Jami Brandli, MFA, teaches Screenwriting I at grub street, inc. Isaac D. Van Wesep caught up with Jami for IMAGINE and she was kind enough to tell us more about grub street and Screenwriting I. 

IM: What is grub street?
JB: Grub street is a non-profit writing center dedicated to nurturing writers and connecting readers with the wealth of writing talent in the Boston area. We support writers by offering classes, fellowships, employment, and networking opportunities, and by promoting the work of local authors. We also enrich the lives of Boston-area residents by introducing them to a community of fellow readers and writers through author-hosted book clubs, informal discussions, and events such as The Screenwriting Salon.

IM: How did you get involved as an instructor?
JB: I am what you call a real "grubbie." I started out as a student over five years ago and stayed involved while getting my MFA at Emerson College. With my credentials as a script reader for Egg Pictures and Miramax Films, and my current position as a screenwriting instructor at Emerson College, I was hired to teach at grub street. Being a grub instructor is a great honor.

IM: Who enrolls in Screenwriting I?
JB: This is a mixed class and the students' experience with writing a screenplay ranges from non-existent to familiar, but they all want to learn. Their final products are quite amazing. (And keep in mind that most grub students have a full-time job or a family or both!) 

IM: What happens in class?
JB: The objective of this 10 week class is for each student to write their one-page summary, their four-page treatment and the first half of their screenplay. It's very much a boot-camp. All students participate in scene and story workshops every week. I firmly believe that the treatment, or blueprint, of the story needs to be written before the first word of your actual screenplay. If you don't know where your characters are going, you'll most likely get stuck in Act 2, which, to me, is the most difficult Act to write. My students leave the class confident and excited to finish the last half of their screenplay, not stuck in Act 2. 

IM: Screenwriting I is about fundamentals - what do new screenwriters need to focus on?
JB: Screenwriters need to actually read screenplays! Writing a screenplay is very different than writing a piece of prose or poetry. At first, the industry format can be quite frustrating. But, as you continue to read screenplays, you'll see that the format will actually help you envision the trajectory of your story rather than hinder it.

IM: What is The Screenwriting Salon? How do writers get involved?
JB: The Screenwriting Salon is the creation of Michael Bowes, a local indie filmmaker who manages Central Productions (www.centralproductions.org), co-sponsor of The Screenwriting Salon with grub street. The Salon usually takes place at the Coolidge Corner Theater on a monthly basis. For my first grub screenwriting class, I put together a showcase of scenes from my students which was staged in the Coolidge's Screening Room. Professional actors "performed" the scenes. After the performance, my students had a Q & A session with the audience. My students were blown away by the experience and it was great for me to see their words to come life outside of our classroom. 

IM: What else should screenwriters look out for from grub street?
JB: In early spring, The Screenwriting Salon will be hosting a showcase of scenes from my current grub street screenwriting class. We also host a variety of events at our Boston headquarters and around the Boston area. 

IM: What was your favorite New England film event of 2005, and what do you look forward to in 2006? 
JB: I absolutely loved being part of the Boston 48 Hour Film Project in 2005 (www.48hourfilm.com). Also, Open Screen, which is run by Roadside Pictures (www.roadsidepictures.com). It’s an 
open mike night for short films held at the Coolidge every month this spring and summer.
grub street, inc. (sic), a Boston-based writer’s workshop, will offer a second session of their Screenwriting I course this Spring due to high demand for the popular class. grub street has been revered for its teaching since Eve Brindburg founded the group in 1997, and screenwriters make 
up a large portion of their 1700 students and alumni.

For more information visit www.grubstreet.org

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Isaac Van Wesep is a freelance writer and music talent agent living in Cambridge MA. He's also an aspiring screenwriter and has recently completed his first feature-length screenplay, a low-budget comedy called The Ensemble.