Getting past the Hollywood suits who read thousands of screenplays each day may seem an impossible maneuver for independent screenwriters.
However, 30 to 40 aspiring film writers and directors crammed themselves into the Kelly Writers House, carrying notebooks and laptops and hoping that Penn English major-turned-director Andy Wolk could provide them with that foolproof prescription for writing a successful screenplay.
"The most important thing is persistence," Wolk said. He explained the value of networking -- whether it be with friends or via independent film festivals -- to get one's work known. Some audience members capitalized on this advice, asking Wolk, "Would you read my screenplay if I sent it to you?"
The audience was diverse, ranging from people without experience in film writing to two lucky Penn students and two graduates whose independent screenplays won a contest sponsored by Wolk.
Wharton sophomore Robert Forman, College senior Andrew Schwartz, '92 College alumna Kristin Haskins and '89 College alumna Suzanne Maynard Miller were the finalists who had the opportunity to meet with the director one-on-one this week.
"This symposium was incredibly helpful because at Penn, I have never had the opportunity to discuss my screenplay at a professional level," Forman said.
Wolk -- who has directed an array of projects ranging from dramas like The Sopranos to features like Criminal Justice -- began his career at Penn, where he first found his calling in film some 35 years ago.
Wolk traces his experiences in film back to a creative writing class, in which he wrote a play for a final project that was presented in his senior year by the Penn Players.
Tuesday night, Wolk led a two-hour seminar on the techniques necessary to produce a compelling screenplay. Throughout his presentation, Wolk emphasized that anyone with "the drive within to take over" can create the necessary elements of plot, character and, most importantly, a conflict that answers the question, "What is the worst thing that can happen to my character?"
In addition to outlining the structural elements conducive to creating the most basic skeleton for the screenplay, Wolk discussed the importance of "not taking 'no' for an answer."
He emphasized the need to present one's work to as many people as possible. "Be incredibly persistent. Knock on more doors," he said.
