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Agent Panel
Agents Panel: Everything You Want To Ask An Agent Course Level: ADV-PRO
Course Description: Is it true that you can't get an agent until you sold something and you can't sell something until you get an agent? With all the films being made, somebody must have turned that belief on its head. Get the scoop from a panel of working Hollywood agents including Bob Hohman from Gersh and possibly others.
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Back to topManager Panel: Archetype, Code Entertainment, Madhouse Entertainment, Rain Management
Managers Panel: How (And Why) To Get A Manager Course Level: ADV-PRO
Course Description: Managers help you build your career, find an agent, and occasionally (shhh!) send scripts out to producers. Learn why and how an unknown writer benefits from having a manager and how to find one. So far, we expect managers from Archetype, Code Entertainment, and The Schiff Company in this panel.
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Producer Panel: Financing
Producer Panel: Financing Your Own Course Level: ADV-PRO
Course Description: Becoming a producer; self-financing; how to get past pleading for someone to buy your script. Panelists include Sunil Perkash.
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Bradley Gallo of Troika and a Gotham Group producer
Producer Panel: High-Concept Genres Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: What's hot in high-concept genres right now; how to get your high-concept film script seen.
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Alfred Gough and Miles Millar
Guests of Honor: Alfred Gough and Miles Millar Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Alfred Gough and Miles Millar will be interviewed by a Creative Screenwriting interviewer; audience will have an opportunity to ask questions.
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David Bartlett
Writing the Multiple Storyline Screenplay Course Level: PRO
Course Description: For experienced writers who want to go to the master level. Breaks down the simple steps necessary to writing a screenplay with multiple storylines and several main protagonists. This gives you the tools to turn the process of multiple storyline writing from being complex and potentially daunting to being comprehendible and doable. Attendess should see Crash Magnolia Boogie Nights and Pulp Fiction before you come. Handout Included.
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The 12 Step Program to Debugging Your Screenplay--Why It Won't Sell Course Level: PRO
Course Description: Focuses on giving screenwriters workable tools they can use to debug problems in their screenplays. Details steps which find problem areas that are not always easy to see. This is not a theoretical dissertation but an actual program that can be followed to debug any screenplay that is not selling or not finished. Handout Included.
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Erik Bork
Finding and Writing the 'Story' in True Stories Course Level: ADV-PRO
Course Description: Every successful story needs to be a coherent emotional journey from beginning to end, whether it really happened or not. He will discuss what he has learned about identifying a good true story, mining and assembling its dramatic elements, and how and when to fictionalize.
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Pitching: Creating and Pitching Series Ideas for Television Course Level: ADV-PRO
Course Description: Just like in features, concept is king in TV development, and the criteria for what makes an idea workable (fresh, compelling, and real) are very specific. Erik Bork will detail what he has learned from experience presenting dozens of ideas to networks, studios, producers, and his own agents at CAA.
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Throwing rocks at your main character: how to keep a story moving forward Course Level: ADV-PRO
Course Description: All great scripts are about problems that desperately need to be solved. Learn the keys to getting a reader emotionally invested in what your characters want and can’t have – and how to build that investment as the things they try to fix get worse and worse.
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Kevin McGahey Brian Avery and Bradley Miles
Independent Film Panel: from Development to Financing
Course Description: This is a 'don't-miss' panel in which creative Execs from Pantheon (Conviction), Whitewater (Kabluey) and The Yari Film Group (Crash) will discuss the ins and outs of independent filmmaking from development to financing.
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Jim Cirile
Agents Hot Sheet Live: What Is Hot In Hollywood Course Level: ADV-PRO
Course Description: JIM CIRILE, president of Coverage, Ink, produced screenwriter, and 'Agents Hot Sheet' columnist for Creative Screenwriting Magazine, will hold a live Agents Hot Sheet session with working agents. Come and hear their take on what is selling, how to get your script read, how to find an agent, and any other question you want to toss their way, time permitting.
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Jane Conners
Finding the Right Medium (or Media) for Your Idea Course Level: PRO
Course Description: Know your audience! That's the mantra of writers in all media. It's critically important for those who create entertainment vehicles -- before you write anything. Learn how to map marketability and fix your project's exploitation potential before you invest years in development.
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Your Financing Package Course Level: PRO
Course Description: This is a detailed discussion of what you absolutely must include and the process you must follow to gain private equity and or private debt financing for a project budgeting under $5M including a discussion of tax credits and using crowdfunding to bootstrap development.
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Christine Conradt
Writing the Low- and Micro-Budget Feature Course Level: ADV-PRO
Course Description: Most movies that get made today aren’t multi-million dollar studio gems. Low budget films are more likely to get made because they pose less of a financial risk to investors and producers. You may write a terrific screenplay, but if a producer can’t afford to make it, you’ll never see it on the screen. Learn valuable tips from Christine Conradt, a screenwriter with 30+ produced low budget films, on how to write a screenplay that’ll have producers opening their wallets instead of closing your script.
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How to Write the Mind-Blowing Sex Scene Course Level: ADV-PRO
Course Description: Sex scenes aren’t easy to write because their intimate nature exposes-- literally and figuratively—aspects of our characters and ourselves that we don’t let just anyone see. Well-written love scenes leap off the page while poorly-written ones just make you feel icky and uncomfortable. Learn to “do it” right in this seminar. Topics include how to write a sex scene that won’t make your actors feel exploited; creating foreplay with dialogue; exposing your characters’ flaws and goals through sex; and knowing when graphic is “too graphic.”
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Vampires, Zombies, and Ghosts: Writing Horror that Doesn’t Suck, Bite, or Fall Over Dead Course Level: ADV-PRO
Course Description: With horror writers flocking to Hollywood like flies to a corpse, how do you set your horror screenplay apart and make it, shall we say “fresh?” Simple. Make it original and very, very scary. Easier said than done, right? This seminar focuses on the key elements that gave successful horror films their razor-sharp edge and teaches you how to blend original ideas with traditional genre methodology.
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Dara Marks and Deb Norton
Engaging the Feminine Heroic Course Level: PRO
Course Description: This course uses mythic epics as a means of helping writers decode and utilize the archetypal human dramas that we all inescapably reenact. While most writers are familiar with the template of the hero’s journey, its counterpart, the feminine heroic, may be difficult to recognize (even for women). Whereas the essential goal of the hero’s journey is to discover, defend, declare and establish our Self in the world, the great achievement of the feminine quest is communion, connection and relatedness to the other in order to make meaning of our existence. Therefore, it isn’t grit or physical prowess that gives the feminine her heroic stature; it is her courageous ability to descend into the dark, forbidding places that lie within each of us in order to retrieve our essence, Strong stories aren’t masculine or feminine, they are a balance of both and this course will teach you how to add the feminine heroic to your writer’s palette.
