One Chicago writer, two from the suburbs and two from Midwestern cities are the finalists of the Chicago’s Screenwriters Network’s third annual Screenwriters Contest who will receive their awards Wednesday, Sept. 12 at the Mayne Stage in Rogers Park.
CSN president and produced screenwriter Colin Costello says, ”This year had the largest turnout of our contest to date, with about 150 scripts submitted.” He adds that the contest received “a lot of drama and almost no comedy scripts. We always receive a fair amount of horror, as well.”
The finalists are Brian Welch (The Giants of Elmfield Road) from Chicago; Alejandrina Perez (A Whimsy Dreary) of Aurora; Tracy Ryan (The Alliance) of Clarendon Hills; Jason Doty (Deprivation) from West Lafayette, Indiana and Robert Everson (Where Vengeance Waits) from Creve Coeur, Missouri.
In addition to the screenwriters’ awards, Chicago native, director, writer, cinematographer and producer Andrew Davis (“Holes,” “Collateral Damage,” “The Fugitive”) will be honored with CSN’s inaugural Founders Award. ReelChicago’s Ruth L Ratny will present the award to Davis – the first such award Davis has received in his illustrious 35 year career.
Davis will present his new short doc, “The Making of Stony Island, Music Makes Us,” featuring interviews with music legends Quincy Jones, Gene “Daddy G” Barge, Chuck D. of Public Enemy, Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles, Richard Davis, and Rae Dawn Chong, producer Tamar Hoff and Davis, as they reflect on the importance of music, culture and race on the South Side of Chicago in the late ‘70’s and the impact of the film on their lives.
L.A. meeting top writing prize
An all expense paid four day trip to L.A. to meet talent agency and production company executives goes to the top prize winner, plus a package of writers aids and a crystal trophy.
Special award presentations at the ceremony will be made by Mary Kay Cook, president, Midwest Independent Film Festival, Vaun Monroe, president, The National Association of Black Screenwriters; Lisa Goepfrich, VP/ Women in Film and actor, producer and writer James Rhine, from CBS reality series, “Three Men in a Booth” and “Big Brother.”
The Mayne Stage is located at 1328 W. Morse Ave., doors open at 5:30 p.m., cocktails, 5:30-6:30 p.m., presentation, 6:30 p.m. Members, $20, non-members, $35 at the door. Click here to order tickets.
Angelica Jade Bastién is a freelance writer and artist living in Chicago who specializes in screenwriting, feminist film criticism, and creative nonfiction.
