The Film Lab is proud to present another Unfinished Works series this fall, featuring professional actors reading exciting new screenplays and the opportunity for the audience to interact with the screenwriter and shape how the screenplays turn out!

Join us on November 13th, 2022 at 3PM EST via Zoom to watch a live reading of these scripts and help these writers workshop their pieces. A variety of Film Lab actors and SAG-AFTRA members will bring Johnny Cole's and Jazmine Cornielle's screenplays to life, and you as an audience member will have the opportunity to participate in developing their stories. After each table read, the directors will open up a feedback session where you can ask questions and make comments about their work. This workshop is open to the public—all are welcome to join! If you or someone you know loves telling stories and scriptwriting, we especially encourage you to join.

About Johnny Cole and Makwa: Barely out of his teens, Johnny was hired to write a play based on the experiences of those in an addiction treatment center. He discovered that stories can be powerfully transformative and that the medicine of story is for everyone. He has since been navigating and weaving his way through the worlds of entertainment and healing. Old Hollywood, 70's classic films, noir, dystopian Sci-fi, along with psychology, shamanism, and the healing arts, inform his work. Makwa has won numerous screenwriting awards. www.makwamovie.com

About Jazmine Cornielle: Jazmine Cornielle is an award-winning writer based in NYC. She is a graduate of The William Esper Studio for Meisner Technique and has taken classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) for comedy writing.

The event will be moderated by Film Lab's UW Coordinator, Andy Lee. https://www.asianamericanfilmlab.com/unfinishedworkscoordinator/

And introducing the following actors in Makwa:

Alaska/Young Alaska: Jennifer Betit Yen

Narrator: Soraya Butler

Dustin: Georges Bridges

Luke/Wayne/Bob: John Wu

Cameron/News Anchor/Robot/Comp Voice: Jackson Mercado

Gemini Moon/Jordan: Kimberly Divad

Serena/Woman: Mami Kimura

Jake: Ro Malabanan

The Film Lab's Unfinished Works program is the perfect event for people who thrive in creative spaces and enjoy helping artists achieve their vision! We hope to see you then.

Unfinished Works is a program for writers, directors, actors and constitutes the Film Lab’s longest running program. Unfinished Works has assisted screenwriters for 20+ years, providing an avenue for traditionally underrepresented filmmakers, screenwriters, and actors to share and workshop their work at any stage of development for honest feedback. The feedback process includes a reading of the piece by professional Film Lab actors and is carefully structured to provide assistance with drafting, editing, outlining, and more.

All writers selected for Unfinished Works cast from the Film Lab Actor Directory, a core group of talented and dedicated artists who have demonstrated commitment both to their craft and to diversity in film and television. To link to our ACTOR DIRECTORY, visit https://www.asianamericanfilmlab.com/programs/actor-directory/.

Some basic rules and guidelines all artists participating in the Unfinished Works program agree to adhere to are below. For complete program guidelines and requirements, please visit www.film-lab.org.

1. Respect People. The program is only as strong as the people who make it up, and every single person in the Film Lab is donating their time and their talent to help make great art and advance underrepresented artists. We expect everyone to treat one another with kindness, courtesy and compassion throughout the entire UW process.

2. Respect the Film Lab Community. The Film Lab’s Unfinished Works (“UW”) program aims to create and promote a supportive community for artists in which everyone from the artists to the members of the audience feel welcome and safe. During virtual event introductions and feedback, we ask you to turn on your camera so we can all be present for the work. During readings, we ask you to turn off your camera so the community can focus on the actors. We love debate and dialogue. That’s why we’re here! However, inappropriate or hostile verbiage will not be permitted and it goes without saying that racist or sexist comments have no place in our feedback sessions.

3. Respect the Writers. The writers selected for the UW program are allowing the actors and audience to view a work in progress, not a completed screenplay. It is the actor and audience member’s job to help guide them to improve and complete their work. Therefore, when giving feedback, remember that the goal is always to give the writer something that inspires them to keep writing. Whether your feedback is complimentary or critical, focus on what will help the writer rather than center yourself as the feedback giver. Be efficient, helpful and compassionate.

For all inquiries, email andy@film-lab.org

"MAKWA & Witches are B*tches" - A Screenplay Reading and Workshop

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