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The Organization of Black Screenwriters, Inc. (OBS) began in 1986 to address the lack of black writers represented within the entertainment industry. Our primary function is to assist screenwriters in the creation of works for film and television and to help them present their work to the industry. As a result of our great efforts and the continued growth of the organization, we have developed a powerful network which includes the Writers Guild of America and many agents, producers, directors and studios.


 

 


2009 OBS Original Script Contest
Extended Deadline August 15th

Below are the winners from our 2008 Original Script contest:

Teri Jackson - 1st Place in the Film Category with her script entitled “The Ark”

 

Bridgett Michele Lawrence - 1st Place in the Television Category with her pilot entitled “The Value of ‘X' ”

 

(click for application)

 

(click to pay submission fee)

 


Order form for our new OBS T-Shirts is available now! (For fillable form: right click here, select Save Target As, then save the document to a location on your local drive [for example, My Documents])

Follow us on Facebook

Review our 2009 Calendar

Read new information about OBS Script Development on our Resources page

Read updated Meeting Notes via our Meetings Page


OBS MEMBERSHIP DRIVE:

It’s that time again – since the 1st one was such a success, we’ve decided to have a Membership Drive for the month of May. 

 

Here’s how it works...

 

Join at the any of the levels below and receive 15 months membership for the 12 month membership fee.  If you renew your membership in May you will also receive the benefit of getting 3 bonus months.

 

Professional                            $115 yr.

General Member                    $  90 yr.

Affiliate (Out-Of-State)           $  75 yr.

Student  (w/Valid Picture ID)     $  50 yr.

International                           $115 yr.

 

Ex. – May 1 2009 – May 31, 2010; would be May 1, 2009 – August 31, 2010

Membership Drive has been extended through June 30th.  New Membership fees in effect July 1st. 

July 1st 2009 - Membership will increase for all new members.

($25 increase w/ exception of Student, it's $20)

 

NEW MEMBERSHIP FEES: 

Professional  -       $135 yr.

General  -              $115 yr.

Affiliate  -              $100 yr.

Student   -             $  65 yr.

International  -      $135 yr.

 

 

RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP FEES: Remain the same:

Professional  -  $115 yr.

General  -          $  90 yr.

Affiliate  -          $  75 yr.

Student   -         $  50 yr.

International  - $115 yr

 


 

Organization of Black Screenwriters Announces

Finalists in the 2008 OBS Original Script Contest

 

LOS ANGELES , CA - January 12, 2009 - At the OBS meeting on Saturday, January 10, 2009 the finalists for the 2008 OBS Original Script contest were announced. The announcement included Honorable Mention, Semi-Finalists, and the Finalists for both Television and Film categories.

 

The 1st Place winner of the Television category will have the opportunity to take a meeting with Traci Blackwell, Director of Current Programming at The CW and Holly Brown, Film Development Coordinator at Overbrook Entertainment.

 

The 1st Place winner in the Film category will have an opportunity to take a meeting with Glendon Palmer, Director of Development at Our Stories Films and Holly Brown, Film Development Coordinator at Overbrook Entertainment.

 

2008 OBS ORIGINAL SCRIPT CONTEST FINALISTS!

                         CONGRATULATIONS!

 

Please join us in congratulating our FINALISTS.

 

TELEVISION

 

THE VALUE OF EX - By Bridgett M. Lawrence - Glendale, CA

HUNTER'S POINT - By Hilliard Guess - Hollywood, CA

IF YOU ONLY KNEW - Rene N. Rawls - Los Angeles, CA

GIRL MEETS GOD - Yolanda Brown - Greensboro, NC

OLIVIA, THE SLAVE - Yolanda Brown - Greensboro, NC

ALL ABOUT INGRID - Christy Michelle Lavalais - Van Nuys, CA

 

FEATURE FILM

 

SOCCER MOM - By Dwayne Conyers - Alexandria, VA

THE ARK - By Teri Brown-Jackson - Reseda, CA

A BULLET BEATS A HANGIN'! - By Tony Bankston - Los Angeles, CA

ELLINGTON'S JYNX - By Cassandra Black - Los Angeles, CA

BOOSKIE - By DeMarco Dunnigan - Rancho Cucamonga, CA

HARD KNOCKS - By Jela Oba Okpara Perry - Santa Monica, CA

COUGARS ON THREE - By Tanisha White - Encino, CA

THE HARD PLACE - By Doug Jackson - North Hollywood, CA

WORTH FIGHTING FOR - Marlene Taylor - Tarzana, CA

 

 

Stay tuned for the announcement of our winners!

