1) Reserve the date

Check the group calendar to find the next available date. More details below.

2) Confirm space

If the calendar entry isn't coded to a location, you'll need to call and confirm. More details below.

3) Prepare yourself

Having a few essential items covered before you arrive to your reading saves you and the group valuable time. More details below.

To add your information to the calendar:

1) Go to the group calendar and select the event date you want to claim.

2) Contact Joy with details for your reading. In your e-mail, include the date you want, your full name, script title, genre and logline.

3) Joy will update the event details and confirm that it's complete

4) Optional: E-mail the group to notify them that your reading is scheduled.

Dates are set aside on the group calendar months in advance, and our spaces don't allow us to book that far out. You'll need to make sure you lock a space for your reading.

Call one of two places, depending on the size of your reading:

Packard's library room

• A large bar with a private room in the back
• 10 seats max
• They serve food and drinks

To check availability, contact ??? and tell her you're with the screenwriters group: ???.

MEF community room

• Quiet room in office building adjacent to cafe
• Space not always available
• Large room (seats 20+)
• Requires key pickup by 5pm day of meeting

To check availability, contact Maggie Kaba and tell her you're with the screenwriters group: 413-584-8500 x8.

Note: If you desire, you can schedule your reading elsewhere (your home, Smith College, etc), but know that Northampton is central to our members; booking far from downtown could affect attendance.

Assign roles to limited number of readers

Figure out how to assign all of your characters to as few readers as possible. Try to avoid one reader playing multiple roles in the same scene. Figure these logistics out at the reading wastes valuable time.

Tip: Give each reader a list of the characters they are playing, and the pages each appears on. Example: "Reader#1 - Garbageman (pg.7, 29), Joey (pp 17-20), Chuck (pg.53), Man#1 (pg.64) & Sam (pp.79-85)." This will prevent your readers from missing their cues, and help the reading flow.

Make sure there are enough readers for all the roles

The RSVP on the calendar will indicate how many people will be present at group. If extra readers are needed, you'll need to round them up.

Tip: You can assume that all the writers attending will be willing to read, but if you need more readers, you can:

• E-mail the list, which forwards to the 20+ actors affiliated with the workshop.
• Encourage actors you know to come read (also encourage them to join our group.
• Ask friends and family. Sometimes the uncle the character was based on can give a great read, and the reactions of non-writerns can be valuable.

Please bring the following to group:

• A digital pdf file to share with members who are going to read off their laptop
• Beverages (wine, soda, etc) and snacks. This will keep energy levels up and improve the experience of the workshop.
• Printed scripts for 50% of the readers. Note: those of us who own laptops bring them for reading off-screen, which saves resources, but good to bring some printed copies for those with vision problems or who do not have a laptop.