Hi there
Looking for twenty original screenplays for twenty short films (three minutes each) that will be produced in the Beginning Filmmakers Workshop which begins this coming Monday (7th June 2004) here in Nassau, Bahamas. An attempt to reach out to the Bahamas Writers Group - a link that was forwarded by a friend in New York - was futile. Hopefully this posting would bring a successful end to this search as it appears that it reaches out to a broad base of Bahamians.

Basically, it is preferred that all the writers were Bahamians or have at least lived here for the past ten years minimum. There is no pay but your work remains your own, of course, and you will receive credit on the film projects. The selected writers will be guided through the basics of the screenwriting process and will be overseen as a team of writers specifically for the Beginning Filmmakers Workshop. It would be most helpful to have some writing experience but you do not need to be a published writer. The selected writers will recieve invitations to the Orientation Luncheon, Premiere Screening Event and the Wrap Party/Awards Ceremony held in conjunction with the Workshop. There are a number of other benefits to participating in this historic event! The theme that shapes the stories is "THE BAHAMAS: THE BEST NATION UNDER THE SUN AT THIRTYONE" and those stories should be narratives as oppose to documentaries and should depict Bahamian life and times over the past thirtyone years doing so in either dramatic or comedic genres.

For more information please contact Yaphath-Toar at yaphathtoar@hotmail.com or yaphathtoar@batelnet.bs or by calling 242.423.3072. You may also visit the Academy's community website at http://groups.msn.com/Yaphath-ToarAcademyofDramaticArts for more details on the Beginning Filmmakers Workshop.

Thank you for referring this posting to any friends you may know would be qualified and interested! Have a smooth day!

Hi there
Looking for twenty original screenplays for twenty short films (three minutes each) that will be produced in the Beginning Filmmakers Workshop which begins this coming Monday (7th June 2004) here in Nassau, Bahamas. An attempt to reach out to the Bahamas Writers Group - a link that was forwarded by a friend in New York - was futile.



Hi Yaphath-Toar,

Unfortunately, the local Bahamas Writers Group that I started in January 2003 floundered after I handed the leadership over to a team in September 2003, even though the group was growing in leaps and bounds. See postings at http://www.bahamasissues.com/showthread.phpt=189&highlight=Bahamas+Writers+Group

However, the Bahamas Writer website, launched in March 2000, is still vibrant and active with writers’ forums ranging from “Market News & Calls for Submissions” to “Promotion and Marketing”. Members are from countries around the world, including the Bahamas of course. Please feel free to post information about your Beginning Filmmakers Workshop in the Bahamas Writer forums at http://www.bahamaswriter.com .

There's also a "Contact" link on the website, if you want to get in touch with me (the website was unfortunately down for a few hours today, but it's up and running again now).

Best wishes for much success with your workshop.

I have an idea for a Bahamian film.
But I will keep it a secret until I get everything copyrighted. :D

Hi Bahamas Writer
Thank you so much for responding to the post. I am not certain if you are the same Fay that is connected with the Bahamas Writers Group but I sent an email to you (if you are) about a month ago. I am truly sorry to hear about the ball being dropped on such a wonderful outlet for the creative work as it relates to the film industry. I understand and can empathize with the many challenges that come with this business especially in a country where the market seems almost non-existent. I hope that you will consider revisiting the group and bringing it all back on stream. I made a few attempts at the site and was not able to get through but I will visit the site again and post the search there. Thank you for the well wishes for the Beginning Filmmakers Workshop.

Hi Delroy
Thank you for responding to the post. No doubt you have a wonderful story to share with us all and I hope that we will have the privilege some day soon of participating in it as your moved audience. In fact I look forward to that.

If you would allow me to share this with you, however, maybe we can see your work on screen much sooner. Ideas cannot be copyrighted. When you put pen to paper and document your story or creative work in any tangible form it is already copyrighted. REGISTERING your work with the copyright office gives you the legal right to pursue a suit against any misuse, abuse or theft of that work. If you put forth a creative piece that you have not yet registered with the copyright office and it is 'stolen' in any way you can register the work at that time and file suit. One of the things I do with my creative property is mail them to myself. This way I have proof of the date of creation in the event that I encounter drama prior to registering them. There are many ways to protect yourself and your work outside of hiding your talents and I hope you will explore these so that we may all gain from the selfless act of your storytelling.

Thank you for your positive energy sent in the paths of the local filmmakers.

Hi Bahamas Writer
Thank you so much for responding to the post. I am not certain if you are the same Fay that is connected with the Bahamas Writers Group but I sent an email to you (if you are) about a month ago. I am truly sorry to hear about the ball being dropped on such a wonderful outlet for the creative work as it relates to the film industry. I understand and can empathize with the many challenges that come with this business especially in a country where the market seems almost non-existent. I hope that you will consider revisiting the group and bringing it all back on stream. I made a few attempts at the site and was not able to get through but I will visit the site again and post the search there. Thank you for the well wishes for the Beginning Filmmakers Workshop.

Hi Yaphath-Toar,

Yes, 'tis me! I had to change my email address as I was being spammed with about 1,500 junk emails per day!