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Barry DeVorzon
MasterWriter: Serious Tools For Serious Writers (Product Demonstration and Discussion) Course Level: PRO
Course Description: The unique reference dictionaries in the program are aimed at helping writers to open up a new world of possibilities for descriptive words and ideas. This session is a demonstration of how to use various reference dictionaries to get the most out of your writing, how to collect information and how to use the organizational features of MasterWriter.
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Neo Edmund
Comic Book Writing 101 Course Level: BEG-ADV
Course Description: For those interested in adapting a screenplay into a graphic novel, or want to break in as a comic book writer, it is essential to know how comics are scripted on the page. Neo Edmund will explain the basic rules of comic scripting, and demonstrate how it is done through a side-by-side comparison of a comic script and the final published book.
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Mark Fergus
Guest of Honor Session: Mark Fergus. Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Interview with Mark Fergus, CO-writer of 'Children of Men,' 'Iron Man,' and 'Cowboys and Aliens' . He will be interviewed by writer/actress Ruchika Mandyhan.
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Michael Ferris
How to Write Studio Quality Action Lines and Dialogue Course Level: ADV
Course Description: This is an in-depth, detailed, immediately actionable list of tips and tricks that anyone can understand and immediately put into play in their scripts to make them much better screenwriters and have their scripts read much more professionally.
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Robert Flaxman
Seducing the Studio Reader Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Learn the multiple techniques that will keep the reader in your 'created reality' throughout your script. Study the most common mistakes made by professional and advanced screenwriters.
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Stephen Foreman
Your Screenplay/Your Novel
Course Description: The session will discuss how to re-conceive your screenplay into that novel you've always wanted to write.
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Chad Gervich
TV Networking 101 Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Ready to sell your pitch to NBC? Think your spec will land you a job? Think again. Navigating a TV career requires an arsenal of personal contacts, and networking takes time to perfect. This seminar explores techniques to nurture relationships, networking do’s and don’t’s, and contacting big-wigs you haven’t met.
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8 Ways To Ruin Your TV Pitch Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Pitching, like writing, is a unique artform… yet many writers don't understand how it works. In fact, they stumble over the same eight easy-to-avoid obstacles… meaning they never sell an otherwise brilliant idea! This seminar helps you identify and avoid those obstacles… ensuring your next pitch is a slam-dunk!
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Getting Real About Reality: How To Design and Sell the Next Hit Reality Show Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Many people think reality shows are “made in the edit bay,” but most creative writing and producing happens BEFORE shooting. This seminar examines the required elements of reality storytelling, how to build them into your series before production, and how to sell your show to producers and networks.
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Dan Goldberg
Producer Panel Or Solo Interview: Comedy
Course Description: How do you break into writing comedies? How do you stay? What do you need to know? Learn all about the medium from comedy producer Dan Goldberg. He'll be interviewed by writer-actress Ruchika Mandyhan.
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Jen Grisanti
Gearing Up for TV Staffing And Development Season Course Level: ADV-PRO
Course Description: Learn the business of television and what it takes to get staffed and sell a pilot. The session will discuss their writing, what representatives look for when signing new writers, how to network and how to take a successful meeting.
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How To Write An Original TV Pilot Script Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Jennifer will discuss all the components of what makes a pilot stand out. She will discuss several of the pilots that were picked up this year and she will break them down as a way to illustrate why they worked and how participants can learn from their structure and apply it to their writing.
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Zack Gutin
Getting Started With Final Draft 8 Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Learn the basics of Final Draft software and see why it has become the professional's choice and entertainment industry standard for scriptwriting. For over 20 years, professional writers have used Final Draft for its ease of use and formatting capabilities, which allow them to focus their energy on creativity and writing and not on strict formatting rules.
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Exhibit Hall Friday
Exhibit Hall Friday Hours Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Exhibitors offering demos and products for sale at discounts. Note: exhibitors may close booths before official daily closing time at their option.
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Exhibit Hall Saturday
Exhibit Hall Saturday Hours Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Exhibitors offering demos and products for sale at discounts. Note: exhibitors may close booths before official daily closing time at their option.
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Exhibit Hall Sunday
Exhibit Hall Sunday Hours Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Exhibitors offering demos and products for sale at discounts. Note: exhibitors may close booths before official daily closing time at their option.
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Chris Hammond
A Real Live Film Financier Tells Which Screenplays Sell And Why Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: If you want that screenplay sold, produced and up on screen you need to understand these 10 myths that keep success from your reach. What does a buyer need to hear? Why do bad movies get made? Who gets paid and in what order? Most movies are made based on business decisions. If you don’t know what a buyer thinks about, then the sale of your screenplay hinges on dumb luck. Chris Hammond, producer (Shade, The Takedown) and recognized authority on film finance and distribution, will bust through the top 10 myths about how a screenplay is sold and ultimately becomes a movie. Then he’ll empower you with the skills to beat the odds.
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Marilyn Horowitz
Writing Villain First Course Level: BEG-ADV
Course Description: In this accelerated seminar, you will learn to use the villain’s motivation to drive the plot and force the hero or heroine to become active. These advanced tips and tricks are used in Professor Horowitz’ international coaching practice that have inspired writers to produce and publish in record time.
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Writing Concept First Course Level: BEG-ADV
Course Description: In this accelerated seminar, Marilyn will show you how to assess whether or not the concept of your current or next project is both commercially viable, and true to the story you want to tell. By examining successful films in various genres, including romantic comedy and horror, you will learn why one film was successful, and another wasn’t. A successful concept is not a good story, it’s a good story shaped to to capture your audience’s interest by connecting to their deepest concerns and needs.
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Sell your Screenplay in 30 Days Using New and Tradtional media Course Level: BEG-ADV
Course Description: This is a crash course in marketing for writers. In class, they will begin to design a 30 day marketing plan to sell their screenplays using Social Media such Facebook and Twitter, as well as traditional methods. Professor Horowitz has been helping writers get published and produced for over 12 years.
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Kim Hudson
The Virgin Story – an alternative to the Hero Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: I remember the glorious moment I first learned of The Hero’s Journey. Seconds later I wanted to know the structure for a feminine story. Not a heroine but the Virgin. Learn the 13 beats of the Virgin’s journey to express her true nature, even against the wishes of her kingdom, and how they differ from the Hero’s. A Virgin: one who chooses her own values/sexuality/creativity; to be of intrinsic value as in a Virgin forest.
