HistoryChicago ScriptWorks began with an idea. Vera Brooks had taken a screenwriting class and was meeting with a writing group where they read each other’s work around a table and shared their thoughts and critiques. One day Vera wondered: What if there was a way to get our stories out there to a bigger audience to get feedback before submitting them to agents, contests, and producers? Vera researched a series called Fifth Night at the Nuyorican Poets Café in New York. They had produced over 200 readings of original screenplays, many of which went on to get production deals. Staged screenplay readings: an evening to celebrate the writer’s voice, arguably one of the most important and most overlooked in the film industry. Vera pitched the concept to the writing group and several members decided to join the event. Andrea Klunder was brought on to direct the reading, having just completed direction of Vera’s short film Four Young Trees. Anne Unger was enlisted to do media outreach and promote the event. With the help of her fellow screenwriters, Vera Brooks presented the very first Chicago ScriptWorks staged screenplay reading in March of 2003 to a sold-out and conclusively responsive audience. Testimonials"You can read a script countless times and never gain the perspective that you do from a staged reading. The opportunity you [CSW] offered to produce the script was invaluable." "It was great to work with a company that takes so much pride in the work they produce." “Chicago ScriptWorks has been a godsend for budding screenwriters in the city [of Chicago] and beyond. It is the perfect outlet for writers to see their words come to life in front of an audience.” "It [the CSW process] was such a positive experience for me and has really bolstered my confidence when it comes to writing. The reading has also opened doors... now I'm hearing of more of these 'friends of friends' contacts that are crucial to getting your foot in the door. I'm so impressed by Chicago ScriptWorks and your talent and professionalism.” "A performance such as the one you [CSW] put on helps the writer learn where his script is strong or weak. It also gives the writer a chance to see how his script may perform in front of an actual audience." “...seeing actors infuse life into black smudges on white pages is truly fantastic. I believe [CSW] mined every golden nugget from the rich vein that is THE KOI KEEPER. The hard work of the actors, producer and the director did indeed illuminate some rough spots in the work. We were truly blessed to have our talent discovered and improved. I will always be grateful. Of course, should the opportunity arise, I would jump at the chance to work with CSW again.” "Quite honestly, my experience with Chicago ScriptWorks was an experience beyond words. Their professionalism, incredible insight, and creative intuition not only enabled them to meet my high standards, but they also managed to surpass them." Volunteer CrewSean Dougherty Sean Dougherty is a screenwriter who joined CSW in 2006. As the Production Manager, he is the first contact for actors involved in productions. Sean has also provided support as an usher and volunteer recruiter. Sean is a salesman with Grainger Industrial Supply. He has also started an endeavor to use those skills to reach out to film companies and invite them to experience our readings. Nick Ford Nick Ford is a 2008 graduate of Columbia College with a Bachelor's degree in Film and Video. Ford has written and directed several short films including: The Schizophrenic, To Catch a Genius, Resume, Surrender the Code, Caught on Camera, Intellectual's Anonymous and Get Out. He's a cinephile who admires the work of Francois Truffaut and Spike Lee. Ford's has production experience as a Production Assistant, Grip, Gaffer, Photographer and Video Editor. Sara Minton Sara Minton came to Chicago to pursue an acting career and has performed with numerous companies in the city and on tour. She is delighted to volunteer with CSW, with whom she has appeared in five readings (and counting)! As a volunteer, she enjoys learning more about film and the "behind the scenes" production process. Sherrill Schmidt align="left">Sherrill Schmidt, a seasoned script reader - reviewing and editing scripts since the turn of the century, joined CSW in 2005. Serving as Production Manager and Casting Assistant for CSW’s production of Bellham, she continues to explore the production side of the creative process, which she began at Theatre Memphis in 1996. This is a far cry from her chosen profession as an Engineering Manager, graduating from Michigan State University with a Packaging Engineering degree. Go figure. Lauren Taylor Lauren Taylor, orginally from Memphis, TN, made the journey to Chicago four years ago. She has appeared in four staged readings for CSW and various productions throughout Chicago. Though she will always pursue acting, she has enjoyed the behind-the-scenes opportunities she experiences with CSW and looks forward to many more. Conrad Lawrence Conrad Lawrence received his BA in Communications with a focus on film from the University of Wisconsin, after which he spent ten years in the film industry working as a gaffer, cinematographer, DP and Director-Cameraman. Like many others Reaganomics pushed him into the corporate world, but he continued to pursue his screen writing with several yet to be produced collaborations with Hollywood production companies including Scott Rudin Productions. Focus shifted to his prose writing as he published his novel and a dozens of short stories. He added playwright to his writing skills and currently is focusing on filmmaking again and hoping to become a valuable contributor to the burgeoning independent film industry growing in Chicago. For more information see Conrad's personal web portal |
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Chicago ScriptWorks Team Vera Brooks, Managing Director
vbrooks @ chicagoscriptworks.org Vera Brooks is the co-founder of CSW and founder of Roatan Film Production. Vera produced the first CSW staged reading in March 2003, and since has developed it into an ongoing series. Vera took two of her screenplays from the page to the screen in 2002: It Takes One to Know One, which received an Honorable Mention in the Chris Wetzel Independent Comedy Award competition, and Four Young Trees, a family drama that was accepted to the African American Women in Cinema 2005 Film Festival. Trees is the beginning of Vera's feature-length screenplay, Brother's Keeper, which made it to the second round of the 2005 Austin Film Festival screenplay competition. Recently, Vera wrote, directed, and produced her first play, A Changed Man, at the West Central SDA Church in Oak Park, IL. She also produced a reading of selected poems from R.D. Zaragoza's book Your Sign is Down: Six Feet Under, which shared the author's thoughts on gangs in today's society. Vera has a Certificate in Screenwriting from the UCLA Professional Program.
Vaun Monroe, Artistic Director " I take as my personal model the filmmakers and writers of the French New Wave--that is to say I teach dramatic storytelling, write about film, theatre and culture and write and direct both films and plays." Vaun has written several feature length screenplays, directed many film shorts, a feature length film and several plays. He has produced and directed narrative films that have screened in film festivals both nationally and internationally. He is currently adapting "Lysistrata" to modern day Chicago for both stage and screen. Monroe earned his BA in African American Drama at Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA and his MFA in Film and Media Arts from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Vaun has worked as a Licensed Psychiatric Technician and interned at two prominient and visionary production companies--Blackside Inc. in Boston and Scribe Video Center in Philadelphia. Monroe is currently an Assistant Professor in the Film and Video Department at Columbia College Chicago where he teaches Screenwriting and Directing. Monroe also won the James Pendleton Fellowship in Screenwriting. he is a committee member of Black Perspectives and a Network Playwright of the Chicago Dramatists.
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