 

SEMI-FINALISTS AND HONORABLE MENTIONS...

 

SEMI-FINALISTS

 

TELEVISION

 

THERE'S A LOT TO LOVE "LOVE, THE HARDEST THING TO LOVE" - Raenell D. Jones Los Angeles, CA

THE GOODE GIRLS - Angie Marbury-Reevers Lawrenceville, GA

THE VALUE OF EX - Bridgett M. Lawrence - Glendale, CA

HUNTER'S POINT - Hilliard Guess - Hollywood, CA

IF YOU ONLY KNEW - Rene N. Rawls - Los Angeles, CA

GIRL MEETS GOD - Yolanda Brown - Greensboro, NC

OLIVIA, THE SLAVE - Yolanda Brown - Greensboro, NC

ALL ABOUT INGRID - Christy Michelle Lavalais - Van Nuys, CA

 

FEATURE FILM

 

CHARITY CASE - Malcolm Carter Playa Del Rey, CA

MUM - Todd Rhys-Roosevelt Oxford, ENG

LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP - Nyabingi Kuti Glendale, CA

A LITTLE OFF THE TOP - Jason Wright Redlands, CA

MAD DOG RUN - Beverly Smith Dawson Phoenix, AZ

STAT GUY - Altman Carter Longwood, FL

RIDERS OF THE APOCALYPSE - Jason Wright Redlands, CA

THE FUNKY FRESH FIVE - Mark S. Rochon Chicago, IL

WINDY CITY STORY - Frank (BINDER) Artrage Berkeley , CA

THE SAME BLOOD - Angie Marbury Reevers Lawrenceville, GA

TWINKLE - Cassandra Black Los Angeles, CA

SOCCER MOM - Dwayne Conyers Alexandria, VA

THE ARK - Teri Brown-Jackson Reseda, CA

A BULLET BEATS A HANGIN'! - Tony Bankston Los Angeles, CA

ELLINGTON'S JYNX - Cassandra Black Los Angeles, CA

BOOSKIE - DeMarco Dunnigan Rancho Cucamonga, CA

HARD KNOCKS - Jela Oba Okpara Perry Santa Monica, CA

COUGARS ON THREE - Tanisha White Encino, CA

THE HARD PLACE - Doug Jackson North Hollywood, CA

WORTH FIGHTING FOR - Marlene Taylor Tarzana, CA

 

There's also our Honorable Mention.

They did a good job, but there is still work to be done.

 

HONORABLE MENTION

 

TELEVISION

 

I'M NOT YOUR MOTHER - By Todd Rhys-Roosevelt Oxford, ENG

FIFTH QUARTER: FLAGDOWN - By Donique Patton & Rick Walls Burbank, CA

AN AFFLUENT HIDEAWAY - By Zelie Dember-Slack Yorba Linda, CA

DORM DIARIES - By Jo-Issa Rae Diop New York , NY

SLIPKNOT - By Kristen V Carter Newark, NJ

THIS IS SO NOT HAPPENING - By Jamica C. Ashley Wilmington, NC

DEEP COVER "HOME IS WHERE THE CRIME IS" - By Shaleatha Palmore Palmdale, CA

CADDY & LAZ - By Marcus Thomas IL

T.P.A. (TRANS PACIFIC AIRLINES) - By Michelle Paige Las Vegas, NV

 

FEATURE FILM

 