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The Virgin in Fairy Tales Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Fairy tales have ignited our imaginations for centuries. Little Red, Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and the Ugly Duckling capture the story of seeking to bring your authentic self to life. Explore how this core journey occurs in Black Swan, An Education, Glee, and many others. A Virgin: one who chooses her own values/sexuality/creativity; to be of intrinsic value as in a Virgin forest.
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Nat Mundel and Jesse Israel
Breaking in, Selling, and Building a Lasting Career Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: This is Session I of a three-session class titled ‘Making the Power Move from Amateur to Pro: 3-Session Master Class in Career Strategy .‘ Voyage Media’s description of the three-session class as a whole: ‘It’s harder than ever to break in to entertainment in a real way, but those that do reap richer rewards than ever. Sign up for Making the Power Move from Amateur to Pro now to find out how you can employ the right strategies to drive your career powerfully forward. Making the Power Move from Amateur to Pro offers Insider knowledge on the strategizing, selling, politicking, self-agenting, reputation-building, and other business skills you need to establish a paid, lasting career in the industry. Taught by the executives and producers of Voyage Media, a company that has helped writers, producers, and directors package, polish and pitch over 1,100 high-profile entertainment projects in film, TV, and branded entertainment, this series provides a fresh-from-the-field perspective on building a career in an exclusive, seemingly impermeable industry. It teaches you how to: Stop going it alone –choose supporters and delegate the way the pros do; Be your own agent – and use their best tricks to your advantage; build a reputation that will get you hired again and again; spot and avoid the common mistakes everyone seems to keep making. See screenwritingexpo.com/voyage.media.html for a full course description.
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Aaron Pope and Jim Cirile
Crowdfunding Your Film: A Success Story Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: The producers of the in-production feature film 'The Liberator,' starring Lou Ferrigno, set out to crowdund post-production. They will discuss pros and cons, and give their honest view of what it was like to crowfund. NOTE: TIME OF THIS SESSION IS TENTATIVE; PLEASE CHECK THE SCHEDULE, AS IT MAY BE MOVED TO SATURDAY.
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Timothy Dowling and Joe Nussbaum
Timothy Dowling and Joe Nussbaum Interviewed By Danny Manus Course Level: ADV-PRO
Course Description: A-List Comedy Combo: DANNY MANUS, CEO of No BullScript Consulting, moderates top screenwriters and best friends TIMOTHY DOWLING and JOE NUSSBAUM as they discuss how they broke in and how their friendship has helped them get to the top and stay there. They’ll also discuss their keys to writing comedy, writing for a specific demographic, creating a network for success, and much more! Timothy Dowling is the writer of the $100M+ grossing Adam Sandler/Jennifer Anniston hit ‘Just Go With It’, ‘Role Models’ and the upcoming ‘This Means War’ starring Reese Witherspoon and Chris Pine. Joe Nussbaum wrote and directed ‘George Lucas in Love,’ and has directed ‘American Pie: Naked Mile,’ ‘Sydney White,’ and Disney's ‘Prom,’ and wrote Black List script ‘Brad Cutter Ruined My Life’ and has written for numerous studios.
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Steve Kaplan
The Comic Premise Course Level: ADV
Course Description: What are the keys to writing a comedy that works? Why do some comedies work more successfully than others? This session will explore the heart of a comedy--its initial premise. The session will explore how to construct a great premise that has the potential to develope into the sharpest, funniest version of your comic idea.
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Steve Kaplan's Comedy Intensive--The Hidden Tools Course Level: ADV
Course Description: From the industry's top stars (Jack Black Nathan Lane Michael Patrick King etc.) to first time comedy writers producers directors and performers Steve Kaplan has worked with and developed the best. The proven and practical methods and principles contained in his famed Comedy Intensive course reveals the hidden tools and principles that help you understand comedy from the inside out: How do you write funny? How do you act funny? How do you direct funny? How do you be funny?
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Creating & Developing Your Comedy Screenplay Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Writing a spec script? Polishing up your romantic-comedy screenplay? Steve Kaplan is one of the industry's most sought-after expert when it comes to Comedy. Having taught at UCLA NYU and Yale and other top universities Steve created the HBO Workspace and the HBO New Writers Program. His famed class attracts people from around the country dedicated to learning and understanding the craft of comedy writing.
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Nat Mundel and Katy McCaffrey
Self-Agenting: Use their Strategies to Build Momentum Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: This is Session II of a three-session class titled ‘Making the Power Move from Amateur to Pro: 3-Session Master Class in Career Strategy .‘ Voyage Media’s description of the three-session class as a whole: ‘It’s harder than ever to break in to entertainment in a real way, but those that do reap richer rewards than ever. Sign up for Making the Power Move from Amateur to Pro now to find out how you can employ the right strategies to drive your career powerfully forward. Making the Power Move from Amateur to Pro offers Insider knowledge on the strategizing, selling, politicking, self-agenting, reputation-building, and other business skills you need to establish a paid, lasting career in the industry. Taught by the executives and producers of Voyage Media, a company that has helped writers, producers, and directors package, polish and pitch over 1,100 high-profile entertainment projects in film, TV, and branded entertainment, this series provides a fresh-from-the-field perspective on building a career in an exclusive, seemingly impermeable industry. It teaches you how to: Stop going it alone –choose supporters and delegate the way the pros do; Be your own agent – and use their best tricks to your advantage; build a reputation that will get you hired again and again; spot and avoid the common mistakes everyone seems to keep making. See screenwritingexpo.com/voyage.media.html for a full course description.
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Barbara Randall Kesel
Comic Book Graphic Novel Screenwriting 101 Course Level: All Levels
Course Description: Join comic-book writer/editor Barbara Randall Kesel (Watchmen/Hellboy/New Teen Titans, etc.) for a session on: *the nuts and bolts of writing for comics and graphic novels *how it differs from screenplay writing *how to adapt a screenplay or series idea into comics form *how to avoid the common mistakes new writers make.
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Joe LeFavi
The Graphic Novel is the Next Screenplay Course Level: BEG-ADV
Course Description: The world of graphic novels is an innovative creative outlet perfect for screenwriters eager to hone their craft and raise their visibility in the marketplace. We will educate attendees on the creative process and provide the skills necessary to share their stories with the world via this exciting visual medium.
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Bill Lundy
Conflict: The Secrets to Great Heroes & Villains Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Students will learn several key advanced techniques to creating compelling protagonists and antagonists that will attract actors and producers and make their scripts more interesting and sellable.
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Corey Mandell
Why Most People Fail At Screenwriting Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: What if most of what is being taught about screenwriting is wrong? What if most of the rules, paradigms and secrets widely touted in books, seminars and classes not only don't improve your chance of making it, but could actually sabotage it? This seminar explains the five main reasons most people fail at screenwriting and shares specific insights and hands-on tools writers can use for the best possible shot at success.
