Be it through features, network television, premium channels, streaming original networks such as Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Studios, or even self-produced YouTube or Vimeo videos, today’s screenwriters have more opportunities than ever to get their work in front of audiences. The movies and shows that catapult careers, however, those whose whole remain greater than the sum of their parts, are built upon bedrock on which every good story is anchored. This workshop will focus on writing the commercially viable script that accomplishes a long-term objective of becoming a professional screenwriter; or at least a screenwriter who’s not instantly recognized as not knowing what s/he’s doing.
Whether you’ve written a few scripts or are new to the game, this track is for you. In it, we’ll focus intensely on the things most film school courses, convention panels and coffee house gatherings don’t get at: the actual tricks of the trade; the cheats, sneaks and world view that working screenwriters–those of us who get paid to write scripts–turn to when crafting material for the screen.
Screenwriting from Scratch: Why, What, How sessions include:
- Objective-oriented Storytelling
- Slugs and Setting
- Action Elements and Arenas
- Characters and Conversation
- Scenes and Transitions
- Implied Camera Direction
- Troubleshooting, Critiquing & The Rewrite
- Marketing, Making & Getting Work
Staffed by Michael Steven Gregory
As president of Random Cove, ie., Michael is an award-winning filmmaker and screenwriter whose work includes the unmusical comedy Redemption Max, limited-run series Gang Nation: Kali4nia with Anton Diether of TBS’ Moby Dick (Wolper Company), historical drama ‘Long Came Charlie (Dustin Hoffman’s Punch Prods.), and, with Anna Gilson, the romantic comedies Valentine Carol (Lifetime) and Wish (Pendle View), as well their ensemble drama Armageddon Jones (Mnemosyne Pictures). He has written shows for HBO, Fox, UPN and others, is attached as a director or producer on several more, including the documentary Border Badge: Crossing the Line, and reality series Spooks, and has been involved in the production of over 150 short films.
In the videogame arena, he’s been hired to troubleshoot game design, with particular emphasis on cutscenes and narrative cohesion. Titles he’s worked on span Dragon Tales, with Terry Jones of Monty Python fame, to snowboarding’s Amped 3 and 2K Sports’ Don King Presents: Prizefigher, for which he created the groundbreaking “documentary-style boxing extravaganza” story structure lauded by teamxbox.com and others.
Additionally, Michael ran the American Academy of Arts’ Indie Filmmaker’s Bootcamp program for 10 years, and was the University of California San Diego Extension’s screenwriting instructor for 12. Now in its 32nd year, he is also executive director of the Southern California Writers’ Conference, which has facilitated over $4 million in first-time author book and screen deals.