COURTSIDE - By Alan C. Beard North Hollywood , CA

BEST SERVED COLD - By Thomas A. Bryant Bristol, TN

DEXTER'S DESTINY - By Zelie Dember-Slack Yorba Linda, CA

LILAH - By Melda Robinson Antioch, TN

SEPARATE BUT EQUAL - By Brandon Hammond El Monte, CA

FLORIDA SKY - By Kimberly Allen North Hollywood, CA

BUDDY FOR LIFE - By Maine Johnson Los Angeles, CA

THE ANKH - By Leonard Hunter Pittsburg, CA

MEN WITHOUT SHADOW - By Claude-Michel Prevost British Columbia, CAN

REALITY CHECK - By Wm. Jaman Taylor Marietta, GA

2011 ALCATRAZ LANE - By Joy Bennett Laverne, CA

BETWEEN THE LIES - By Rachel Skerritt Roxbury, MA

THE GOOD LIFE - By Regina Junior Crosett, AR

THE LAWYER'S SON - By Wm. Jaman Taylor Marietta, GA

COHORTS - By Aundrea Trotter Jackson, MS

DREAM LOVER - By Dwayne Conyers Alexandria, VA

THE WOMEN BEFORE ME - By Lasey S. Latta Victorville, CA

PRE$ - By George W. Stubbs, II Culver City, CA

 

DOWNLOAD SCRIPT CONTEST ANNOUNCEMENT


OBS SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT

“Our Goal is to Develop Great Writers.”  In keeping with that goal, OBS has provided an affordable method for the aspiring pro to develop his or her skills.  Submitting a feature film or TV script to our readers for coverage may put you – the writer – on track to have your manuscript developed by “Friends of OBS.”

Friends of OBS are industry professionals who share the vision of our organization.  They may be current TV story editors, Creative Executives, or professional screenwriting teachers.  When a script receives a “Recommend” through Levels I & II of our development process, the writer will benefit from having OBS prepare your script for introduction to the industry.

Read more... 

 


 

OBS MEMBER NEWS…

 

LOS ANGELES, CA – January 20, 2009:  OBS Member News begins… 2009 is off to a great start for many OBS members.  You’ve seen our lists of finalists, semi-finalist, and honorable mentions for the 2008 Script Contest well there’s more good news from others!

 

Join us in congratulating:

 

2009 Cosby Fellows:

Corey Moore, Shanon Muir, & Marc Ewing!

 

Monique McIntyre getting her acting chops on in an “Extra” gum commercial -- Monique is the lady in the commercial that is trying to resist the potato chips that it appears her co-worker is eating.  She succeeds! 

 

Pauline Gray placed in the quarter-finals for the Fade In/ Writer's Network Competition for both "Sniper" and a romantic comedy I wrote called "Accidents Happen."

 

Caryn K. Hayes film, "Every Dawg Has His Day" premieres at the San Diego Black Film Festival on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 8:00 PM.

 

And finally, as we begin 2009, special congratulations to our own Board of Director’s member, Michael A. Ajakwe Jr., writer, of "Trevino."  A comedy series featuring a Hispanic funnyman with "a uniquely American voice" is coming to television in the fall.

(Click here to read news article).

 

We are very excited about all the things that are happening for OBS members and look forward to much, much, more as the year progresses.

 

Jennifer Williams, President

 


Read a review of OBS' recent screening of short films by Erika Smith

 

 

 

 The next OBS meeting will be on Saturday, July 11th at 10:00 am. Guest speaker will be agent Larry Williams of Larry Williams Agency, LLC ____________________

2009 OBS Original Script Contest information available now! Submission deadline is August 15th ____________________

Visit our new Media Gallery to view clips from our June 6th Actor's Panel.

 

OBS/TRI DESTINED SHORT FILM SCRIPT CONTEST FINALISTS…

 

Congratulations to all our finalists in the OBS/Tri Destined Studios Short Film Script contest.  The winners will be announced in June and go on to pre-production of their film. 

 

FINALISTS

Rene   Rawls              The Easter Speech

Pauline Gray               250 Cups of Coffee

Corey B Moore            Muddy Waters

Ron  Covington           Conversation Rites

Cassandra Black        A Father's Presence

Ace Ramsey                This Little Light Of Mine

Monique Reed           W.W.O.D.

 

 

Tri Destined was very impressed with all the entries and wanted to give recognition to some Honorable Mentions listed below.