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Daniel Manus
The No B.S. Guide To Pitching And Pitchfests Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: This no-nonsense guide to pitchfests will cover: The Do's and Don'ts of pitchfests What you should and should not be pitching What execs are really looking for How to prepare for your pitch (everything before you sit down) What to include in your first minute Making the most out of 5 minutes How to make the Perfect Trailer Pitch The top 15 concepts execs have already heard The Magic One Sheet Horror stories and Success stories And I'll take and critique a few sample pitches!
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Loglines, Query Letters and One-Sheets Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: The information this class will teach is vital for any screenwriter at any level. The class will cover how to construct proper loglines, query letters and one-pagers, what to include and what not to include, the difference between loglines and taglines, what executives are looking for in each, and how to write ones that grab attention and sell! Writers should bring their loglines with them and we can rework and see how to improve each one.
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Breaking Into Hollywood Through Transmedia Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: A Geektacular panel about the newest way to break into Hollywood - transmedia! Panelists including Ben Jackendoff (Comic Book Sunday), Joe LeFavi (Quixotic Transmedia), Kevin Grevioux (Writer/Co-Creator of Underworld), Neo Edmund (writer/producer) and possibly other panelists will discuss how to launch your project and career thru different platforms and how to noticed by the comic/graphic novel publishing world.
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Dara Marks
Inside Story Part 1: Developing the Transformational Arc of Character Course Level: PRO
Course Description: In the process of developing plot and character, writers often lose track of what is important and meaningful. Understanding how to utilize the Transformational Arc greatly expands a writer’s ability to identify and stay focused on unifying principles that link plot and character to the thematic, emotional and even spiritual dimensions of a story.
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Inside Story Part 2: Building the Transformational Arc of Character Course Level: PRO
Course Description: Inside Story is an innovative approach to screenwriting that illuminates the inner journey of the character, enabling writers to build an internal structure that forms the Transformational Arc. Knowing how to utilize the power of the Arc will enhance your ability to move beyond traditional story structure and construct scripts that are more powerful, meaningful and marketable.
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Amin Matalqa
Interview with international award-winning screenwriter/director Amin Matalqa
Course Description: We will interview Amin Matalqa, director of an upcoming Disney film and writer-director of the multiple-award-winning Captain Abu Raed (Jordan's first entry ever into the Oscars, and a 2008 Sundance winner), about writing, about breaking in and keeping a career going, and about what these arts of screenwriting and filmmaking are really all about: depicting the human condition--while not failing to entertain and hold an audience.
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Billy Mernit
Writing The Marketable Romantic Comedy Course Level: ADV
Course Description: This information-packed seminar utilizing film clips and a Hollywood insider's pragmatic experience defines the essential components of a marketable romantic comedy. Learn how to create compelling leads who have real chemistry how to tweak the formula and how to develop genuinely passionate funny stories of substance that will speak to contemporary audiences.
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Writing Funny Love--Comedy Craft for the Contemporary Romantic Comedy Course Level: ADV
Course Description: The contemporary rom-com requires a fresh irreverent (and sometimes raunchy) comedic approach to the standard 'boy meets girl' formula. This seminar utilizing film clips and a Hollywood insider's pragmatic experience defines time-honored principles of comedy and shows you how to tweak and update them to satisfy the sensibility of today's audience.
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Ashley Meyers
Using technology to market your screenplay Course Level: ADV-PRO
Course Description: Learn how to use technology to sell your screenplay. Topics include: how to send out thousands of query letters in just a few minutes, how to easily build a database of producers who are looking for material, and much much more.
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Nat Mundel and Nance Rosen
Building a Name and Raising Your Profile To Get Noticed Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: This is Session III of a three-session class titled ‘Making the Power Move from Amateur to Pro: 3-Session Master Class in Career Strategy .‘ Voyage Media’s description of the three-session class as a whole: ‘It’s harder than ever to break in to entertainment in a real way, but those that do reap richer rewards than ever. Sign up for Making the Power Move from Amateur to Pro now to find out how you can employ the right strategies to drive your career powerfully forward. Making the Power Move from Amateur to Pro offers Insider knowledge on the strategizing, selling, politicking, self-agenting, reputation-building, and other business skills you need to establish a paid, lasting career in the industry. Taught by the executives and producers of Voyage Media, a company that has helped writers, producers, and directors package, polish and pitch over 1,100 high-profile entertainment projects in film, TV, and branded entertainment, this series provides a fresh-from-the-field perspective on building a career in an exclusive, seemingly impermeable industry. It teaches you how to: Stop going it alone –choose supporters and delegate the way the pros do; Be your own agent – and use their best tricks to your advantage; build a reputation that will get you hired again and again; spot and avoid the common mistakes everyone seems to keep making. See screenwritingexpo.com/voyage.media.html for a full course description.
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Joaquin F Palma
Emerging Writer-Director Joaquin F. Palma On Breaking In
Course Description: Independent filmmaker Joaquin F. Palma will talk about his personal experiences in getting noticed as an emerging writer/director. From query letters to the writers room, feature length spec writing to distribution deals; Joaquin will go over his experiences as well as open up to a Q&A session with attendees
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Joe Parker
Logline: Software for the Well-Structured Screenplay
Course Description: An introduction to screenplay structure technique and a demo of how to structure your screenplay using the software Logline (sponsored session).
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Vlas and Charley Parlapanides
Guest of Honor Session: Vlas and Charley Parlapanides
Course Description: Interview with Vlas and Charley Parlapanides, co-writers of 'Immortals,' directed by the visionary Tarsem Singh.
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Jim Pasternak
Directing--Preparing the Dramatic Workbook Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: How to read analyze and prepare a screenplay for the rehearsal of actors and direction of the crew. How to shift from literary thinking to dramatic thinking. How events dictate creative choices. (It is recommended that screenwriters who want to direct attend all six of Jim's classes as Jim has been known to spontaneously integrate material from one session into another.)
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Directing--Visualization & Staging the Deep Focus Master Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: How to create storyboards and blocking diagrams. How to stage and shoot a scene in one shot in the style of Orson Wells and William Wyler. (It is recommended that screenwriters who want to direct attend all six of Jim's classes as Jim has been known to spontaneously integrate material from one session into another.)
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Directing--Lenses Moving Camera & Subjective Point of View Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: How to see through lenses; how and when to move the camera; how and when to experience the scene from a character's direct point of view. (It is recommended that screenwriters who want to direct attend all six of Jim's classes as Jim has been known to spontaneously integrate material from one session into another.)
