Author: Tee Johnson

We all know that Georgia’s largest city is the place to be when it comes to movie and TV production. But the city is also trying to become a writer’s mecca. If you want to know how to become a screenwriter in Atlanta, here are some steps you should follow.

Atlanta has replaced Hollywood as a movie mecca, but to a large extent, all the writers rooms remain in California. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be a screenwriter in Atlanta.

How to become a screenwriter in Atlanta

In this article, we’re going to show you how to become a screenwriter in Atlanta so that your storytelling can make it to the big and small screen.

AtlantaFi.com enlisted an expert, Tequoia Urbina, an Atlanta-based screenwriter and producer to help us break down the steps. She said she’s been doing video production since age 12 and has worked on various projects throughout her career.

“I create stories with strong female protagonists and diverse characters,” she said. “I believe in weaving current events and global issues that will provoke discourse and inspire change.”

If you want to do the same and become a screenwriter in Atlanta, here is a step-by-step process to make it happen:

1. Get the skills, education & know-how

If you’re serious about becoming a screenwriter, you’ll want to devote the time, energy (and money) it takes to go to school for it.
Urbina attended a performing and visual arts magnet school in Savannah, Georgia from the sixth through 11th grade. She then went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in film from Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta.

She then earned her M.S. in Communications from Northeastern University.

Once you graduate or have amassed the experience you think you need to be successful in screenwriting, it’s time to start coming up with a project to write.

2. Write your project

Make sure your storytelling skills express something you think is either sellable or you’re passionate about. Also, make sure you stick with a genre you’ve researched and are able to do well.

Urbina said the #1 way to make your project a success is to make it unique.

“BE ORIGINAL, the more unique your script, the more difficult to steal.”

3. Make connections / network

Your work is going to stand on its own merits, but it always helps to make some helpful connections along the way. Urbina said you should use your social media accounts to try to reach people that can help your project take off.

“I use social media platforms to make industry connections,” she said. “I have found LinkedIn to be the most effective platform for connecting with people in the industry and forming businesses relationships. I also highly recommend joining industry groups and attending local networking events.”

4. Get your screenplay seen

Now that you have this awesome screenplay, you may be wondering how the right person will read it. This is where you find ways to get it out there.

“The best way to have screenplays read is to submit them to competitions,” Urbina said. “I advise that you use recognized sites like Blacklist and Coverfly for details on legitimate contests.”

Of course, you can always go the DIY route to get your film before the masses. Here’s what Urbina said about that:

“If you have a budget, film your project and promote it on social media.”

Urbina said that many contests offer critique on submissions for an extra fee. “It is a great way to get objective feedback on your scripts and possibly the attention of industry professionals.”

If you follow these steps, you will have a great chance of becoming a successful screenwriting career in Atlanta. But don’t think it happens overnight.

Urbina said the process can be long or relatively short, depending on many factors. “There is no specific time frame. All contests have their own processing rate.”

Here’s the #1 thing you want to remember as you submit screenplays

Urbina said the #1 thing you can do is protect your original work.

“The best advice that I can offer is to always copyright your work before submitting or sharing,” she said. “Also, don’t be afraid to send off your work for fear of someone stealing your idea. Yes, it is a risk but it is worth it if it lands in the right hands.”

Atlanta has become a movie mecca in recent years and Georgia has been a favorite location for TV productions since the state instituted generous tax breaks for film companies that agree to shoot locally. Projects from CBS, NBC, HBO, BET and more are slated to shoot in the metro area in 2018-19 and the foreseeable future.

Want to work in Georgia film & TV? Here are the latest Atlanta casting calls

The post 4 Easy Steps To Become A Screenwriter In Atlanta appeared first on AtlantaFi.com.

Source: AtlantaFi

Things to do on Friday, Sept. 27

• Park(ing) Day in South Downtown
  11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. / Broad St.
• You Got Time Comedy Show
  7:00 p.m. / The Village Theatre

Don’t miss: The Chef-Off at Monday Night Garage

Things To Do In Atlanta On A Sunday

Atlanta has so much to do that you need a curated guide to help you sort through it all. Make sure you subscribe to our #ATLHaps newsletter that gives you a weekly tab of Atlanta events you don’t want to miss.

Explore Atlanta at your own pace

First, to find all the good things happening in the city this week, all you have to do is take a look at downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. CNN Center often has something cool going on! Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend:

• For a month’s view: The Official Atlanta Events Calendar
• For a more immediate look, check Things to do in Atlanta This Week

Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com you might like:

• Here are the REALLY FUN things to do in Atlanta
• Check out these FREE events in Atlanta
• Feeling adventurous? Here are some outdoorsy things to do in ATL

The post Things To Do This Weekend In Atlanta: Sept. 27-29 appeared first on AtlantaFi.com.

Source: AtlantaFi

DJ Envy, New York radio personality and producer, is hosting a real estate seminar in Atlanta. This event is set for Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, 11 a.m. at the Georgia World Congress Center, Building A, Room 302 – 305 Atlanta, GA 30313.

Join Cesar (flipping_nj) and DJ Envy for a life-changing experience where they share their knowledge and industry secrets.

Cesar & DJ Envy’s Real Estate Seminar come to Atlanta

Hear from real estate experts such as mortgage brokers, real estate attorneys, hard money lenders, credit consultants, construction and rehab professionals, and others who will walk you through the ins and outs of real estate.

If you’re an investor, first time home buyer, or interested in how to make money in real estate you cannot miss this seminar. Get ready to take notes in order to prepare yourself for a great investment! Space is limited.

There are so many Atlanta events popping off every week it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest gatherings, Atlanta happenings, parties and more delivered to your inbox.

Things to do in Atlanta on a weekly basis can range from going golfing mid-week to checking out the latest restaurant openings. At AtlantaFi.com, we curate the city for you!

Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com you might like:

• Here are the REALLY FUN things to do in Atlanta
• Check out these FREE events in Atlanta
• Feeling adventurous? Here are some outdoorsy things to do in ATL

The post Don’t Miss: Cesar & DJ Envy’s Real Estate Seminar in Atlanta appeared first on AtlantaFi.com.

Source: AtlantaFi