VFS is thrilled to be co-presenting the upcoming Screenwriters Summit, June 7-8, 2008. The Summit will bring to Vancouver four legends in screenwriting theory: Syd Field, Linda Seger, Michael Hauge, and John Truby.

We’d be shocked to hear if there’s a screenwriter — newbie, or pro — that doesn’t have at least two of these speakers’ books on their shelves.

The weekend will include half-day lectures with each speaker, with very little content overlap: the speakers have worked together to build their lectures to complement one another. Major topics include: character goals and desire, character arcs, the nature of conflict, universal themes and symbols, understanding your demographic, key genre conventions, deep structure, and the 7 steps to a great premise. Each half-day will culminate in a Q & A session with the speakers.

Screenwriters Summit
Saturday June 7- Sunday June 8, 2008
8:30am - 6:00pm each day
Vancouver International Film Centre
Vancity Theatre
1181 Seymour Street

Here’s how to register. Participation is limited to 175 people, so if you know you want to go, don’t wait too long!

And here’s a little more on the speakers:

Syd Field is regarded by many Hollywood professionals to be the leading authority in the art and craft of screenwriting in the world today. His book Screenplay was one of the first books on screenwriting theory, and continues to be a kind of bible for screenwriters. When Tina Fey was asked how she wrote Mean Girls, she said “I did the thing everybody does. I read Syd Field.”

Linda Seger has given seminars for studios, networks, production companies, television series, and film commissions, and, as the author of nine bestselling books on the art and craft of screenwriting, including the seminal Making a Good Script Great. Oscar winner Ron Howard says “I’ve used your concepts [from Making a Good Script Great] on all my films starting with Apollo 13.”

Michael Hauge’s book Writing Screenplays That Sell, now in its 32nd printing, is a definitive reference book for marketing screen work. Jeff Arch, writer of Sleepless in Seattle, says of Michael’s lectures: “Every time I revisit my notes, I learn something new or reinforce something that I need to remember.”

John Truby’s screenwriting classes have trained some of the top players in Hollywood today, including creators of Shrek and Star Wars. This past fall, Truby released his highly-anticipated, critically-acclaimed book The Anatomy of Story, which raced to the top of the bestseller list.

Just a reminder that these books can be purchased at Biz Books in Vancouver, and VFS students get a 10% discount. In case you’re feeling the need to catch up!