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Directing--Collaboration & Rehearsal Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: How to collaborate and achieve optimum performance from your crew and actors. (It is recommended that screenwriters who want to direct attend all six of Jim's classes as Jim has been known to spontaneously integrate material from one session into another.)
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Directing--Collaborating with an Editor Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Continuity cutting to create a powerful dream-like experience for the audience. Concepts important to a director's understanding of editing and collaborating with the editor. (It is recommended that screenwriters who want to direct attend all six of Jim's classes as Jim has been known to spontaneously integrate material from one session into another.)
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Directing--Light & Metaphor Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: How to see light and how to find visual and auditory metaphors for your films. (It is recommended that screenwriters who want to direct attend all six of Jim's classes as Jim has been known to spontaneously integrate material from one session into another.)
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The Golden Pitch Fest Friday
The Golden Pitch Screenplay Pitch Fest Friday Afternoon Session Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Why Pitch? Industry Access. Without an agent or legal representation, screenwriters almost never get the opportunity to bring their ideas to the people who can help their script evolve into a film. Don’t miss this opportunity to pitch directly to an industry executive with the power to turn your dream into a reality. In one room, up to 50+ representatives of Hollywood’s A-list producers, development executives, agencies and management companies at a time will be looking for new material. No other event will offer writers better access to the people and companies capable of setting your writing career in motion. We’ve provided the venue, all you need to do is bring your best ideas and polished pitches — this is your chance to gain representation, sell your idea and make career-changing contacts. Who? Representatives from the top names in the industry, including studio, network and cable development production companies as well as reps from writers' agencies managers. Each of our executives is with an organization which has a studio deal and/or has produced several major motion pictures, television shows Movies-of-the-Week, or New Media or Web productions. Executives seeking features of all budgets, MOWs, as well as hour and half-hour television formats, New Media, and Web producers will be hearing pitches. The execs are from the top companies representing elite screenwriting talent. NOTE: ignore the message in some program pages that you do not need to buy tickets for this session with a Gold Pass. An offshore programmer wrote that into the PHP program code, and we don't have time before the Expo to get it out. You DO need to buy a ticket for each pitch.
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The Golden Pitch Fest Sat AM
The Golden Pitch Screenplay Pitch Fest Saturday Morning Session Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Why Pitch? Industry Access. Without an agent or legal representation, screenwriters almost never get the opportunity to bring their ideas to the people who can help their script evolve into a film. Don’t miss this opportunity to pitch directly to an industry executive with the power to turn your dream into a reality. In one room, up to 50+ representatives of Hollywood’s A-list producers, development executives, agencies and management companies at a time will be looking for new material. No other event will offer writers better access to the people and companies capable of setting your writing career in motion. We’ve provided the venue, all you need to do is bring your best ideas and polished pitches — this is your chance to gain representation, sell your idea and make career-changing contacts. Who? Representatives from the top names in the industry, including studio, network and cable development production companies as well as reps from writers' agencies managers. Each of our executives is with an organization which has a studio deal and/or has produced several major motion pictures, television shows Movies-of-the-Week, or New Media or Web productions. Executives seeking features of all budgets, MOWs, as well as hour and half-hour television formats, New Media, and Web producers will be hearing pitches. The execs are from the top companies representing elite screenwriting talent. NOTE: ignore the message in some program pages that you do not need to buy tickets for this session with a Gold Pass. An offshore programmer wrote that into the PHP program code, and we don't have time before the Expo to get it out. You DO need to buy a ticket for each pitch.
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The Golden Pitch Fest Sat PM
The Golden Pitch Screenplay Pitch Fest Saturday Afternoon Session Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Why Pitch? Industry Access. Without an agent or legal representation, screenwriters almost never get the opportunity to bring their ideas to the people who can help their script evolve into a film. Don’t miss this opportunity to pitch directly to an industry executive with the power to turn your dream into a reality. In one room, up to 50+ representatives of Hollywood’s A-list producers, development executives, agencies and management companies at a time will be looking for new material. No other event will offer writers better access to the people and companies capable of setting your writing career in motion. We’ve provided the venue, all you need to do is bring your best ideas and polished pitches — this is your chance to gain representation, sell your idea and make career-changing contacts. Who? Representatives from the top names in the industry, including studio, network and cable development production companies as well as reps from writers' agencies managers. Each of our executives is with an organization which has a studio deal and/or has produced several major motion pictures, television shows Movies-of-the-Week, or New Media or Web productions. Executives seeking features of all budgets, MOWs, as well as hour and half-hour television formats, New Media, and Web producers will be hearing pitches. The execs are from the top companies representing elite screenwriting talent. NOTE: ignore the message in some program pages that you do not need to buy tickets for this session with a Gold Pass. An offshore programmer wrote that into the PHP program code, and we don't have time before the Expo to get it out. You DO need to buy a ticket for each pitch.
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The Golden Pitch Fest Sun AM
The Golden Pitch Screenplay Pitch Fest Sunday Morning Session Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Why Pitch? Industry Access. Without an agent or legal representation, screenwriters almost never get the opportunity to bring their ideas to the people who can help their script evolve into a film. Don’t miss this opportunity to pitch directly to an industry executive with the power to turn your dream into a reality. In one room, up to 50+ representatives of Hollywood’s A-list producers, development executives, agencies and management companies at a time will be looking for new material. No other event will offer writers better access to the people and companies capable of setting your writing career in motion. We’ve provided the venue, all you need to do is bring your best ideas and polished pitches — this is your chance to gain representation, sell your idea and make career-changing contacts. Who? Representatives from the top names in the industry, including studio, network and cable development production companies as well as reps from writers' agencies managers. Each of our executives is with an organization which has a studio deal and/or has produced several major motion pictures, television shows Movies-of-the-Week, or New Media or Web productions. Executives seeking features of all budgets, MOWs, as well as hour and half-hour television formats, New Media, and Web producers will be hearing pitches. The execs are from the top companies representing elite screenwriting talent. NOTE: ignore the message in some program pages that you do not need to buy tickets for this session with a Gold Pass. An offshoren programmer wrote that into the PHP program code, and we don't have time before the Expo to get it out. You DO need to buy a ticket for each pitch.
