If you build it they will come. A line of dialogue from Field of Dreams that continues to have many applications. I sometimes wonder if the screenwriter of the film knew the implications those words would have long after the credits stopped rolling. That’s the beauty of screenwriting after all. It’s about breathing life into a story and placing lines of dialogue that stick to the roof of your mouth. Many films have lines of dialogue that stick with us but I’ve referenced the one from Field of Dreams because it directly pertains to a novel idea that has come to fruition in Vancouver.
The Vancouver Writers Brigade launches today, Aug. 22 at 7 pm. It is an incredible opportunity to help screenwriters engage and workshop their scripts with other writers while networking and learning the tools and skills necessary to have their screenplays shine. I had the privilege of discussing the conception of this grand event with one of the founders and award winning screenwriter Marshall Axani. Zlatina Pacheva is a co-founder of the organization and Anaisa Visser has also recently come on board. Zlatina is involved with Raindance Vancouver and brings an abundance of skills to the table. She has been involved with productions as well as her own projects. She is also quite fluent in the language of scriptwriting. Anaisa is an accomplished screenwriter, director and producer.
“How did the inspiration for this incredible idea come about?”
“I suppose it was a culmination of a few things. I had just come back from the Canadian Film Festival in Toronto. I got to see a lot more of the Independent film scene there and how a lot of people are supporting themselves and thought it would be great to have more of that in Vancouver. We have a lot of great service shows and a lot of Indy films made on micro budgets but it’s the middle we don’t have as much. I was in the Self-Expression and Leadership Program through Landmark tasked with holding a community event and had this idea for a long time about wanting a core structured way of taking back things from a writers group and orientating it to writers finding their voice. It all came together at once and I thought it would be a good thing for the community to have that was missing.”
As soon as I was informed of this new organization, I had an aha moment. As an aspiring screenwriter I’ve often sent scripts to my friends or family to read for feedback. As it turns out, everything I write is perfect and amazing.
Marshall adds, “There are lots of great contests out there for writers to make short films and features but I don’t find that there is enough focus on the writers voice or what the intention is for what they’re writing and what their career goals might be.”
“When I’m starting a new screenplay, I always ask myself if I’m hooked on the story and do I want to stay with it? When you get it passed back to you from another screenwriter, it suddenly seems more clear. Seeing it in other peoples work is easy but seeing it in your own work is hard. It’s one of the things I’m hoping the Vancouver Writers Brigade can do.”
“How long have you been screenwriting?”
“I think I picked it up when I was 16. I lived out in the country and couldn’t make the films I wanted to make with the same quality. It wasn’t until Good Will Hunting came out and the film had a huge amount of success for first time writers that I realized the power of controlling the story. That got me really excited about learning more about writing. That was about 16 years ago.”
Telefilm Micro-budget funded Marshalls latest feature film The Cannon. His previous film Anxious Oswald Greene was a Hot Shots Shorts winner. It won 19 awards and received 4 nominations. He elaborates on the creative process.
“I love the writing/directing combo because you get to translate what you intended to do from page to screen. I also really enjoy feedback within a writer’s circle. Once you realize what their intention is and what they’re going for you can give them more helpful feedback. You can also find people that speak your language a little bit more. If people like your idea they may offer help between drafts and look over an outline you may have. The conversation can continue outside the group and you can use the community outside of the meetings as well.”
“Is there an entire team behind the Brigade?”
“I founded it with Zlatina Pacheva and we now have a third person on board, Anaisa Visser. It’s small for a team but there’s been a lot of writers that have been very generous in allowing me to talk to them in regards to what they want out of it as well as a lot of great feedback in terms of what people need that their not getting from other writer groups. So I wanted to fill in some of those gaps. This may not be a one thing fits all but it is meant to be another tool you can use to workshop your story. The website is still evolving but we have put a lot of thought into what we both wanted and what could be offered for people to develop themselves into better writers.”
“On the website, there is a membership section but there is no fee mentioned. Have you decided on a yearly or monthly membership fee?”
“At this point we are charging $10.00 at the door and are still working out the best option for members and the details behind it.”
“What do you hope to accomplish by launching this event?”
“The goal is to encourage writers to elevate their stories and discover their unique voice. That to me is the most important part. I’m also hoping it will result in much stronger contest submissions as well as answering, why their doing it and why the story matters? Having been on juries and having seen a lot of that, those two things are what connect people with answering those things. It creates an opportunity to make something that really gets an audience to invest in a film. If we can have that as a starting point then people will see that their storytelling is being elevated. If they get excited about that then hopefully it brings in more money for their film or talent and expands the independent film scene and creates another venue for creating more films within the city.”
“Are you hoping to attract only writers or directors and producers as well?”
“For the launch it would definitely be for screenwriters. If you’re a screenwriter/producer or a screenwriter/director you’re definitely welcome. If later down the line we’re finding that we have a lot of great stories that writers want to get out into the community, maybe we can find someplace to have a table read and bring in outside members and have them hear what’s going on with the storytelling and have that be a network to writerships. We’re still open to how it could develop or see if there’s something that could best fit a partnership. From time to time we’ll be inviting people in.”
“The location for the launch of Vancouver Writers Brigade is at Beaumont Studios located at 326 W 5th Avenue in Vancouver. Will that be its permanent home?”
“Yes, foreseeably. We’re hoping to see how it develops and if it continues to be a place where writers want to come and workshop their stories.”
It is a convenient location if you plan to use the skytrain. Only a hop and a skip from the Cambie Station. The venue holds between 300-400 people and there will be a cash bar available if you need to shake off the nerves. Marshall also encourages people attending to bring a notebook and pen, laptop or writing pad to make notes. There will be copious amounts of invaluable information on screenwriting that can be useful to all writers.
“On the website it mentions guest speakers will be attending every month. Will there be one at the launch?”
“Unfortunately not at the launch but we are going to be presenting something unique. I don’t want to spoil it. We are looking at guest speakers come in but it may be from time to time or monthly.”
Marshall encourages those that want to be involved to send in a logline or a script. He wants them to feel emboldened and also feel that this is a safe place and not to worry so much if your writing is not perfect or you don’t have all the answers. He wants to know the intention of the story and then help strengthen the foundation. Fostering great stories and making them bullet proof so you have a professional looking script is the goal. What you do with it after that is up to you.
Another very unique exercise being offered will involve bringing in actors to read the scripts out loud. It won’t happen immediately but once VWB is more established the actors will help bring your script to life. An opportunity and perspective usually done at rehearsals or table reads once a script has moved forward into pre production.
The events are intended to have a relaxed atmosphere and a light vibe. He wants people in attendance to feel comfortable without pressure or expectations. It’s designed to help shape the writers needs.
I took an extensive look at the website at www.vancouverwritersbrigade.com and I was quite impressed with the layout and the amount of information available. If you are an accomplished screenwriter or still honing your writing skills, this is a golden opportunity to excel as well as get great feedback.