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Beverly Smith-Dawson           "Going Down"

Autumn Canaday                   Cassie's Lesson

Teri Brown-Jackson                "Dark Chocolate"

Hilliard Guess                         thou shalt ALWAYS kill

Raenell D Jones                     Heads or Tails

Elyce   Strong                         Golden Boys

Terrell  Lawrence                    Mutual Understanding

LaTonya Croff                         The Woman Between Us

Cassandra Black                    Perception

Marlene Taylor                       Hot Wired

Christy M Lavalais                  Mo Ye Premye

Kathryn J Taylor                     Photo Not Shown

Alice Charles                           The Kid

 

Kimberley Allen                      The Average American

Zelie Dember-Slack

           

Emill    Shavoz                        And Damn…I Gotta Pay My Rent

Layla   Mashavu                     Lemonade

 

All of the shoot film scripts submitted will be getting a 2nd and 3rd look by OBS Production Committee and we’ll be choosing other projects to shoot also.  So stay tuned to see exactly what our writers can do!

 

 

 

 

Hello OBS,

We (OBS) are a Diversity Partner with NATPE, National Association of Television Programming Executives, to participate in their fourth year, the NATPE Diversity Fellowship Program, presented in collaboration with the Walter Kaitz Foundation, provides a small group of emerging television and video content creators of color with the next step in their career development.

 

The Fellowship offers a series of mentoring meetings, workshops, networking and educational opportunities and kicks-off during the week of NATPE's LATV Fest, July 8-9, 2009**.

 

To get all fellowship program information and download the application, go to:  http://latvfest.net/latvfestival/ As a Diversity Partner, OBS members get a special discount rate when they register for the conference!

 

I encourage as many members as can to apply for this fellowship!  All OBS Members in “Good Standing” should indicate on their application that they are an OBS Member (this will be verified). 

The application submission deadline is April 28, 2009.
http://latvfest.net/latvfestival/ 

www.NATPE.org

 

 

** NOTE: OBS members, via email you will be sent a special promo code which will entitle you to $100 off on the registration fee when registering for the LATV Festival.

 

Tri Destined Studios/ Organization of Black Screenwriters

Short Film (Script) Contest

   

Tri Destined Studios & Organization of Black Screenwriters have partnered to present a Short (Script) Film Contest. 

 

This is a contest for all OBS members in “good standing” to have an opportunity to write an original script for a short film to by produced by Tri Destined Studios.  This is a great opportunity for a fortunate screenwriter to demonstrate their abilities with a produced short film based on their writing.

 

This production opportunity is open to OBS writers, 18 yrs and older, meeting the following requirements:

 

·    Screenplay must be original work of author

·    Strong character based scripts (no Horror or Action genres)

·    Screenplay must be no longer than 20 pages

·    Must have no more than 5 locations

·    Multiple entries are accepted (each entry must have a submission form with it)

·    Scripts must be registered with WGA and/or have Copyright

·    Scripts must be on plain white paper

·    Scripts must be in industry format and bound with two or three brads.

·    No substitutions of new drafts or corrected pages for script entries will be accepted

·    under any circumstances

·    A Tri Destined Studios Screenplay release form must be signed

·    Scripts must be submitted to the Organization of Black Screenwriters, Golden

·    State Mutual Life Insurance Bldg., 1999 West Adams Blvd. , Rm. Mezzanine, Los Angeles , CA 90018.

 

Don’t miss out!  Download the entry form and get busy and get your submission in as soon as possible.

 


OBS ON TOUR

“ABOVE THE BASICS: THE NEXT STEP” – SCREENWRITER WORKSHOP

 

Due to the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the date for OBS On Tour - Northern California has been changed to May 29th & May 30th, 2009.

Click for more Bay Area information …

We look forward to seeing you there.

 

Registration Fee:

Affiliate Members - $195

Non-Members - $225

Students - $100 (with valid pictured-student I.D.)

Join us as we meet our members for a comprehensive workshop, “Above the Basics – The Next Step”. The workshop will have two tracks and attendees will choose to follow Track 1 - “Writing for Television” or Track 2 - “Writing for Film” workshop.

The objective of this workshop is to provide insight into the Organization of Black Screenwriters (OBS) and the value of membership which includes being a part of OBS sanctioned writer’s groups and explain in detail the Script Development Department.

Click here to make your OBS ON TOUR payment

Upcoming:

June - New York

September - Detroit

October - Washington DC

 

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