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The Golden Pitch Fest Sun PM
The Golden Pitch Screenplay Pitch Fest Sunday Afternoon Session Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Why Pitch? Industry Access. Without an agent or legal representation, screenwriters almost never get the opportunity to bring their ideas to the people who can help their script evolve into a film. Don’t miss this opportunity to pitch directly to an industry executive with the power to turn your dream into a reality. In one room, up to 50+ representatives of Hollywood’s A-list producers, development executives, agencies and management companies at a time will be looking for new material. No other event will offer writers better access to the people and companies capable of setting your writing career in motion. We’ve provided the venue, all you need to do is bring your best ideas and polished pitches — this is your chance to gain representation, sell your idea and make career-changing contacts. Who? Representatives from the top names in the industry, including studio, network and cable development production companies as well as reps from writers' agencies managers. Each of our executives is with an organization which has a studio deal and/or has produced several major motion pictures, television shows Movies-of-the-Week, or New Media or Web productions. Executives seeking features of all budgets, MOWs, as well as hour and half-hour television formats, New Media, and Web producers will be hearing pitches. The execs are from the top companies representing elite screenwriting talent. NOTE: ignore the message in some program pages that you do not need to buy tickets for this session with a Gold Pass. An offshoren programmer wrote that into the PHP program code, adn we don't have time before the Expo to get it out. You DO need to buy a ticket for each pitch.
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Le'John and Lemuel Plummer
Breaking Into Reality TV: Two Screenwriters Tell How Course Level: ADV-PRO
Course Description: Writer brothers Le’John and Lemuel Plummer and their partner Jason Tolbert came up with a reality TV series. In this session, you can learn from Le’John and Lemuel Plummer how they sold the project to BET and got from concept to post-production. The 10-episode first season of the show is tentatively scheduled to be aired in the fourth quarter of 2011. The show, ‘Vindicated’ is a docu-drama reality series hosted by actor/rapper Common, that will take you on a journey with individuals who have been imprisoned over a long period of time, and then exonerated for the alleged crimes that imprisoned them. With many years lost and a life to rebuild, these exonerees re-join the world with hopes of better days. NOTE: This session has been merged with the Cat Santarosa/Dr. Mel Caudle reality TV session. Hear from both experienced pros and two of the newest reality TV producers in town in the same session!
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Producer Panel: Reality TV
Producer Panel: Reality TV Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Hear a panel of reality TV producers discuss what they look for, how to pitch them, how to break in. Panel members: Cat Santarosa of Entertainment Studios Inc. and Dr. Mel Caudle of On The Lot Productions. NOTE: This session has been merged with the Plummer brothers reality TV session. Hear from both these experienced pros and two of the newest reality TV producers in town!
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Friday Networking Reception
Creative Screenwriting Hosts A Screenwriter Networking Reception Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: A gathering and an entertainment…we're working on this event.
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Saturday Networking Reception
Creative Screenwriting Hosts A Screenwriter Networking Reception Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: A gathering and an entertainment…we're working on this event.
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Thursday Welcome Reception
Creative Screenwriting Hosts A Screenwriter Networking Reception Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Welcome Reception; Awards Announcements
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Screenwriting Expo Registration Day 1-Thursday
Registration, Ticket Sales, Information--Thursday Hours Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Welcome to the Screenwriting Expo! We are doing our best to make this meeting the most useful and valuable educational, networking, and pitch opportunity you find all year. Registration will open late in the afternoon of Oct. 15, and will be open each day of the Expo, beginning in the morning before sessions begin, and continuing through the day. Consult this schedule or the program for registration hours. At Expo registration, the windows for advance-purchased registration materials and tickets are a separate set of windows from those for purchasing on site, so be sure to read the signs before you get in line. Also, if you are buying a registration or tickets to sessions or receptions, please obtain the registration/ticket form before you get in line and fill out the name, address, and payment information before you reach the window. Forms of payment accepted: major credit cards and e-checks. To buy with an e-check, you will need to provide a voided actual, physical check, which we will keep as a record of the payment information.
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Screenwriting Expo Registration Day 2-Friday
Registration, Ticket Sales, Information--Friday Hours Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Welcome to the Screenwriting Expo! We are doing our best to make this meeting the most useful and valuable educational, networking, and pitch opportunity you find all year. Registration will open late in the afternoon of Oct. 15, and will be open each day of the Expo, beginning in the morning before sessions begin, and continuing through the day. Consult this schedule or the program for registration hours. At Expo registration, the windows for advance-purchased registration materials and tickets are a separate set of windows from those for purchasing on site, so be sure to read the signs before you get in line. Also, if you are buying a registration or tickets to sessions or receptions, please obtain the registration/ticket form before you get in line and fill out the name, address, and payment information before you reach the window. Forms of payment accepted: major credit cards and e-checks. To buy with an e-check, you will need to provide a voided actual, physical check, which we will keep as a record of the payment information.
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Screenwriting Expo Registration Day 3-Saturday
Registration, Ticket Sales, Information--Saturday Hours Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Welcome to the Screenwriting Expo! We are doing our best to make this meeting the most useful and valuable educational, networking, and pitch opportunity you find all year. Registration will open late in the afternoon of Oct. 15, and will be open each day of the Expo, beginning in the morning before sessions begin, and continuing through the day. Consult this schedule or the program for registration hours. At Expo registration, the windows for advance-purchased registration materials and tickets are a separate set of windows from those for purchasing on site, so be sure to read the signs before you get in line. Also, if you are buying a registration or tickets to sessions or receptions, please obtain the registration/ticket form before you get in line and fill out the name, address, and payment information before you reach the window. Forms of payment accepted: major credit cards and e-checks. To buy with an e-check, you will need to provide a voided actual, physical check, which we will keep as a record of the payment information.
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Screenwriting Expo Registration Day 4-Sunday
Registration, Ticket Sales, Information--Sunday Hours Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Welcome to the Screenwriting Expo! We are doing our best to make this meeting the most useful and valuable educational, networking, and pitch opportunity you find all year. Registration will open late in the afternoon of Oct. 15, and will be open each day of the Expo, beginning in the morning before sessions begin, and continuing through the day. Consult this schedule or the program for registration hours. At Expo registration, the windows for advance-purchased registration materials and tickets are a separate set of windows from those for purchasing on site, so be sure to read the signs before you get in line. Also, if you are buying a registration or tickets to sessions or receptions, please obtain the registration/ticket form before you get in line and fill out the name, address, and payment information before you reach the window. Forms of payment accepted: major credit cards and e-checks. To buy with an e-check, you will need to provide a voided actual, physical check, which we will keep as a record of the payment information.
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Ben Ripley
Guest of Honor Session: Ben Ripley Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Interview with Ben Ripley; actress-screenwriter Ruchika Mandyhan is scheduled to do the interview.
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Shane Salerno
Guest of Honor: Shane Salerno Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Shane Salerno, acclaimed feature film and television writer and executive producer, will be interviewed by former Creative Screenwriting Magazine Editor Den Shewman; audience will have an opportunity to ask questions.
