Selected Shorts

Writing Contest Call for Submissions:

Submissions are now open for the 2013 Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize!

The winning submission, selected by Jim Shepard, will be read as part of the Selected Shorts performance at Symphony Space on June 12, 2013. The story will be recorded for possible later broadcast as part of the public radio series. The winner will also receive $1000 and a 10-week class from Gotham Writers' Workshop.

Story requirements:
* Submit a single short story that fits the theme "Complicated Families."
* Your story must have a title.
* Your story must be no more than 750 words (Times New Roman, 12pt font).
* Your story must be unpublished.

Deadline: 5pm, March 15, 2013, EST.

See full details

Living Worlds

  

Walt Disney's Imagineering Research & Development

announces:

LIVING WORLDS

Bringing Immersive Stories to Life in the Real World

Deadline to apply: December 1, 2012

Click here for full details

When Walt Disney created a place that brought his beloved characters, stories and places to life in a place called Disneyland®, he created a world of story experiences that immersed audiences and invited them to believe - and an industry was born. Nearly 60 years later, the creative and technical group that helped him create Disneyland® lives on as Walt Disney Imagineering.

Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development wants to work with innovative storytellers willing to push the limits to create fully immersive worlds where guests can explore, play and discover deep narratives. To achieve this goal, the Imagineering team has launched the Living Worlds program, through which they hope to support the development of a few unique concepts through collaborative project work. With your imagination and today's technology, the possibilities for immersive storytelling are almost boundless.

CineStory

The CineStory Writer's Retreat takes place over four days in the beautiful mountains of Idyllwild, California. Attendees receive three 90-minute one-on-one sessions with CineStory mentors. During these meetings they can discuss everything from the script(s) they submitted for feedback, to jump-starting their writing careers.

When not meeting in one-on-one sessions, writers participate in "informal rooms." These are interactive sessions with panels of 2-3 mentors, which cover such topics as pitching like a pro and the state of filmmaking in the digital age. In addition, mentors and writers gather for meals, drinks, film screenings, and other special events.

Want to come to a retreat? Click here to read the 2013 rules and deadlines.

Left, Right & Center

Election season is in full swing and KCRW is presenting two LIVE editions of the civilized, yet provocative radio debate Left, Right & Center. Enjoy witty, irreverent, no-holds barred repartee as the hosts tackle today's headlines, head on.

Sunday, October 7 at 6pm
"Election '12: The Home Stretch"
Barclay Theatre, Orange County

--AND--

Sunday, November 11th at 6pm
"Election '12: The Morning After"
Broad Stage, Santa Monica

Buy Tickets

California Documentary Project Grant

The California Documentary Project (CDP) is a competitive grants program that supports documentary film, radio, and new media productions that enhance our understanding of California and its cultures, peoples, and histories. Projects must use the humanities to provide context, depth, and perspective and be suitable for California and national audiences through broadcast and/or distribution.

Since 2003, Cal Humanities has awarded over $3 million to projects that document the California experience and explore issues of significance to Californians. CDP grants support projects at the research and development, production, and public engagement stages.

Application deadline: October 1, 2012, 5 p.m.

Download submission guidelines

Slake for a Cause

 
Slake: Los Angeles, the quarterly reader cofounded by former L.A. Weekly editors Joe Donnelly and Laurie Ochoa, is devoted to the endangered art of deeply reported narrative journalism.

Slake had some issues with the initial print run for the issue "Dirt" and now has boxes of books that have wonderful stories and art and are great to read, love and look at, but are not quite sell-able.

So... Slake wants to give these issues away to good causes. Are you a teacher who would like to share great literature with your students? Do you work at a shelter or halfway house? Are you up to some other greatness that would benefit from a few copies of Slake? If so, Slake is down for the cause.

Write to Slake with "Slake for a cause" in the subject line and describe who you are, what you do, who you help and how Slake would help you. Indicate how many copies you need to do it. Slake will review and get back to you. Don't worry, Slake won't discriminate. If you're not kicking dogs, chances are they'll help you out.

KCRW's "Strangers"

"Strangers" is a new series from KCRW's Independent Producer Project about the strangers we meet, the strangers we become and the "strangeness" we might overcome when we find ways to connect in the modern world.

This fresh, new podcast is hosted and produced by the Peabody Award-winning producer and director, Lea Thau. Lea was the Executive and Creative Director of the storytelling organization The Moth from 2001 to 2010, and created the enormously popular Moth Podcast, as well as The Moth Radio Hour.

Listen to Karin Gutman's story about the time *a stranger* recruited her to run for Mayor!

Come meet Lea and other strangers at:

Strangers Happy Hour
Saturday, May 19th, 5-7pm

Shangri-La Hotel
(in the courtyard by the pool)
1301 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401  

Meet strangers, friends and storytellers, enjoy happy hour cocktail and appetizers, share your "Strangers" moments, pitch an idea for the show--or just drink and be merry.

