FMS students provided script coverage for the 18th annual Baltimore Screenwriters Competition, sponsored by the Baltimore Film Office at the Baltimore Office for Promotion and the Arts. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in May. Under the supervision of FMS Senior Lecturer Lucy Bucknell, students were first readers for both features and shorts. Here’s what they had to say about the experience:
Genesis Aire, Class of 2023: In my workshops at Hopkins, I get the opportunity to read stories from writers from all over the country. It was an illuminating experience to engage with stories that take place in Baltimore, written by emerging writers in the community. I was able to immerse myself in a perspective outside the university. Each script was unique in its content, creative in its execution, and unafraid to make bold choices. It was exciting to see the different ways writers incorporated place into their stories. Truly a testament to the diversity in Baltimore, the scripts, as a collection, read like a love letter to the city.
Indi Aufranc, Class of 2024: It was a pleasure reading for the Baltimore Screenwriter’s Competition for a second year in a row. Each script I read was unique in its voice, style, and genre– the writers’ passion for their work came through very clearly in these scripts. This variety kept coverage writing interesting, as each script brought something new to the table. I hope that these writers continue to produce creative work like what I saw from the competition this year and that the feedback they received was helpful and constructive!
Mia DeAngelo, Class of 2024: I feel very grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as a reader for the Baltimore Screenwriters Competition this year. The writers really inspired me with the personal nature of many of their narratives and the different ways they explored the culture and environment of Baltimore. Though many came from amateur screenwriters, the scripts I read had such strong visions and perspectives that I found fascinating and impressive. I hope to see many of them on screen someday! Through the process of reading, analyzing, and critiquing the screenplays, I learned so much about what works and what does not in a film script and how to articulate meaningful feedback in a concise way. I feel very honored to have participated in reading screenplays for the Baltimore Screenwriters Competition and I hope that the writers will use the feedback they received throughout this process to continue improving their scripts and their craft. I cannot wait to read what they write next!
Anne Flemming, Class of 2024: I had a great time reading and doing coverage on scripts for the Baltimore Screenwriters Competition. All of the scripts were so unique and I really looked forward to being pulled into those new and exciting worlds while I was reading. Then, when I got to become part of the process myself by covering the scripts and giving feedback, I really felt like this was my world now too. I got to hone my own critical skills and took away things to implement in my own writing in the future. Overall, I learned a lot and had a fun time while doing so!