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Pitch Boot Camp Scriptwriters Network
Pitching: Pre-Expo Pitch Boot Camp 1 10 AM Run By The Scriptwriters Network (Separate $19.95 Admission) Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: LIMITED TO 60 REGISTRANTS; SEPARATE ADMISSION REQUIRED. This is separate event is not covered by a Gold Pass. The Pitch Boot Camp is a special event held before the Screenwriting Expo, run by the Scriptwriters Network,scriptwritersnetwork.org. The Pitch Boot Camp is designed to drill perspective screenwriters into delivering professional, concise and interesting pitches comfortably and sincerely to anyone at any time in any place under any conditions. The goal is to prepare screenwriters for participation at any pitching or networking event. The Pitch Boot Camp structure will mirror that of the Golden Pitch event itself, and thus potentially increase the effectiveness of the screenwriter's pitch. Tables will be set up just like the Golden Pitch, attended by ‘company reps’ (mock production companies, agents, managers and studio development executives). Each participant will pitch at each table for five minutes and switch roles to act as a ‘company reps’ to hear five-minute pitches from the other participating writers. Company reps will mark a simple checkbox score card on the major pitching points to help the pitcher to gauge how thoroughly they are communicating their project. Participants must have their material copyright protected and a prepared pitch. Some Pitching Resources: Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds; The Script Selling Game; Ten Minutes To The Pitch. LIMITED TO: 30 REGISTRANTS; SEPARATE ADMISSION REQUIRED. You must click the 'Buy' link to sign up. (The price will be zero; this is the only way to reserve a seat.)
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Pitching: Pre-Expo Pitch Boot Camp 2 1 PM Run By The Scriptwriters Network (Separate $19.95 Admission) Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: LIMITED TO 60 REGISTRANTS; SEPARATE ADMISSION REQUIRED. This is separate event is not covered by a Gold Pass. The Pitch Boot Camp is a special event held before the Screenwriting Expo, run by the Scriptwriters Network,scriptwritersnetwork.org. The Pitch Boot Camp is designed to drill perspective screenwriters into delivering professional, concise and interesting pitches comfortably and sincerely to anyone at any time in any place under any conditions. The goal is to prepare screenwriters for participation at any pitching or networking event. The Pitch Boot Camp structure will mirror that of the Golden Pitch event itself, and thus potentially increase the effectiveness of the screenwriter's pitch. Tables will be set up just like the Golden Pitch, attended by ‘company reps’ (mock production companies, agents, managers and studio development executives). Each participant will pitch at each table for five minutes and switch roles to act as a ‘company reps’ to hear five-minute pitches from the other participating writers. Company reps will mark a simple checkbox score card on the major pitching points to help the pitcher to gauge how thoroughly they are communicating their project. Participants must have their material copyright protected and a prepared pitch. Some Pitching Resources: Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds; The Script Selling Game; Ten Minutes To The Pitch. LIMITED TO: 30 REGISTRANTS; SEPARATE ADMISSION REQUIRED. You must click the 'Buy' link to sign up. (The price will be zero; this is the only way to reserve a seat.)
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Pitching: Pre-Expo Pitch Boot Camp 3 4 PM Run By The Scriptwriters Network (Separate $19.95 Admission) Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: LIMITED TO 60 REGISTRANTS; SEPARATE ADMISSION REQUIRED. This is separate event is not covered by a Gold Pass. The Pitch Boot Camp is a special event held before the Screenwriting Expo, run by the Scriptwriters Network,scriptwritersnetwork.org. The Pitch Boot Camp is designed to drill perspective screenwriters into delivering professional, concise and interesting pitches comfortably and sincerely to anyone at any time in any place under any conditions. The goal is to prepare screenwriters for participation at any pitching or networking event. The Pitch Boot Camp structure will mirror that of the Golden Pitch event itself, and thus potentially increase the effectiveness of the screenwriter's pitch. Tables will be set up just like the Golden Pitch, attended by ‘company reps’ (mock production companies, agents, managers and studio development executives). Each participant will pitch at each table for five minutes and switch roles to act as a ‘company reps’ to hear five-minute pitches from the other participating writers. Company reps will mark a simple checkbox score card on the major pitching points to help the pitcher to gauge how thoroughly they are communicating their project. Participants must have their material copyright protected and a prepared pitch. Some Pitching Resources: Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds; The Script Selling Game; Ten Minutes To The Pitch. LIMITED TO: 30 REGISTRANTS; SEPARATE ADMISSION REQUIRED. You must click the 'Buy' link to sign up. (The price will be zero; this is the only way to reserve a seat.)
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Gary Shusett
Sherwood Oaks College Class: Pitch Repair With Gary Shusett Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Here is how this unique class works: you speak your pitch, and instructor Gary Shusett will give an improved version back to in 1-3 minutes – or more time if there are few registrants in the class. He will then spend some time explaining why his approach to pitching, and how you can use this approach for other pitches. This class works best with no more than 20 students, so if it fills up, we will ask Gary to give it again later. Why this class? Gary Shusett is widely known in Hollywood for being able to hear a pitch and tell you how to repair it in one to three minutes. We have invited him to hold a special pre-Expo Pitch Repair Class to complement the pre-Expo Pitch Boot Camp being held by the Scriptwriters Network. We’ve timed this class so that you can attend both and perfect your pitches. Because this pre-Expo session is a Sherwood Oaks College event, not part of the Expo per so, a $10 fee is required of all registrants, including Gold Pass registrants. All fees for this class go to support Sherwood Oaks Experimental College. Sign up by logging into your Expo registration and click to add this special class. You can come late or leave early, but part of the value is in listening to his suggestions to other students.
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Agents And Managers Panel Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Panelists will include BRUCE BARTLETT, Agent, Above the Line who is UCLA MBA and sold films with budgets from 3 – 200 million dollars; TODD KOERNER, Agent for E-merge Media focusing on new media. Todd is a literary agent since 1993, representing writers and directors in television, film, stage and publishing; and CHRIS SHENG of Red Baron Entertainment focusing on management of writers. Enrollees should bring typed short logline to class for feeback.
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How To Turn A Good Logline Into A Great One Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Instructor Gary Shusett once convinced a major film director over the phone to make a film by saying just two sentences. He has a rare ability to take anyone's logLine and make it sound very marketable. He will do this instantly for anyone in the class. He will work very quckly. You can leave very soon or come in late.
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Evan Smith
Comedy Writing--Making It Funny From the Ground Up Course Level: ADV
Course Description: This seminar will present Evan Smith's acclaimed method for creating 'premise-driven comedy ' an organic approach that focuses on developing a story's humor from the ground up. Attendees will learn how to weave comedic elements into a story premise to automatically generate funny scenes and seamless jokes throughout a script.