John Cleese: Words of Wisdom

"Creativity is not a talent. It is a way of operating." ~ John Cleese

John Cleese's lecture on Creativity: Watch it here

Turning Problems Into Mysteries

Turning Problems Into Mysteries

4-day workshop / UCLA Arts and Healing

See full details

Curiosity is a key to looking at life experiences in a new light. This 4-session workshop is designed to open your mind to investigating burdensome issues in your life with creative objectivity. By looking at your challenges from altered perspectives and through a fresh lens, you will have the opportunity to make a shift-to actively shape your stories and create a new reality.

Each session's writing experiences will inform the next. The series will offer creative writing techniques to help us clarify our issues and intentions, express our feelings, access other perspectives, challenge our assumptions, and demystify who we are and what we want.

You will have the opportunity to track your progress over the course of the workshop and, at the end of the series, reflect upon shifts made over the previous weeks.

This program is for writers and non-writers who seek greater well-being through a practice that can have sustained ripple effects.

Instructor: Karin Gutman

Dates & Times:
4 Mondays (April 30, May 14, May 21, and June 4)
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm. 
Please note that there will be no class on the weeks of May 7 and 28.

Location:
Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Room 275
Audrey and Sydney Irmas Campus in West Los Angeles
11661 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Registration Link 

UCLArts and Healing is a partnership between the Arts and Healing Initiative, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization, and the UCLA Collaborative Centers for Integrative Medicine.
 

Literary Los Angeles: A Road Guide

Literary Los Angeles Release Party

Friday, March 23rd, 7:30 p.m.

The Echo Park Time Travel Mart/826 LA
1714 W. Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles 90026

See full event details

Join The Echo Park Time Travel Mart and 826LA in celebrating the release of Literary Los Angeles: A Road Guide, a map of Los Angeles that includes all of the literary pit stops in the city. The evening will include drinks and readings from map contributors, including Los Angeles-based writers Wanda Coleman, Nina Revoyr, Luis J. Rodriguez, and David Ulin; moderated by Tom Lutz.

Nantucket Film Festival: Screenplay Competition

The Nantucket Film Festival was founded by brother and sister team Jill and Jonathan Burkhart in 1996. The Burkharts lived on the island year round, and with their love of movies and the community, they knew it was the perfect place to begin a film festival. These days, NFF has become one of the premiere destination film festivals in the world. This year's festival will take place June 20th-24th. 

Showtime's Tony Cox Screenplay Competition recognizes an emerging screenplay as the best from the pool of submissions each year. The competition gives writers the opportunity to have their scripts read by a prestigious jury, receive top industry recognition, participate in a Festival focused specifically on screenwriting, including a Mentor's Brunch with the Festival's Screenwriters Tributee, and win-in addition to a $5,000 cash prize-an incredible, all-inclusive month's stay on stunning Nantucket at the Screenwriter's Colony.

Upcoming submission deadlines for films and the Tony Cox Screenplay Competition:

March 12, 2012: Regular Deadline

March 26, 2012: Late Deadline

All submissions processed through www.withoutabox.com.

Expressing Motherhood

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The unique idea for Expressing Motherhood came about in January 2008.

Lindsay Kavet and Jessica Cribbs found themselves wanting to tap into their former creative sides pre-baby. They wanted a platform for moms to get up on stage and share their stories regarding motherhood. The show is fully produced via computer, so the moms can still be at home with their children. They've taken the show to Los Angeles, NYC and Boston, selling out every night. Lindsay and Jessica have had four more children since the shows began!

Don't miss Expressing Motherhood's Los Angeles show taking place at The Elephant Space in Hollywood March 9-11, 2012. 5% of all proceeds will be donated to Family Care International.

Buy tickets here!

MFA in Screenwriting: Cal State Fullerton

California State University Fullerton is now accepting applications for its graduate program in Screenwriting.

The Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting is an intensive, two-year degree program in writing for narrative feature film, short films, television dramas and comedies, as well as new media. Writing classes are small and taught in a seminar atmosphere by professors with professional experience in the entertainment industry. 

Entry into the program is competitive, based on acceptance into California State University Fullerton as well as the applicant's submission of materials to the Radio-TV-Film graduate program. A total of 42 units are required to finish the M.F.A. program. Classes begin fall 2012.

Deadline for applications: March 1st.

See full details

Santa Monica Artist Fellowship

The City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division is pleased to announce the third year of the Santa Monica Artist Fellowship program. Five annual fellowships are available to Santa Monica-based artists to nourish and stimulate the creation of new work, acknowledge our community's regard for creativity and innovation, and recognize excellence.

Three 2012 Project Fellowships of $3,000 each are now available by application. Santa Monica-based artists seeking funding for study, individual exploration, in-depth exchange or creative opportunities related to the development or presentation of new work may apply. For updated guidelines and an application, visit the Fellowship page on the website.

Two Fellowships of $20,000 will also be awarded to Santa Monica artists via a nominations process.

Deadline for applications: 5:00 pm, January 30, 2012.