avaible. ie: 22 x 7 = 2hrs. & 34min.

So...depending on the application interest and space/time availability, we may or may not hold two evenings.

How does one join?
Send an application to me claudiajurt at hotmail.com
Please include the following:
1. your name, address, email, contact #'s
2. your tv pilot idea or scene that you wish to work from - you do not have to have a completed written project at this stage and if accepted you may still change from the one that was submitted
3. a committment to finishing the pilot (written, filmed, edited, ready to screen on DVD) by the deadline at the end of January/early February)
4. some of your key people ie: if not you, who is your director, writer(s), producer (s)

As the individual entering the festival, you must be at least one of the key players: Producer, Writer, Director, Cinematographer - you may decide to write, direct & produce...that is up to you.
You may also choose to co-apply w/ a partner ie: one of you writes and one of you directs or you both collaborate as co-writers/co-directors, etc...

Overwhelmed yet?

Don't be. This is very doable if you set your mind to it.

Concerned about financing?

Don't be. There are ways to do this on the cheap.
Following are ways to get these done for little to no money.

1. Equipment:
a) Saw Video - very cheap for independent artists www.sawvideo.com
b) Friends w/ equipment...start sucking up now
c) Getting sponsors to lend you equipment ie: local production companies.
(OTPF will be looking into this also)

2. Crew:
a) Fellow SADC members - I'm confident all participants can help one another out as crew
b) post a notice on www.actottawa.com, www.sawvideo.com, www.ifco.ca, www.ottawa.craigslist.org (if you don't have money to pay them, offer a copy and credit)
c) Cash in favours from your industry friends

3. Casting:
a) post a FREE notice on www.actottawa.com, www.aactionauditions.com, www.ottawatheatre.ca
b) send your project proposal to Ottawa Casting - they just might agree to cast your project for FREE (wink, wink)

Why join the OTPF?

1. See your work on the big screen
2. Get your work judged by industry professionals (we are approaching local and surrounding producers/directors/writers to attend the festival as judges)
3. Get submitted into festivals (TBD)
4. Start building your demo for financing for bigger projects
5. Have your work seen by potential producers looking for new TV show ideas - this will be like a pitching session one step ahead of the pitch

Interested in participating on a crew? (please reply to this post, click on the comment section at the bottom)

Interested in being a key player? (email above application details to claudiajurt @ hotmail.com)

A few people have already been accepted into the festival (see list below):
1. Stephanie Halin (Key Position TBD) w/ Producer: Claudia Jurt
2. Claudia Jurt (Director/Writer/Producer) w/ DOP: Miles Finlayson Editor: Ben Manthorpe
3. Peter Jurt (Director/Writer/Producer) w/ Producer: Claudia Jurt
4. Steve Stransman (Director/Writer/Producer) w/ Producer: Claudia Jurt

This is going to be a blast!!!!

The STRANSATIONAL CHALLENGE

2006-10-18T11:17:00.000-07:00

Okay ladies and gentlemen boys and girls dogs and cats and everything else

I'm proposing something to spice up the olllllll scene-a-day club.

Write 3 scenes that form the beginning, middle, and end of a story.

I know that seems really vague and unhelpful, but just think about it for a bit. Feel free to expand on a previous scene idea, or whatever you want. But just try to see if, in 3 scenes, you can wrap up a tight story. See what happens. It might take a little more prep than usual but its worth a shot. Mine'll be up in a couple days.

Lots of love and good vibes always

Stephen James Stransman

Challenge: A scene of thanks

2006-10-07T05:47:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody,
Things have been hectic with movies & moving (that's not an excuse though), but that's pretty much why I've been resisting writing on here. Shameful I know.
So, for this weekend I thought it would be fun to challenge all SADC members to write at least one Thanksgiving related scene. Write, eat turkey, write, eat turkey, write...

Also, feel free to hit the COMMENT link at the bottom of these blog entries to post your own thoughts.

Finally, have you ever wanted to direct a movie or have your script produced? Stay tuned for an upcoming SADC challenge: From page to screen

Happy Thankswriting,

C :)

Do you really think you can't write, right now?: The SADC welcomes its lucky #13.

