2001-2002 Workshop


	2001-2002 Chesterfield WFP Workshop

	The workshop began on January 7, 2002. Guest speakers Robin Swicord (“Little Women,” “Practical Magic”), Tom Schulman (“Dead Poet’s Society”), Don Roos (“The Opposite Of Sex,” “Single White Female”), Nicholas Kazan (“Reversal Of Fortune,” “Bicentennial Man”), Henry Bromell (“Panic”), Michael Lehmann (“Heathers”, “40 Days and 40 Nights”), Marshall Herskovitz (“I Am Sam”), Helen Hunt (“As Good As It Gets”), Matthew Carnahan (“The Fugitive”), Michael Nozik (“Legend of Bagger Vance”) and Stephen Gaghan (“Traffic”) visited the workshop to share their experience and knowledge with the group.


	“The best thing about Chesterfield is that it's all about writing. It's a writer's oasis in the middle of LA that provides a looking-glass into the Hollywood movie industry without all the pressure. I really believe there is not a better way to be introduced to this side of the industry than through Chesterfield.”

	“I'll never forget my first meeting with my Executive Mentor when he said, ‘If there are a thousand circles to this business, and I'm in circle two, you're in circle four. That's how close you are: you don't know it, but just by being in my office you're further than 90% of the people trying to get into the business.’" --Jonathan




		Helen Hunt visits the Chesterfield fellows to share her philosophy on what makes a good acting role.




	Michael Nozik (“Slums of Beverly Hills,” “Legend of Bagger Vance”) answers questions about the role of the producer.


	“When an Academy Award-winning screenwriter begins a sentence with, ‘I'll tell you the most important thing I know about writing good screenplays....’ well, that's a priceless moment. Each speaker has brought a whole new way of looking at the writing process, a way I never would have thought of before.” --Teena


	“For someone coming out of film school, the WFP offers the perfect balance between theory from experts in the business and hands-on guidance from mentors.” -- Will




		Chesterfield alumnus Matthew Carnahan (CBS series “The Fugitive,” “Black Circle Boys”) recalls his transition from novice to professional screenwriter

“This is how Chesterfield is: there's a small group of us sitting at the table, waiting. A few minutes pass and Stephen Gaghan walks in, plops himself down and just starts talking. Two hours later, he's wrapping up after a session of stories about his experience on "Traffic" and working with Stephen Soderbergh, an emotional account of his first screening of Akira Kurosawa's "Sugata Sanshiro", and his upcoming directing debut, "Abandon," among about a thousand other things. And he seemed to have enjoyed it as much as we did. I almost feel guilty that I'm getting paid for this, almost.” --Jonathan




		Academy Award winner Stephen Gaghan (“Traffic”) relates his experiences as a professional screenwriter.

“As valuable as the whole experience has been, my favorite part has been getting to know and work with the other fellows. We come from so many different places and backgrounds, yet we share this common love of writing and passion for movies. Each one of us is very serious about doing good work and helping each other to work out story problems and write better; at the same time, we are constantly laughing. It has become like a family of sorts. There is nothing more fun than spending time with a bunch of people who all feel lucky to be there.” --Teena




		Screenwriter and WFP mentor Don Roos (“Bounce”) discusses his writing process with the workshop.




	Producer Marshall Herskovitz (“I Am Sam”) visits the workshop..


	“After a number of years of polite rejections and knocking on closed doors, it is simply amazing to have people open their doors and invite you inside, and generously share their time and knowledge. My mentors are probably the smartest people I have ever met, and getting the benefit of their input on my work and ideas has been enormously helpful.”

	“With the support and encouragement from the Chesterfield staff, the mentors, speakers and the other fellows, I believe it will be almost impossible not to write a great screenplay this year. This is without a doubt the best experience of my professional life. Thank you!” --Teena


	“One of the best things about the WFP (and there are many) is the opportunity to work with talented, smart, funny, generous writers. Writing often is a lonely job, so it's a real advantage to have a built-in community to provide both support and critical feedback (and petty cash when you forget to bring money for lunch).” --Lou




	Screenwriter and WFP mentor Nicholas Kazan (“Reversal of Fortune”) talks about creating strong film characters.




	Director Michael Lehmann (“40 Days and 40 Nights”) discusses writing from the director’s point of view.

“They all show up to give YOU advice. Show you what they did to get where they are--basically, show you the cracks in the sidewalk to avoid, and talk you through your troubles before you face them. That's what you get: perspective. A bird's eye view of where you want to go and how to get there. A map.”

“And the director of the program was the first to provide real, practical advice to help me move my story in a stronger direction. He read it overnight. Got back with me quickly. Why? Because Chesterfield cares about the writers and the writing..” --Rachel




	Don Roos answers the Fellows’ questions about working as a professional screenwriter.

“This program is your compass as you write. It will give you new tools and insight, and really show you that you're not alone. You're in the program with other writers going through the same thing you are. Even better, you get access to people who've been there, done that, and come out on top. I'm talking Oscar winners, generous successful writers who are approachable geniuses, household-name producers, directors. the whole gamut.” -- Rachel