August 1999

While the importance of the screenplay or scriptwriter is often overlooked in an industry that bestows wealth and fame on young directors and picture-perfect actors, for three days and nights in August, the written word will be the talk of the town.

"A Stranger in the Kingdom," Jay Craven's latest film, is his second to be based on Howard Frank Mosher's tales of the rugged life in northern Vermont (the first was 1993's "Where the Rivers Flow North"). Here, Craven continues his exploration of his own Northeast Kingdom's character through a story--set in 1952, based on true occurrences, and shot on location--of a brutal murder in rustic surroundings.

The Writer's Guild of America believes there's strength in numbers. One of the founding principles of the Guild maintains that the power of both the individual and the Guild increases as each new writer joins. Thus follows the other founding principle: No writer should have to face alone an employer who has violated his or her rights. These principles serve as the enduring beliefs behind the Guild's mission and existence.

I've written for NewEnglandFilm.com before. But never with me as the subject. As a full-time writer and a first-time filmmaker, I thought it would be wise to track the ups and downs of making my first documentary. The goal of this article, and the series that will follow, is to share my first-hand experience in making the transition from deciding to shoot a documentary to the actual tasks needed to complete it. You are welcome to live the low-budget challenge with me during the next several months.

Hollywood is not kind to screenwriters. "They are regarded as chronic malcontents, overpaid and undertalented," writes John Gregory Dunne in "Monster," his chronicle of writing for the film industry. Jack Warner of Warner Bros. was more succinct in his appraisal of screenwriters: "Schmucks with Underwoods."

Items in Production

"Nowheresville," a feature-length comedy shot entirely in Manchester, NH, is in post-production and will be submitted to the Sundance Film Festival this month. For more information regarding the film, please contact Double Midnight Productions at (603) 621-4189.

"You know, I've got a great idea for a movie…"

When I visited Brooklyn as a little girl, my Uncle Joe took me and my sister and our great-grandmother's dog for a long walk to Coney Island. At least I think it was Coney Island. It was definitely New York, and there was a boardwalk. In this happy memory, it's Coney Island, and Coney Island, I've come to understand, is what you make it.

So ya wanna make a movie in Massachusetts? Great news: the state has created a wonderful program to help you find fee-free locations. But don't think that means there's no red tape, or that every location in the state will be free. And don't assume that free means easy. But a little effort can yield some wonderful location opportunities in the Bay State.