As Willamette Writers heads into the last two weeks of organizing their annual conference, finalizing details for workshops, classes, pitches and celebrations; FiLMLaB, likewise, is putting the final editorial and post-production touches on winner Mark Scarbrough’s short film, The Robbery. Yes, it is a film now, his short script transformed by director Michael Parisien of Going Street Films and his talented crew. Like Willamette Writers, whose year long efforts culminate in their August 7-9th shindig, our efforts will culminate as well when Bug Eyed Bill premiers at the WWC.

With a new title that is more reflective of the final version of Mark’s script, The Return of Bug Eyed Bill represents multiple rewrites post contest win. After Mark made it into the finals, he was given a chance to rewrite his script based on notes from Hollywood professionals before it went to final judging. After he won our contest, he worked with script mentor Randall Jahnson to more fully shape his script into what the director envisioned. The final result of this collaboration will be on display Saturday night, August 8th at the Lloyd Center Doubletree Hotel. The film premiers at 6:00 pm in the Lloyd Center Ballroom. Free to conference attendees and the public, we hope you’ll join us for Mark’s film and what promises to be a lively panel discussion with the very talented cast and crew of 2015 FiLMLaB!

If you choose to come early, be sure to stop by the Ballroom for our annual awards event, featuring Lifetime Achievement Winner, Tom Robbins, and the launch of WW’s newest venture, our literary magazine, The Timberline Review. And if you want to stay late, there’s a kicking party upstairs ($50) as Willamette Writers celebrates it’s 50th year!

Hope to see you at FiLMLaB and the conference. Bring your dancing shoes!