Participants will experience an intimate and in-depth conversation with Sean Cisterna and Fabio Montanari about how to develop a successful script from start to finish.
Topics being covered include:
- Finding Your Story Idea
- Structuring Your Screenplay
- Building Compelling Characters
- Writing Effective Dialogue
- Visual Storytelling Techniques
- Rewriting and Refining Your Script
- Pitching Your Script to Producers
The workshop element of this seminar includes the unique opportunity to PITCH YOUR ORIGINAL SCRIPT/SCREENPLAY ideas to our award winning panel to receive invaluable feedback, constructive insights, and suggestions for improvement.
If you are a high school student, please email info@vaughanfilmfestival.com for a 50% off discount code upon proof of enrollment.
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Sean Cisterna
Sean Cisterna is a multi award-winning and versatile film director. His latest film is the feature documentary The Long Rider (2022), the expansive and inspiring story of Filipe Leite's journey from Canada to Brazil entirely on horseback, and filmed in 13 countries. Cisterna found success with From the Vine (2020), an international coproduction starring Emmy winner Joe Pantoliano (The Matriz, Memento, The Sopranos), and distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Cisterna directed the acclaimed cancer drama Kiss and Cry (2017), which topped the Canadian box office, and is currently streaming on Netflix worldwide. Cisterna is currently working on a slate of drama and documentary television projects with national broadcaster TLN Television, supported by the Canadian Media Fund. Cisterna was awarded a Canada 150 Citizenship Award by the Federal Government for his dedication to and community engagement in the arts. He is currently in production on Silver Screamers, a feature documentary about a group of senior citizens who come together to make a horror movie.
Moderator: Fabio Montanari
Fabio Montanari is a filmmaker and a film professor, who has written a number of series for top networks including Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime Video, and National Geographic. As a Screenwriter and Director, Professor Montanari's independent work has been screened in major film festivals around the world. He has creates content in multiple markets including the U.S., Argentina, and Venezuela. Montanari is an Assistant Professor at York University and is a member of the Connected Minds Program, where he researches the intersections of Artificial Intelligence, Storytelling, and Screenwriting.
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