WORKSHOP
Screenwriting: Writing and Rewriting to Make Your Movie
“Wally is an incredible teacher whose passion for screenwriting and filmmaking is truly inspiring. He provides thoughtful and insightful feedback and supports his students every step of the way. I can’t recommend this workshop enough for anyone that wants to make a short film!” - Kristen Flanagan
“Wally's screenwriting workshop gave me the encouragement and support I needed to write and produce my first short film. The connections and experience I gained from the class were invaluable!” - Joel Rosen
Instructor: Wally Marzano-Lesnevich
Location: E-Media
Cost: $400
Schedule: Wednesday evenings 7-9pm, March 19th through April 14th
In this course, participants will:
Write and hone their screenplays in a workshop environment
Rewrite drafts with a focus on character, plot and tone
Learn how to iterate and create new drafts so as to continually improve their script
Read and test their scenes aloud for rewriting purposes
Rewrite their final draft as a production draft with an eye towards making their project
Work towards creating an actionable plan to film their screenplay, as previous workshop participants have
This class requires a minimum of five participants in order to take place and will be capped at eight participants. To register, please email workshops@EasthamptonFilmFestival.com
INSTRUCTOR
Wally Marzano-Lesnevich
Screenwriter, Actor & Director
Wally Marzano-Lesnevich co-wrote the feature “The Problem With People” with actor/comedian Paul Reiser. Available from Quiver on numerous platforms, the film premiered at the Austin Film Festival and co-stars Reiser opposite Irish actor Colm Meaney. His debut feature “Almost Paris" premiered at Tribeca, received the Audience Choice Award at the Beaufort International Film Festival and Best Screenplay at the Golden Door International Film Feature, and was distributed by Freestyle Digital Media. He has also written numerous short films.
As an actor he has appeared in the features “Annabelle Hooper and the Ghosts of Nantucket,” “Almost Paris” and “The Depths,” and has made numerous short films, several of which have screened at EHFF, including his directorial debut “Thunderclap." Onstage he has acted for numerous theatre companies. Locally he’s the co-director of The LAVA Film Festival, and has taught screenwriting for the Smith Precollege Summer Creative Writing Workshop.
See more about Wally and his work on the IMDb and www.wallyml.com.
WORKSHOP
Animation Playshop
Instructor: Melissa McClung
Location: Northampton Open Media
Cost: FREE
Schedule: Every second Wednesday of every month, starting 1/8/25
We will learn:
Basic principles of animation/stop motion
Prepping your stop motion sequence
How to make your own DIY animation set up
Working with Dragonframe software & cameras
Tips and tricks to reduce flicker, work efficiently, and have fun!
Animation too involved? Ideas for how to make magic without the tedium
Students will have access to animation set-ups and Dragonframe software during the class time. There will be some opportunity to access the equipment outside of class time. Melissa will also introduce students to apps and techniques that require minimal equipment and/or cellphones. Her goal is to make animation as accessible as possible, inside and outside the class!
INSTRUCTOR
Melissa McClung
Filmmaker & Animator
Melissa McClung is a filmmaker and animator based in Western Massachusetts. Melissa was nominated for 2024 Cinema Eye Honors in Visual Design for her work on the science documentary, The Arc of Oblivion, directed by Ian Cheney and produced by Wicked Delicate & Sandbox Films with Executive Producer Werner Herzog. The film premiered at SXSW 2023 and CPH:DOX 2023. As a writer/director, Melissa has screened short films all over the world, including at Ann Arbor Film Festival, Maryland Film Festival, and Melbourne Documentary Film Festival. In addition to her creative work, Melissa co-owns Ghost Hit Recording Studio with her husband, audio engineer Andrew Oedel. Melissa earned her MFA in Film from Vermont College of Fine Arts and her BA from Vassar College.
Melissa’s animations are:
“casually magical” - Screen Daily
“delightful” - Reel News Daily
See more about Melissa and her work at www.melissamcclung.com and @melissasmarbles on instagram.