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Opening Night Networking Party - A Night of Magic With Top Magicians From the Famed Magic Castle Course Level: ALL
Course Description: This Networking Party, exclusively for 2007 Expo attendees, is your chance to meet and network with agents, managers, and development executives, including some of Hollywood's power players. This premium event will be located at the Marriott Hotel. Thursday, October 25th at 8 p.m. (check your program to reconfirm the exact time). Tickets are $25, only 500 available.
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Screenwriting Networking Party #1 - Night of Laughter Featuring Comedians From the Laugh Factory and the Improv Course Level: ALL
Course Description: During this busy weekend it won't be easy to find time to make connections. This event represents a huge opportunity to meet agents, development execs, Expo teachers, and other writers who can assist you in your career. This premium event will be located at the Marriott Hotel. Friday, October 26th at about 8 p.m. (check your program to reconfirm the exact time). Tickets are $25, only 500 available.
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Screenwriting Networking Party #2 Course Level: ALL
Course Description: During this busy weekend it won't be easy to find time to make connections. This event represents a huge opportunity to meet agents, development execs, Expo teachers, and other writers who can assist you in your career. This premium event will be located at the Marriott Hotel. Saturday, October 27th at 8 p.m. (check your program to reconfirm the exact time). Tickets are $25, only 500 available.
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Back to topGuest of Honor Luncheon Speaker
Closing Ceremony, Screenwriting Expo Winners, CS Open Finals Course Level: ALL
Course Description: At the closing ceremony, we'll announce the winners of the Screenwriting Expo Scriptwriting Competition. The audience will watch stagings of the CS Open scene finals and choose a winner. And we'll say, "That's a wrap."
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Scriptwriters Network
Scriptwriters Network Presents Road to the Oscar New Panel Course Level: ALL
Course Description: What does it take to write an Academy Award-worthy script? How does winning an Oscar or getting a nomination change your career? Find out from a panel of writers who've been through the Oscar experience as they talk about the evolution of their projects, what their "big night" was like, and what effect it had on their writing. Panelists include Jeff Arch ("Sleepless in Seattle") and the writing team of Alec Sokolow & Joel Cohen ("Toy Story"), with others to be announced. Moderated by screenwriter and Network Chairman Emeritus Bill Lundy.
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Hal Ackerman (Rated a star speaker in 2006)
Dancing With The Wadoogee: Writing Scenes That Crackle with Life
Course Description: You will come out of this seminar a changed writer. You will understand, at last, how to write scenes that sparkle with life. You will be given the litmus test for valuating what you've done and the means to remedy mistakes. Bring writing materials and a short finished scene you've written.
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Writing Exercises For The "Fit" Screenwriter
Course Description: Olympic athletes train their bodies to become the instrument of their art. Writers must develop our writing muscles. Take a 90 minute trip to the "Writers Gym." Learn some amazing exercises to build your scene writing and story structure Muscle Groups.
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Passion into Product: How To Turn Your Personal Stories Into Screenplays Course Level: 0
Course Description: Following the model of his UCLA screenwriting seminars that have produced such writers as Pamela Gray (A Walk on the Moon), Nicholas Griffin (Matchstick Men), and Sacha Gervasi (Terminal), Hal Ackerman, author of Write Screenplays that Sell!...The Ackerman Way will talk about writing what you love and making it saleable.
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The Semantics of Antics: Analysis of 5 Great Comedy Scenes Course Level: 0
Course Description: Looking at the laugh triggers of five classic comedy scenes. We will be screening scenes from Tootsie, Lost in America, Seinfeld, Fawlty
Towers, Mon Oncle (Jacques Tati) amidst discussion of others.
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Pilar Alessandra (Rated a star speaker in 2002-2006)
Pitch in a Minute Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Pitch quickly and avoid producer tune-out. This workshop uses a written template to help writers define the key elements of their screenplay, and by doing so, pitch their script in a brief, concise, and entertaining manner that emphasizes the hook and eliminates "writer-babble."
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Beyond the Chick Flick: Writing The Female Driven Screenplay Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Don't cry into your Hagen Dazs! Write female-driven screenplays that hang with the big boys! This seminar will help you brainstorm original stories with female leads, replace "soft" scenes with active moments, and create bold characters, all without falling into tired stereotypes.
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Dynamic Dialogue Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Learn quick and effective writing techniques to revive bland exchanges, tune up character voices, create relationship tension, and generally bring more life to the page.
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Surviving Rewrite Hell Course Level: ADV
Course Description: You know your script has to be rewritten but where do you begin? Conquer your rewrite fears with writing tools that cut through the fat, highlight the hook and make your script an industry must-read.
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The Craft Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Is your script a great read? Is your story on the page? It all comes down to the writing. Focus on writing style, tone and technique in this intensive seminar. We take a hard look at word choice, scene direction, dialogue approach, and the nuances of the page. Writers may bring in a first page (bring 50 copies) for potential feedback.
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Script from Scratch Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Come in with an idea and leave with a movie story. We begin with a main character or a seed of a premise and build from there to help writers get their ideas out of their heads and "on the page." In-class exercises force the writer to come up with plot points on the spot.