2006-09-27T04:40:00.000-07:00

Do you really think you can't write, right now?: The SADC welcomes its lucky #13.

Correction to SADC Membership

2006-09-26T21:51:00.000-07:00

Ok, so the member list & order that I've been posting has been slightly off. Thanks to our newest member, NICHOLAS POPE, I have come to realize that KATHY LOGAN & NATASHA JETTE joined the SADC on my other blog (www.being-claudia.blogspot.com) on September 15, 2006 (before the SADC blog was created). Anyhow, following is the most up-to-date SADC member list. If you've been reading this blog and/or writing your scenes, we would love to have your comments posted here. Feel free to share your thoughts on writing, post questions, express your frustration, joy, love, hate, anything! Just write to your fellow SADC members. :)

CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE SADC:
1. Claudia Jurt (as of Sep. 10, 2006)
2. Nancy Kenny (as of Sep. 10, 2006)
3. Meghanne Kessels (as of Sep. 10, 2006)
4. Stephanie Halin (as of Sep. 12, 2006)
5. Kathy Logan (as of Sep. 15, 2006)
6. Natasha Jetté (as of Sep. 15, 2006)
7. Corry Burke (as of Sep. 18, 2006)
8. Steve Stransman (as of Sep. 20, 2006)
9. Caitlin Emond (ad of Sep. 20, 2006)
10. Normand Laniel (as of Sep. 22, 2006)
11. Peter Jurt (as of Sep. 23, 2006)
12. Jonquil Garrick (as of Sep. 23, 2006)
13. Kim Guite (as of Sep. 23, 2006)
14. Mark Slacke (as of Sep. 24, 2006)
15. Nicholas Pope (as of Sep. 26, 2006)

If any new members wish to join, please post a message on this blog expressing your so-called wish - it's just that simple (for now).

Now, write, write, write!

C :)

The SADC welcomes its lucky #13.

2006-09-25T07:06:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS to MARK SLACKE - SADC Member #13.

At this rate, we'll have to organize a meeting
very soon...

Stay tuned!

C

Today's Challenge - Get out of your SADC debt

2006-09-24T04:25:00.000-07:00

Ladies and Gentleman of the SADC,

Today is clean-up day, so to speak. I am aware that a few of you are in some serious 'scene debt' - so I will only challenge that you get out of that debt today.
Remember, the quality and the quantity of the scene(s) is not important.
All you have to do is write. You will feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment upon completion. I know...I've been in 'scene debt' and I admit that I'm in it right now.
My committment for today is to get out of debt by bringing my laptop to set and working away any chance I get. It's time to kill the guilt now...you know who you are... ;)

Also, the work of SADC member #6. Steve Stransman, has been quite enjoyable to read, you can check it out at www.sadcsteve.blogspot.com

Happy or Crappy Writing,

C :)

More SADC Members!

2006-09-23T18:45:00.000-07:00

Wow - what an excellent day for membership.
The SADC warmly welcomes the following new members:
CAITLIN EMOND
NORMAND LANIEL
PETER JURT
KATHY LOGAN
JONQUIL GARRICK
KIM GUITE

CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE SADC:
1. Claudia Jurt (as of Sep. 10, 2006)
2. Nancy Kenny (as of Sep. 10, 2006)
3. Meghanne Kessels (as of Sep. 10, 2006)
4. Stephanie Halin (as of Sep. 12, 2006)
5. Corry Burke (as of Sep. 18, 2006)
6. Steve Stransman (as of Sep. 20, 2006)
7. Caitlin Emond (ad of Sep. 20, 2006)
8. Normand Laniel (as of Sep. 22, 2006)
9. Peter Jurt (as of Sep. 23, 2006)
10. Kathy Logan (as of Sep. 23, 2006)
11. Jonquil Garrick (as of Sep. 23, 2006)
12. Kim Guite (as of Sep. 23, 2006)

The SADC boasts a dozen members already!

Who wants to be the lucky #13?

New Member - Peter Jurt

2006-09-23T09:05:00.000-07:00

Dear SADC Members & Readers,

Please welcome Peter Jurt (Claudia's brother) as the
newest member of the SADC!