Anyway, I received your recent email through the Bahamas Writer contact page, thanks, and will be replying shortly. Also saw your post in the forums at http://www.bahamaswriter.com. I've emailed a friend who was a member of the Bahamas Writers Group, to tell her check out your post, as I believe she has been writing screen plays.

Best wishes,
Fay

best of luck, yaphet ... the workshop's going to be exceptional!

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet Yaphath-Toar recently. We arranged to have a coffee at the Pasion Tea and Coffee Shop, Cable Beach, but when I got there it was closed and Yaphath was nowhere to be seen!

I took a spin around to the post office and was lucky on my way back to see an elegant young woman alighting on her own from a car that had stopped outside the Pasion. I figured this must be Yaphath so I zoomed in and parked!

We chatted in the hot sun, then moved into the shelter of the Pasion’s porch, then into my air conditioned car, then finally I said: “This is ridiculous! Let’s go back to my place!" I introduced her to my husband, one of my sons who was passing through and my once-a-week housekeeper, and I made coffee for us all. Everyone was most impressed by Yaphath and what she had to say, including me.

Yaphath is knowledgeable and passionate about screenwriting, her workshop and the Bahamas (she is a born Bahamian, but she spends her time between Los Angeles and Nassau).

Yaphath and I chatted endlessly and plan to get together again very soon, possibly on a tour of New Providence’s Whylly Plantation, which she is anxious to see and I am very interested in too. We definitely have a lot in common!

I recommend anyone who’s serious about learning screenwriting to check out Yaphath’s local workshops.

Sounds like it was destiny for you both Fay.
I am sure if you two continue to put your minds together you can do amazing things.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet Yaphath-Toar recently. We arranged to have a coffee at the Pasion Tea and Coffee Shop, Cable Beach, but when I got there it was closed and Yaphath was nowhere to be seen!

I took a spin around to the post office and was lucky on my way back to see an elegant young woman alighting on her own from a car that had stopped outside the Pasion. I figured this must be Yaphath so I zoomed in and parked!

We chatted in the hot sun, then moved into the shelter of the Pasion’s porch, then into my air conditioned car, then finally I said: “This is ridiculous! Let’s go back to my place!" I introduced her to my husband, one of my sons who was passing through and my once-a-week housekeeper, and I made coffee for us all. Everyone was most impressed by Yaphath and what she had to say, including me.

Yaphath is knowledgeable and passionate about screenwriting, her workshop and the Bahamas (she is a born Bahamian, but she spends her time between Los Angeles and Nassau).

Yaphath and I chatted endlessly and plan to get together again very soon, possibly on a tour of New Providence’s Whylly Plantation, which she is anxious to see and I am very interested in too. We definitely have a lot in common!

I recommend anyone who’s serious about learning screenwriting to check out Yaphath’s local workshops.
Hi Bahamas Writer
I just replied to your email then logged onto the site to see this posting! Thank you so much for the compliments but it was really I who was inspired and edified by you! I've been ranting and raving to family, collegues and students about my wonderful encounter with 'The Bahamas Writer'! Without disclosing them, of course, I shared the fact that you have some really awesome ideas that make for great visual storytelling...and they reflect the rich history of the Bahamas in ways we can't imagine. So really I should be saying thank you for the inspiration and refreshing...much needed. I walked away thinking that was the best cup of coffee I'd had in a long time...it really is always all about the company now isn't it?! I know you will be busy through August at least but I hope you will have some time in the future to spend with the students and impress upon them the inspiration that you passed on to me. Thank you for the wonderful energy...I was really only reflecting what was being sent my way!

best of luck, yaphet ... the workshop's going to be exceptional!
Thank you islandgyal...we're counting on it!

Hi Bahamas Writer
I just replied to your email then logged onto the site to see this posting! Thank you so much for the compliments but it was really I who was inspired and edified by you! I've been ranting and raving to family, collegues and students about my wonderful encounter with 'The Bahamas Writer'! Without disclosing them, of course, I shared the fact that you have some really awesome ideas that make for great visual storytelling...and they reflect the rich history of the Bahamas in ways we can't imagine. So really I should be saying thank you for the inspiration and refreshing...much needed. I walked away thinking that was the best cup of coffee I'd had in a long time...it really is always all about the company now isn't it?! I know you will be busy through August at least but I hope you will have some time in the future to spend with the students and impress upon them the inspiration that you passed on to me. Thank you for the wonderful energy...I was really only reflecting what was being sent my way!

Hi Yaphath Toar,

Many thanks for your kind words. However, isn't it always the spontaneous things we do that are the most rewarding? And it is of paramount importance to sometimes put aside our busy lives and share inspiration, ideas and goals with each other.

Please let us know how your Beginning Filmmakers Workshops are going. Are they underway or is there still time for aspiring screenwriters to attend? Perhaps you could post a schedule here for anyone who might be interested?

Yaphath is still trying to find information on the Whylly Plantation tours, so she and I can do a tour together, so if anyone knows about this, please post the information here. Thanks!

Best wishes,
Fay

Yaphath-Toar Colebrook is featured in today's "Tribune", "Bahamian Woman", Section C, Page 7 - "Bringing the world of film making home" by Regina Whylly :)