Susan Rodgers' journey into film started with a regular on-set wardrobe continuity gig on ‘Emily of New Moon,’ the CBC television series shot in Summerside. Her foray into serious film writing began with a box of wartime letters discovered in the attic of the historic house where she worked as curator, which launched her first award winning half hour screenplay and filmed drama, Bobby’s Peace. A year at Vancouver Film School led to a number of client documentary film projects, as well as a web series, period short film, short comedy, and music video.
 
Susan then journeyed into writing novels, and was thrilled and inspired by her selection as a Finalist in the 2011 Atlantic Writing Awards for her as yet unpublished first novel, A Certain Kind of Freedom. A critically acclaimed excerpt has been re-worked as a short story and featured in an anthology produced by Israeli based website The Writers’ Drawer.
 
The Drifters books were next - eight so far, and three more on the way. Wildly popular and quickly spreading, mostly by word of mouth, they’ve been described as women’s fiction with an angsty romantic flair. Drifters is the name of a fictional TV series shot in Vancouver, where the characters meet and true drama begins. Susan is currently in the process of adapting the first novel of the series for screen. 

This past summer, inspired by L.A. screenwriting mentors Bill Boyle and Donald Martin, Susan rewrote and polished the feature screenplay ‘Still The Water,’ with plans to produce or sell the project, depending on where the stars decide to align!

To find out more about Susan and her work go to www.susanrodgersauthor.com.
 

November 26th - WIFTVancover discuss their Genre Concept Competition 
 

Sharon McGowan will be skyping in to chat with us about the WIFT-V genre concept competition for women screenwriters. We'll be meeting at Springhead Studios on Nov 26th at 5:30 pm to hear about what they are looking for and what winners can expect. This will be a great time to get together and discuss ideas. Those who decide to apply will also be able to have their concepts read and critiqued by industry veteran Cheryl Wagner for free before submission. This will give your concepts a leg up in the competition. 
 

December 3rd - Get up and Go PEI  presents Cheryl Wagner 
 

December 20th - The Shortest Day a screening of Canadian shorts

The Charlottetown Film Society in collaboration with Telefilm Canada and the Island Media Arts Cooperative brings you a series of eight of the best recent Canadian short films screened at City Cinema.  Entrance is free and audience is 17+.  Running time: 94 min. Films include:

Bacon & God’s Wrath-- A 90-year-old Jewish woman reflects on her life’s experiences as she prepares to try bacon for the first time.

Bus Story-- When a woman signs up to drive a school bus, she dreams of cruising down quiet country lanes and connecting with young students and their parents.

Call it Blue-- Obliging to a simple request of hitching a ride, Benito quickly discovers that Ana lacks a destination.

No Fish Where to Go-- Created using watercolour animation, this timeless tale of war and intolerance unfolds through the bewildered eyes of a young girl.

Overpass-- One night, Mathieu, 17, goes under an overpass to paint graffiti (French with English sub-titles).

The Little Deputy--Trevor tries to have a photo taken with his father. 

The Pepperette-- When two wannabe thieves try to act like bad boys by playing in the big leagues... nothing good happens! (French with English sub-titles)

The Wolf Who Came to Dinner-- Bea Barkley is an eight-year-old horror fanatic with a serious problem.

More info about the Shortest Day

BEST INTERWEB FIND OF THE MONTH:

RYAN by Chris Landreth, 2004 
This Oscar®-winning animated short from Chris Landreth is based on the life of Ryan Larkin, a Canadian animator who produced some of the most influential animated films of his time. Ryan is living every artist's worst nightmare - succumbing to addiction, panhandling on the streets to make ends meet. Through computer-generated characters, Landreth interviews his friend to shed light on his downward spiral. Some strong language. Viewer discretion is advised.