WGA sends four to Paris program

Frank Pierson, Jeremy Leven among group

By ELSA KESLASSY

PARIS -- The WGA has tapped four U.S. scripters to participate in Autumn Stories, a six-week residence program in France set up by the Franco-American Cultural Fund and the Ile de France Film Commission.

Janet Dulin Jones ("What If God Were the Sun"), Kasi Lemmons ("Eve's Bayou"), Jeremy Leven ("My Sister's Keeper") and Frank Pierson ("Dog Day Afternoon") will stay at the Abbaye de Royaumont, North of Paris, to finalize their most recent scripts -- which are all based in France.

The Franco-American Cultural Fund and the Ile de France Film Commission will set up meetings with potential French partners, including producers, directors and actors, and organize visits to locations described in their scripts.

"Our goal is to build bridges between the French and American film industries," said Alejandra Norambuena Skira, topper of the Franco-American Cultural Fund.

The four feature projects are:

• Dulin Jones' period drama "The Ambassadors," an adaptation of Henry James' novel set at the start of the 20th century.

• Lemmons' "Strangers in Paris," a romance that she will direct. Cotty Chubb is attached to produce.

• Leven's "Girl on a Bicycle." Leven plans on directing. Max Wiedemann and Quirin Berg, the producers behind "The Lives of Others"), are attached to produce and are seeking a French co-producer.

• Pierson's "Ratman of Paris," based on Paul West novel.

The residence's fourth edition will run Oct.1-Nov. 12.