*Applications EXTENDED to the 22nd January 2010*

*There will be a briefing session for those of you who are interested and have questions for us on the 11th January 2010, 8pm at Sinema Old School – Register here for you seats*

THE FIRST DRAFT is Singapore’s first dedicated one-year part-time professional screenplay development programme for screenwriters.

THE FIRST DRAFT will take a selected group of 12 budding screenwriters through a year-long programme consisting of 2 one-week-long residential workshops in March and  September 2010, one-to-one mentoring sessions, monthly group discussions and online consultations.

Our aim is to develop a group of 12 feature film ideas from initial proposals to industry-ready first draft screenplays.

Participants will develop their skills and talents to a professional level through a programme which aims to facilitate viable projects that could be developed into actual works, while at the same time scrupulously respecting the screenwriters’ unique voices and cultural background.

Upon completion of the programme, participants will be eligible to apply for Singapore Film Commission’s script development grants for future development of the projects and completed scripts will automatically be considered for the New Feature Film Fund as well.

Through THE FIRST DRAFT, Singapore can look forward to a community of rigorously trained screenwriters, who will provide the bedrock for writing talent for the Singapore film industry’s future growth and development.

This programme is a partnership between the British Council, the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA), Sinema Academy of Motion Pictures (SAMP) and the senior staff of the MA Screenwriting Course at the London College of Communication.

Go to THE FIRST DRAFT site.

Contact Information

Speaker-presenter Senn Moses is currently based in Singapore and is the Managing Director of Cimarron Group Asia (Hollywood) and has held senior positions at leading international entertainment companies such as Nielsen, Fox Broadcasting Company, Columbia Pictures / Sony Entertainment Pictures, Universal Studios, Paramount Studios, DDB Worldwide and Leo Burnett Worldwide.

This workshop is also directed at actors in the industry who will be able to gain insights into the micro-mechanisms and efforts assembled to tell stories to different audiences.

Sat 21 Nov 09 – SGD$75.00
Sun 22 Nov 09 – SGD$75.00

Fees are highly subsized by MDA. Lunch provided.

Places are extremely limited, click here to book now!

Joining her are experienced documentary filmmakers, Mr Craig McTurk whose documentary short, “Street Songs”, received a 1994 Student Academy Award in the documentary category. His other documentary film credits include, Tokyo Blues: Jazz & Blues in Japan, Highway Courtesans, and Satan & Adam. Malcolm Young who has worked for Bang Productions as Executive in Charge of Production in Hong Kong and Singapore, and as such was responsible for the production of many long form documentaries, mostly for Discovery but also for National Geographic and others – those films included bio pics of Joan Chen and Jackie Chan, as well as the award winning ‘Hanging Coffins of China’.

Some questions we will be exploring are, what to shoot and when? When to turn the camera on and and when to turn it off? The editing begins when you decide what to shoot and what to leave out. Is it possible to make a ‘neutral’ documentary? Without prejudice or bias? Should you try? Documentary filmmaking is visual story telling and MUST be entertaining in today’s world – many documentaries are effects heavy these days. What are some ways that a documentary filmmaker can make their films more impactful? Presenter lead? Voice over? Interviews? Animations? CGI? Grab this opportunity to ask the filmmakers these and more.

Tickets are $11.77 including 7% GST

For enquires, please email us at academy@sinema.sg
For bookings, please go to www.filmsforchange.org/online-booking/

SAMPLIFY Editors Film Forum 26th Aug 2009

Moderated by two time Emmy award-winning editor, Mr Kris Trexler, who is currently on a one year attachment with Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Film program. Catch acclaimed local and foreign film and TV editors as they engage in an in-depth discussion about film and TV editing. The emergence of more advanced editing software such as Avid’s Colour Correction implies positive implications for the Singapore market, as well as added responsibilities for the editor. As a project takes shape, editing becomes a collaborative process. How does the role of the editor evolve along this journey of TV or film making, and how does he or she deal with the increasing demands of directors and producers? How can editors work to create stronger works? Grab this chance to ask our panelists all these questions and more!

Join us at the Editors Film Forum on the 26th of Aug 09. We have invited well acclaimed and accomplished editors such as Mr Dustin Lau who has edited “Rome:Lost City of China” and “Site and Sound”, Mr Gerard Tay who has worked on the well received TV series, “Fighting Spiders”, Mr Eric Lau from Iceberg Design who has worked on local film, “Kallang Roar” and last but not least, Mr Jon Hammond from NYU Tisch Asia who has worked on the feature films, “Get Real” and “Far North”.

To reserve a seat, call us at +65.6336.6707, or email us at academy@sinema.sg