Film Chattanooga Presents “The Craft and Business of Screenwriting”

Chattanooga, TN, May 13, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Film Chattanooga is holding its next quarterly event to take place at the YMCA in downtown Chattanooga. With a focus on the topic of screenwriting, the meeting will take place on Thursday, May 17th, at 6:30pm. There will be a panel discussion featuring experienced industry insiders who will be sharing their own stories and tips for screenwriting success. Industry professionals and film lovers alike are encouraged to attend. Members of the Chattanooga Film Society and the Chattanooga Writers' Guild may attend the event for free. Admission is $5 to the general public.

There will be three panelists participating in the discussion. Jeff Burr is an established writer and director in the film industry with over 25 features to his credit. Rex Knowles is a screenwriter, actor, producer, and playwright who is currently the executive director of multiple theater programs at Chattanooga State. Anthony Sims, formerly an adjunct professor at UTC, has worked with British film director John Dower and has optioned several screenplays.

"There is a common misconception that screenwriting is easy, that anyone can do it," says CFS president Dave Porfiri. "One of the reasons, we are having this panel discussion is to shatter this and other myths about screenwriting. The reality is that it is as hard as any other type of writing and that having a great idea for a movie is only the beginning of the writing process. Most screenwriters struggle for years before they get their first break. They also rarely get their screenplays read by producers without first securing a Hollywood-based literary agent. Our panelists will talk about these challenges to the aspiring screenwriter and offer career suggestions and tips."

All attendees will be offered a 10% discount code to Showbiz Software and there will be a door prize drawing for one free screenplay evaluation from the Austin Film Festival's Screenplay and Teleplay Coverage Program.

Film Chattanooga, an initiative of the Chattanooga Film Society, promotes film production activity in Southeast Tennessee and aims to raise the professional standards for the film and television production community in the region. For more information about Film Chattanooga or about becoming a partner or sponsor, visit filmchattanooga.org.