Resoultions... and I'm not talking 1080p

Well, January seems to have FLOWN by and it seems like the appropriate time to reflect on resolutions made for 2011.

Quitting smoking and losing weight are always popular resolutions, but what about ones specific to you- the screenwriter? I've got a few ideas:

• Network with other writers/producers/industry professionals
• Get advice from an industry pro (with a track record)
  
• Get (and READ) a good book on screenwriting
• Learn something new (Like how to write for video games), get out of your comfort zone

Adding just one of these resolutions to your list (and being able to cross it off) could yield great results for your writing and your carer.

Attending the Toronto Screenwriting Conference 2011 would give you the opportunity to achieve all of the resolutions I've mentioned, you owe it to yourself to be there!

With all the resolutions you could cross off by April, you've freed up 8 months for the rest of your resolutions like:

• Not beginning sentences with "So today on Twitter I..."

• Eating yogurt even if it is a few days past the expiry date (you do know what yogurt is right?)
  

• Avoiding the use of air quotes because your co-workers/family members find them "annoying"

• Insisting on the correct pronunciation of non- English places and words (e.g. "I think you meant Bar-th-elona")

Or you could continue working on that screenplay...

That's all for now, see you in February!

Scriptwriting isn’t just for the movies

Remember Pacman, Super Mario Bros Pong? Even if you've never played a video game, everyone knows about those video game classics. It's obvious that someone must have sat down and wrote the concept or idea for those games, but did you know that screenwriters are hired to write many of today's biggest video games? As video games have evolved, gamers expect more than great graphics, they demand more scenarios, dimensional characters and compelling story lines. The story and writing behind it has become one of the most compelling parts of today's video games. I know that whenever I decide to pick up a new game, an exciting storyline always keeps me playing because I just want to know what happens next. Talented screenwriters are sought out to ensure the content meets gamers' high expectations and keeps them hungry for more!

On that note, the Toronto Screenwriting Conference is proud to announce that Kevin Shortt will be speaking at this year's conference. If you check out Kevin Shortt's IMDB Page, you will notice that his writing credits include the video games based on Avatar and Lost. Kevin will be talking at the conference about his experience writing for games and what it takes to become a game writer like him.

Kevin Shortt talks about the development of the Avatar video game:

You can register to see Kevin Shortt speak at the TSC 2011 right here.

And don't forget to follow our twitter @ScreenConf2011  or to like us on facebook for updates and information about the conference.

Full Steam Ahead!

The TSC 2011 office is atwitter (Shameless plug: follow us @ScreenConf2011, for the record: no pun was actually intended) with the planning of this year's conference. I've been in contact with two more very interesting speakers coming from very different sects of the screenwriting world that I would LOVE to tell you about - but you'll have to wait for our press release! Thursday we will unveil one speaker and then another next week.

In the meantime, you can check out our website where you'll find information about last year's speakers as well as a bit about about a few of this year's script consulting gurus: Sheldon Bull, Pen Densham, Dara Marks and Chris Vogler.

The official Toronto Screenwriting Conference blog is up!

Hello fellow screenwriters and screenwriting fans!

My name is Eytan and last year I had the pleasure of volunteering at the first ever Toronto Screenwriting Conference. It was such a wicked experience! I was responsible for filming the speakers in certain classrooms so I got to watch sessions with some awesome screenwriting experts like Sheldon Bull and Dara Marks. I also got to attend the marquee speaker sessions. I got to listen to Rhett Reese (Zombieland), Tim Long (The Simpsons), Rob C. Cooper (Stargate), and Chuck Tatham (How I Met Your Mother). I also got to hang out with film students like myself and meet industry professionals. Overall, a great experience!

Tim Long at the TSC 2010

This year is my final year studying film at Humber and I happened to get my internship at Meridian Artists, one of Canada's top literary agencies. Meridian Artists agent, Glenn Cockburn, founded the Toronto Screenwriting Conference and it is being managed this year by indie producer Cher Hawrysh. I'm so excited to be involved in this year's conference as more than a volunteer. From now until the conference (and then beyond!), myself and the rest of our staff and interns at the TSC will be blogging right here. We will each talk about the conference and anything that has to do with our speakers and screenwriting in general.

Feel free to comment on our posts with questions about the conference or if you just want to spark some screenwriting related discussions.

Opening the TSC 2010

I hope to see you all on April 9 and 10 at Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Management where the conference will be held.