Following is an updated list of members.

CURRENT MEMBERS OF SADC:
1. Claudia Jurt (as of Sep. 10, 2006)
2. Nancy Kenny (as of Sep. 10, 2006)
3. Meghanne Kessels (as of Sep. 10, 2006)
4. Stephanie Halin (as of Sep. 12, 2006)
5. Corry Burke (as of Sep. 18, 2006)
6. Steve Stransman (as of Sep. 20, 2006
7. Normand Laniel (as of Sep. 22, 2006)
8. Peter Jurt (as of Sep. 23, 2006)

Just Keep Writing,

C :)

SADC Challenge for September 23, 2006

2006-09-23T07:08:00.000-07:00

It is exciting to see that the SADC is growing quickly - before you know it, we will have organized meetings to read one-another's scenes, daily, weekly and/or monthly challenges, actual productions, publications, screenings, presentations of our work...the possibilites are endless!

So, I shall begin with today's challenge:

Use the word: LOVE at least 3 times in your scene today.

This challenge is inspired by the show Grey's Anatomy, my roommate was watching it and from where I was sitting, I was vaguely listening, but I swear, I heard the word JEALOUS used at least ten times in that episode. Interesting...very interesting...great show btw.

Keep writing,
C

SADC FAQ

2006-09-23T06:04:00.000-07:00

1. Do I have to be a good writer to join the SADC?

A: No. The quality of your writing is not a deciding factor on membership. Whether you have always had a desire to write but have never done so or you are already a published writer - you are welcome to join the SADC.

2. How do I become a member of the SADC?

A: That's Easy - just reply to any SADC blog with your name and decision to join the SADC. The day you join you must begin writing one scene a day. If you wish to receive SADC newsletters, attend SADC meetings, etc.., please send your complete information to SADC President at claudiajurt@hotmail.com (Please include your full name, email, telephone #, DOB, date of membership).

3. Will you sell or give out my personal information?

A: Never. However, your email address will be added to the SADC group email list. Unless you request otherwise, other SADC members will have access to your email.

4. What if I want to remain anonymous on the SADC blog?

A: Not a problem. When you join, just give us an anonymous name that you will use for your SADC writing.

5. What is the cost to join the SADC?

A: There is no cost to join the SADC.

6. Do I have to publish my scenes on a blog to participate?

A: No you do not. Most members keep their work confidential. You must keep track of your SADC work by giving each scene or set of scenes a title and date.

7. Does the SADC recommend that I post my work online?

A: No. Some members may choose to post all of their scenes on a blog - this is a personal decision. However, when you post anything online, you risk having your ideas/work stolen.

8. Will the SADC pay for my work?

A: No, the SADC was created to inspire people to write. What you choose to do with the product(s) of your SADC work is solely up to you.

9. How do you know if a member has actually been writing a scene a day?

A: Unless members send in their work (this is not a requirement at this point) the SADC can only go by the honour system. The SADC is meant to help writers help themselves! If you're not writing you're only cheating yourself.

10. Is the SADC open only to residents of Canada?

A: No. The SADC is open to anyone from anywhere in the world.

11. Is the president of the SADC a professional writer?

A: Not yet. The SADC makes no claims to any 'proper' writing methods or ways to get published.

12. How long does a scene have to be?

A: A scene can be as long as you want or as short as the following example:

INT. BATHROOM - DAY

An ELDERLY WOMAN enters the bathroom and looks at herself in the mirror. She is crying.

FEMALE VOICE (OS)
Mom, come on. Everyone's waiting to eat.

The elderly woman scowls at the mirror and exits the bathroom.

13. Do I have to attend the SADC meetings/events to be a member?

A: No. The only requirement for membership is to write one scene a day.

14. If I attend an SADC meeting, do I have to show my work?

A: No. However, all members are welcome to bring in their scenes to have them read by other members and/or read out loud by the group.

15. Can I email my work to other members for feedback?

A: Absolutely! However, the SADC cannot guarantee a response from any given member.

Resistance is a powerful monster...

2006-09-23T05:01:00.000-07:00

Please note: The message below was sent to SADC members on September 21, prior to the creation of the SADC blog.

