Writer, Just Like You Imagined? (2001-2002 Miami Winner)

"This film has been an unforgettable growing experience for me, as a person and as a filmmaker. At my age, it is rare that anyone has had the privilege to be part of a project as meaningful as this. I truly value my glimpse into the life of a filmmaker and hope that I can hold onto that creative power once again in an attempt to provoke emotion and change in the world."

- Verena Faden

I was born and raised in Miami, Fl, and have lived under the same roof my entire life. I'm of half Cuban and half American decent, which has created a different cultural identity for me all together.

I have always loved writing and in the Fall of 2002, my drama teacher encouraged me to enter my first short screen play to Scenarios USA's What’s the REAL Deal? contest. I was working on a play at the time, but saw the contest as an exciting opportunity. The script had to discuss how teens today really feel about sex. Teenagers are never given a voice, especially not on the subject of sex. For me, the script had to be modern, fast, choppy and in the style of film today; and that it also had to deal with a variety of angles and ways people practice sex.

A month after I finished the script, I was informed that I had won the contest. It was one of the happiest moments of my life and it changed everything forever. I went from being an anonymous person in the halls to a filmmaker. I co-wrote and revised the script to be ready to shoot; worked along side David Frankel and other professionals; did several interviews; got a free trip to NYC, had my own day appointed to me by Mayor Raul Martinez; and got to be part of every step of the movie making process. Scenarios USA took a small town girl with a whole lotta dreams and not a whole lot of confidence and made her realize that what you want is achievable. It was also excellent to be a part of an organization that helps a social cause.

Recent Updates: Verena is attending School of Visual Arts in New York City. She received a partial scholarship based on her involvement with Scenarios USA. Verena plans to become a writer/director and someday teach middle school English with a style that is more exciting than in a typical classroom setting. Verena enjoys dancing, writing, reading, watching films, going to the beach and listening to music.

Comments: I enjoy and encourage any feedback on Just Like You Imagined? and don’t mind if you email me with your thoughts. (Send Comments to mail@scenariosusa.org.)

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