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Chris Soth
Pitching: Pitch Catch Pitch with Chris Soth Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Hear your story pitched back to you by a professional screenwriter/pitchman! Here’s how it works: 1) Come to the lecture and pitch your story to Chris Soth, WGA member and star of the DVD SOLD! “How I set up 3 pitches in Hollywood!” 2) Chris pitches your story back to you, putting in the professional polish that you’re looking for! 3) With your pitch perfected, you take Hollywood by storm on Saturday and Sunday!
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Bryan Michael Stoller
Writing and Producing Your Own Movie
Course Description: He will discuss how to write and produce your own movies. With today’s advanced HD technology, actors and anyone who wants to be a filmmaker can now write and shoot a movie and edit it on a desktop computer
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Creative Screenwriting and The Screenwriting Expo
Contest Winner Awards Dinner (Invitation Only)
Course Description: Dinner and awards ceremony for contest winners. This event is by invitation only.
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Bill Donovan and The Screenwriting Expo Staff
Screenwriting Expo Closing Ceremony
Course Description: Because our Sunday Guests of Honor needed to come at 4 p.m., the closing ceremony will be brief, and will immediately follow that Guest of Honor session. In addition, the giveaways and thank-you gifts that normally were included in the closing ceremony in the past will be offered throughout the Expo in the exhibit hall/registrant lounge in Grand Ballroom A and B. Join us daily in the ballroom for raffles to be announced.
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Producer Panel: TV Series
Producer Panel: TV Careers Course Level: ADV-PRO
Course Description: How do you break into television? How do you stay? What do you need to know? Learn all about the medium from this panel of TV producers. The panelists include Barnet Kellman, James C. Hart, and Marlene King.
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Charlie Vignola
A Dialogue with Guest of Honor Charlie Vignola, Bruckheimer Director of Development Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Here is your chance to talk to a major-league Hollywood director of development -- who is also a screenwriter. Den Shewman, former editor of Creative Screenwriting, will interview Charlie Vignola and throw the session open for audience questions. Do you want to find out how to make it? First, read his biolgraphy. Then, come and ask your questions.
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Richard Walter
Three Essential Principles for Creating Worthy Characters Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Character and story are not separate enterprises but two sides of the same coin. This presentation addresses some of the most common errors writers make regarding character issues. It offers insights into principles guaranteed to support the creation of memorable worthy fleshy characters that are essential to the success of any worthy screenplay.
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Talk is Cheap: Thirteen Principles for Dialogue Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Screenwriters should wield dialogue as merely another kind of action. Because it's poetic, punchy, peppy, funny and sad it should be worth listening to all by itself. But it can't be all by itself. It also has to advance story and expand character. Here is a baker's dozen prinicples designed to tighten, sweeten, and integrate dialogue so that it is a seamless aspect of screen narrative.
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Action and Setting--Little Things Mean a Lot Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Obviously movies are the best medium for compacting and compressing huge events--for example an ocean liner crashing into an iceberg, the D-Day invasion of Normandy Beach, an outsized gorilla mounting the Empire State Building--but what they accomplish still more effectively is quite the opposite, rendering that which is small--the gesture, the facial expression, even the mere offer of a cup of coffee--into something that is hugely dramatic and emotional. This session provides time-tested techniques for mastering that aspect of the screenplay.
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Seven Principles Guaranteed to Make You a Bitter Writer. (Yes, Bitter -- Not Better.) Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Avoid missteps by knowing what they are. This class explores seven fatal screenwriting flaws, career destroyers certain to abort screenwriting careers even before they begin.
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Victoria Westcott
Crowdfunding Your Film Course Level: PRO
Course Description: This will be a hands-on, interactive workshop to help fellow filmmakers learn the ropes of crowdfunding from the first idea to the final two minutes. The panelists are successful crowdfunders who will focus on the lessons they learned in their crowdfunding campaigns, and will use examples from other recently successful campaigns. As a group, we will examine what works, what doesn't, and what we can do for our own projects. Victoria Westcott will teach this session with fellow panelists Marty Lang and Lucas McNelly.
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Kurt Wimmer
Guest of Honor Session: Kurt Wimmer Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Interview with Kurt Wimmer by Den Shewman
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Victoria Wisdom
Pitching: How to Pitch Your Screenplay for a Sale Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Learn how to master the most challenging skill of a screenwriter's career: how to pitch a story that sells. Concise storytelling helps not only a completed script but is the key building block in weaving a compelling plot. Your livelihood in the film industry depends on the presentation of your ideas in a short but entertaining way. Walking through plot points will not stimulate your buyer to believe you can capture the tone of an amusing thrilling or dramatic story. Learn how to be a storyteller.
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How to Find the Right Buyer for Your Project Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Whether Indie Mini-major or Major every buyer is looking to make a great film. What is it about your material that identifies it for a particular market? Who are the approachable buyers in each of the marketplaces? How does one get taken seriously by the right buyer for your script? Once you have identified the right buyer how do you go about getting it read? How do you target content for marketing your spec script? What are the industry tips for finding out who's looking for your script right now?
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How to Sell a Spec Script Course Level: ADV
Course Description: So you wrote a screenplay… what's next? Learn how to get an agent manager producer and a deal. Understand how to write scripts competitively for the studios target trends and choose commercial subjects. Learn how to collaborate and develop your material with development execs producers and financiers how to have a meeting with a studio executive that can hire you how to find and what to look for in your relationships with directors and actors. Most importantly how to create longevity in a career that begins with the first sale.
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Ashley Miller and Zack Stenz
Guests of Honor: Ashley Miller and Zack Stenz Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Ashley Miller & Zack Stentz will be interviewed by a Creative Screenwriting interviewer; audience will have an opportunity to ask questions.
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Larry Zerner
Legal Tips Every Screenwriter Should Know to Make Money and Avoid Getting Ripped Off Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: A great overview on legal issues for the screenwriter. The class will cover such topics as 'What should and shouldn't be in an option agreement 'The ins and outs of copyright registration.'How do I avoid being sued for libel' How can I buy someone's life story rights'Do I need a collaboration agreement with my writing partner'Can I use the name of real products in my script' and 'How do I keep producers from ripping me off.
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Terri Zinner
Screenwriting Begins with the the Very First Word Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Grab the reader with your very first words and learn why this is so important from a story executive. Find out how you can introduce your plot and character to keep the reader engaged.
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The Mind of a Story Consultant When Reading Your Screenplay: Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: inside look at how an executive at a management company reviews your log lines, analyzes your screenplay and helps develop your script to get it ready for the market.
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Story Coverage and The Don't Do List Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Inside information from a story analyst on what not to do in your screenplay. Find out about the do not do list from a story development executive who has created a unique list of please don't do this.
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