Resistance is a powerful monster that will stop at nothing to prevent us from writing. Don't let resistance close the doors to our club - start writing at once!

I feel it is my duty as the SADC President, to inform you that I too have been bit by the resistance monster. But I continue to fight. The last time I wrote was on September 14, until today I was in debt approx. 13 scenes. I finally wrote again today. I wrote well beyond the 13 required scenes. I realized yet again that it is key not to pressure yourself. Simply sit down and do the work. Write one scene a day. You'll be surprised to find yourself coming up with more and more ideas as you go. But it's also ok if you don't. Every moment of every day will be a different experience. And that's a good thing!

Important note: Regarding our latest SADC rule (If you miss a day, you owe 2 scenes (instead of 1) for that) - however, if you write two scenes today, it doesn't mean you can skip tomorrow - it doesn't work that way. No matter what, you must write one scene (or more) a day - we don't encourage skipping days, but we know that it happens.

Happy Writing!

Claudia :)

SADC Rules & General Guidelines

2006-09-23T04:53:00.000-07:00

The following list is provided to help you along on your writing journey. The only rule that absolutely MUST be followed: Write at least ONE scene a day

SADC Rules & General Guidelines
(subject to change)
1. Write at least one scene each day - it can be hand written or typed and written for any medium (ie: screenplay, television, documentary, stage, commercial, novel, children's story, etc...). The scenes may or may not relate to one another.
2. Make sure to title and date each scene and keep them on file.
3. When you feel inspired, reply to the most current SADC entry on this blog with your progress, revelations, frustrations, questions and/or advice to fellow SADC members.
4. Membership is open to any and all people with an interest in becoming more creative. Simply reply to any SADC postings on this blog.
5. SADC member meetings will be organized periodically to discuss & read one another's scenes. Eventually we may choose to amalgamate all of our individual scenes or a combination of the SADC members scenes to create a feature film, tv series, etc... (membership does not require that you attend these meetings, but it is recommended).
6. When writing a scene, do not worry about quantity or quality. The only objective is to write. Eventually you will have so many scene ideas you won't know what to do with them all. Don't get overwhelmed, simply re-read Guideline #1.
7. Writing without the pressure of brilliance will give members less opportunity to resist. We are here to beat creative resistance.
8. Do not write a scene with a previous or future scene in mind. They do not have to relate. They can, but they don't have to. At this point we don't want to stilt anything.
9. Membership begins the day that you reply to any SADC blog and write your first scene.
10. If you miss a day, you owe 2 scenes (instead of 1) for that - however, if you write two scenes today, it doesn't mean you can skip tomorrow - it doesn't work that way. No matter what, you must write one scene (or more) a day - we don't encourage skipping days (but #$@% happens).
11. Just keep on writing.

Welcome to the SADC

2006-09-23T04:37:00.000-07:00

The SADC (Scene a Day Club) was founded on September 10, 2006 by Claudia Jurt (SADC President) when she discovered that she would never write anything if she kept saying things like, "I want to write a feature, but I can't write anything until I come up with a brilliant idea - it has to really hit me first." Sound familiar? Well, I, Claudia have yet to come up with that 'brilliant' idea for a feature film. However, since starting the SADC and taking all the pressure off myself, I have written some pretty funny scenes (if I do say so myself)! Eventually, I believe that these funny scenes could turn into a series of short films, a tv series or even a feature film - anything is possible...but NO PRESSURE.

The goal of the SADC is to inspire people to write. The goal is to open up our creative selves by committing to writing one scene a day.

CURRENT MEMBERS OF SADC:
1. Claudia Jurt (as of Sep. 10, 2006)
2. Nancy Kenny (as of Sep. 10, 2006)
3. Meghanne Kessels (as of Sep. 10, 2006)
4. Stephanie Halin (as of Sep. 12, 2006)
5. Corry Burke (as of Sep. 18, 2006)
6. Steve Stransman (as of Sep.20, 2006
7. Normand Laniel (as of Sep. 22, 2006)

JOIN THE SADC FUN TODAY!!!

Happy Writing!
(or sad, angry & scared)

C :)