Today we’d like to introduce you to AZ Yeamen.
Thanks for sharing your story with us AZ. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
If you can’t find it, create it.
That’s the basic principle of a great invention. Only it wasn’t a product I couldn’t find, it was a community.
Like most writers, my communication with the world has always begun in my head. I observe, I listen, and write, only then do I possess the aptitude to properly communicate with humans. So, I wrote from elementary through high school, in competitions, a local university newspaper, essays, and such. But, writing for a living typically won’t get the bills paid. So, off to life I went, putting silly passions aside.
Years later, a serendipitous encounter with an Atlanta producer and a hunch led me back to writing, this time scripts. I was hooked. Atlanta had not yet become the film hub it is today. While there were many avenues to commune for actors, the writers–especially scriptwriters–were nearly nonexistent. Community helps build skill, a network, accountability, and more importantly, relationships. All the things I needed to kick off my career were not in Atlanta.
So, I created it. Bridge 17 Scriptwriters’ Studio, founded in 2009, was born from necessity more than desire. I desired to embark on a paid career in writing. Alas, the industry’s pervasive red tape and nepotism seemed to keep edging writers out. Someone has to say “yes” to you, your idea, and your journey. Red tape has never worked on me. I’m an anarchist at heart, stubborn mule at best.
I didn’t envision a storefront space, a community, or the ability to establish a platform for emerging writers to sell scripts. I thought, “hey, I’m good at running a writer’s room.” I ran one successfully for years for producers; I was good at translating producer’s needs to writers in a way that was valuable to both sides and ultimately the project.
The Bridge 17 Writer’s Room evolved from there. The community dictated the growth, and I answered the call. My journey was a pull not a push. I could and have wanted to focus on ME and MY writing many, many times. But, then there’s an email, a scheduled call just to give thanks, notes that help a writer win a competition or give them the strength to show up for their own dreams.
Over the past few years, I have seen many more mediums opening up for scriptwriters, awards granted to some of the best in Atlanta, new Writer’s Rooms, and the focus has shifted to discovering new Georgia grown talent. I can’t help but think I’ve had a little something to do with that.
As long as writers need the Bridge; a space to grow their skills in a loving and kind manner. I’ll show up. The writers help validate my position in Atlanta’s scriptwriting community. I wake up to serve, so far, the journey has honored me with success.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’m not sure if smooth can exist for a model that never did. Bridge 17 is a community for writers, to learn, grow, and be compensated for their work. Emerging writers just don’t have this opportunity on an independent level. Many LA producers have approached us about the model, some believe it’s exciting and needed, while others say the model is just plain crazy. They’re both right. We’ve had to change locations four times in the past three years because the growth wasn’t anticipated. Each time I thought, this is where we need to be, perfect for the company we are – today. Tomorrow was the issue. I’ve struggled with pushing for my own dreams while helping to facilitate goals for others. Many times, someone on the staff will ask, have you written lately? Between managing a building, family, classes, writers… etc., somewhere far on the list comes the thing that keeps me sane – writing. Learning to say “no” for the sake of self-preservation while managing purpose is a formidable feat that I fight every day. The old adage is to reach back, pull up someone else. Well, I believe we all need to reach together.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Bridge 17 Scriptwriters’ Studio – what should we know?
Prediction: Bridge 17 will become one of the greatest purveyors of creative content for film, television, web series, and gaming. What we have is the perfect creative storm. More productions are filmed in Georgia than anywhere else in the U.S. When you couple that with the volume of creators now streaming into the market, you can’t help but have an explosion of great creative output. Bridge 17 exists to cultivate the writers who’ll be creating that content.
One of the things we do, and we do well, is to provide an entrée’ for writers to producers to help garner exposure and production possibilities for their creative output. But the output must meet high standards. Very high standards.
I have envisioned and implemented a cadre’ of rigorous writing courses for writers, regardless of their experience level to meet, and when and where possible, exceed those standards.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Every writer and producer that supports writers in Atlanta deserve credit for growth and creation of Bridge 17.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bridgeseventeen.com
- Phone: 404-963-6305
- Email: writers@bridgeseventeen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgeseventeen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridge17writers/
Image Credit:
Chris Mitchell
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