In my work with the Digital Design and Production Academy I oversaw the creation of just over a dozen videos. From the word go these kids were creative and adventuresome story tellers. More than ready to adopt new techniques in service of their stories. I was amazed at how quickly they incorporated and interpreted new ideas in their work.
The Desert Screenwriters Guild is all about the craft of story telling. Helping these very receptive students build with and on that craft was an honor. I look forward to working with them again.
As founder and artistic director of Drama West Productions, filmmaker and screenwriter, I enjoy the camaraderie of DSG and find it an invaluable resource for the Palm Springs area. Meetings are always interesting, with a continuum of speakers with expertise in the television and screenwriting world, table reading events, and great conversations with fellow writers. Desert Screenwriters Guild is the go-to for those in the industry who wish to continue honing their craft.
I discovered the Desert Screenwriters Guild when I was invited to speak about my two decades as an animator on The Simpsons. I admire their commitment and passion for cinema and storytelling as well as their record of supporting the Coachella Valley School District-thru their Studio 55 program. The positive impact of the The Desert Screenwriter’s Guild on the nascent film talent in our valley is immeasurable. The group’s regular meetings/workshops include interactive coaching sessions, staged readings and critiques which help members forward their screenwriting projects and careers in a safe, and supportive environment. The Desert Screenwriter's Guild is an invaluable asset to the community.
Janeil Austin's leadership has made Desert Screenwriters Guild one of the premier screenwriters group in the country. Screenwriters learn the A to Z's about screenwriting and getting their projects in front of Producers, Directors, Show Runners, and Actors. Studio 55 at Coachella Valley High School is available for Trailers, Mini episodes, TV and Movie projects. The students led by Monica Perez learn while they produce top rated shows and shorts.
Janeil is an amazing person who has put together an incredible group. She is one of the most hard-working and dedicated people I have ever seen and has brought some amazing people from the film industry down to the desert, or, searched out and found the ones who are already living in the desert. The group has grown from a few people meeting off and on to a solid and important addition to the desert artistic community. John Fraim.
I spoke to this group last year and found everyone very excited to learn and help each other achieve there goals in writing screen plays. Janeil has put together a very supportive place for future and current screenwriters alike!
Board member, volunteer, professional with expertise, and client served all fit me. Janeil Austin founded something special and has been championing it and crusading ever since. The board members, past and present, and volunteers are all phenomenal people. Desert Screenwriters Guild is an organization dedicated to helping screenwriters of all skill levels hone their craft and achieve their writing dreams--including helping us decide to shoot our projects ourselves. It is are a fun group. It has dynamic people who are novices and are just starting scripts but are full of passion, and veterans in the entertainment industry who are applying their showbiz know-how to the written word. DSG features many remarkable speakers who are either actively working in the industry or who have retired after long careers. It also offers the DSG Actors Troupe of professional actors for table reads and special staged readings. I know that my work has grown and changed and I've made great friends. Opportunities have come my way because of DSG and I'm also happy to be able to share expertise as a speaker and discussion facilitator. Expect to have your mind opened.
The Desert Screenwriters Guild Inc. has been a most valuable help to the Digital Design and Production Academy at Coachella Valley High School. Because of the Guild’s support, our students are exposed to many arenas of the film industry that would not be possible living so far away from Los Angeles. The Guild is the catalysis of pairing experts from the entertainment field to work with our students. The Guild is actively involved in helping to build our program with both guidance and assistance. They have been amazing partners.
Desert Screenwriters Guild has been an amazing industry partner with Coachella Valley Unified School District. They have consistently provided meaningful work-based learning experiences for students in our district. Their connections in the valley have helped our film program secure valuable equipment donations and have created opportunities for students to work on television productions.
The Digital Design and Production Academy, from Coachella Valley High school, is very grateful to the Desert Screenwriters Guild Inc. for providing numerous hours of professional development to students interested in the Arts, Media, and Entertainment field. They have partnered with our program and have additionally donated furniture, props, and technology to help cover some of the expenses we have during projects and film shoots. More importantly, they have been an active advocate that has supported our "growing pains" and continues to provide technical and educational workshops with industry professionals. We would not be able to function as we do without their support and guidance.