Isabelle Raynauld in Ottawa, February 12-13

On Friday, February 12, Ottawa's SAW Video presents a free screening of Isabelle Raynauld's documentary Mystical Brain, followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker. On Saturday, February 13, Isabelle Raynauld will lead a half-day workshop about script writing for the documentary followed by a workshop about script writing for fiction.

Since 1990 Isabelle Raynauld has devised, scripted, or directed many film and TV productions. In 2002, she won the Jutra Award for Best Documentary for Le Minot d'Or, which she conceived, wrote and directed. As well as being an experienced documentary filmmaker and accomplished screenwriter, Raynauld has taught film studies since 1989: first at Montreal's Concordia University, then at the Université de Montréal, where she is currently a tenured professor in the Art History and Film Studies department.

Friday, February 12, 2010: Screening of Mystical Brain.
Club SAW, 67 Nicholas St. Ottawa, 7pm. Free admission. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the filmmaker. In French with English subtitles. Mystical Brain (2007) addresses the question: Is it possible to shed light on the states of grace experienced by mystics and those who meditate? Raynauld shows us the most recent discoveries of scientific research on this phenomenon.

Saturday, February 13, 2010: Isabelle Raynauld presents scriptwriting for documentary and drama.
SAW Video, 67 Nicholas St. Ottawa, 11am-5pm. SAW Video Members: $40. Non-members: $50. This workshop is designed for scriptwriters, producers, and analysts reasonably comfortable working in French. Limited space – to reserve your place, call 613-238-7648 or email workshops@sawvideo.com.

Writing for the Documentary: This workshop focusses on the writing and analysis of documentary projects. It aims to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the written form of a documentary project. The workshop will allow you to take an active role in discussions, the formulation of questions and analysis of texts. This half-day of work is targetted equally to those working in the medium of documentaries (e.g., researchers, scriptwriters, producers) as to analysts of the medium.

Writing for dramatic shorts: This workshop focusses on the writing and analysis of short films. It aims to present writing strategies for dramatic shorts. Together, we will cover structure, characters, and points of vue. The workshop will allow you to take an active role in discussions, the formulation of questions and analysis of texts. This half-day of work is targetted equally to scriptwriters and producers.

Full details at www.sawvideo.com

Photo: Still from Mystical Brain, Isabelle Raynauld, courtesy NFB.