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Screenwriting for Tired Parents Course Level: BEG
Course Description: No time or inspiration to write? Every kids' book you read, every video you suffer through, every single moment spent with your kid contains a great screenwriting lesson. Brainstorm as you parent. Write when they sleep. Taught by a tired parent of two.
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Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman
Pre Expo Networking Partyh Course Level: ALL
Course Description: Get ready for the four-day Expo by partying the night away at a Pre-Expo Party, exclusively for Expo attendees. This event will be located at one of the Expo hotels. Plan on starting at 8 p.m. (Be sure to reconfirm the time at registration). Tickets are $25, only 300 available.
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Howard Allen (Rated a star speaker in 2006)
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Alka
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Structure from the Inside: Text AND Subtext Course Level: ADV
Course Description: As a professional actor/director turned into screenwriter and ScriptDoctor.com, Howard Allen shows a great new way of looking at structure. What you need must be easy to use, organic and applicable to Any Movie we discuss. Easy means character-driven structure. Organic means not being chained to hitting page number formulas.
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Landscaping the Subtext for Great Moments Course Level: ADV
Course Description: As a professional actor/director turned into screenwriter and ScriptDoctor.com, Howard Allen can show you what actors and directors look for in your screenplays. For example, did you know that Plot and Character are practically the same damn thing? Tools not formulas. Make great MOMENTS that sell.
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The Secret Weapon of Great Comedy AND Thriller Scripts Course Level: ADV
Course Description: As a professional actor/director turned into screenwriter and ScriptDoctor.com, Howard Allen can show you one amazing writer's tool to make comedy and suspense fire on all cylinders. In your story's subtext structure, find a dozen ways to use this device on grateful audiences.
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DMA (Donna Michelle Anderson)
Writing for Reality TV/Non-Fiction TV Course Level: ALL
Course Description: Is reality TV a medium that might help you launch your filmwriting career, or could it be the format you were born to write? The Alameda Writers Group and Women in Film are sponsoring this panel, headed by DMA (Donna Michelle Anderson). DMA will moderate a high-energy panel of insider reality professionals. Her past panelists for this subject have included story producers, field directors, and production executives such as the Exec VP of Original Programming for New Line Television (Wedding Crashers), the VP or Production for Scout Productions (Queer Eye), the Director of Development for GRB Entertainment (Addiction), plus writers, story editors and field producers for such shows as Big Brother, Americas Next Top Model, Modern Marvels and virtually every mainstream broadcast and cable outlet.
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Tina Andrews
Guest of Honor - Post Lucheon Series Course Level: ALL
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Film Biographies and Historical Fiction: How much fact? How much fiction? Does anyone care? Course Level: ALL
Course Description: This will be a panel discussion created and led by Tina Andrews, a Guest of Honor at the Screenwriting Expo.
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Rachel Ballon
Unlock the Blocks: 6 Secrets to a Creativity Cure Course Level: BEG-ADV
Course Description: If you've ever wanted to write and can't get started or if you get started and then can't write, this workshop's for you. Dr. Ballon has helped thousands of writers overcome procrastination, fear of success/failure/rejection and showed them the secret of how to overcome personal, creative and psychological blocks and start to write again. Each session tackles a different aspect of the writing life stumbling blocks--from conquering "Page Fright" and the perils of procrastination to tapping into your sub-conscious and nurturing the writer within. So, lie down on Dr. Rachel Ballon's couch, and send your creativity--and productivity--soaring and your writing life moving forward and upward toward success!
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How to Create Characters With Emotional and Psychological Depth (based on her book Breathing Life into Your Characters) Course Level: ADV
Course Description: The character driven script filled with emotional conflicts and complex characters that "touch the heart" translates into the most powerful and popular films. Based on the thesis that writers can't give to their characters and stories what they can't give to themselves this workshop will show writers how to create emotional relationships and characters' psychology so as to write great scripts. Participants will learn how to tap into their Inner cast of characters and stories in order to develop realistic, believable and HONEST characters that are emotionally moving and have a "ring of truth."
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Steven Barnes (Rated a star speaker in 2004-2006)
Structural Magic: The Universal Plot Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Structure is the backbone of writing, the skeleton holding all other aspects into a recognizable pattern. Fail to master this one key element, and regardless of your other skills, you simply will not sell. This workshop will introduce you to the world's oldest, most universal, simplest and most powerful plot form, one applicable not only to writing but life itself! Regardless of genre, regardless of form: book, film, television, or stage, structure separates amateurs from professionals, and opens the door to true freedom and artistic expression.
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Heart of the Matter: Deep Characterization Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Character is the "Heart" of writing, and the depth of your ability to create believable characters is directly related to your understanding of humanity itself. This workshop will introduce you to the oldest and most complete model of human psychology in the world, and show you how to apply it not only to your writing, but your own life. Master the relationship between plot and character, and you have 90% of the skills necessary to succeed in this business: the rest is just hard work, the right software, and a dash of luck.
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Future Perfect: The Art of Science Fiction Course Level: ADV
Course Description: The Science Fiction genre is one of the world's most popular, and drives the entire field of effects technology. But science fiction isn't the whiz-bang CGI Industrial Light and Magic wizardry: it is the interplay of ideas and the symphony of extrapolation behind them. It is human beings caught in a shift of reality. It is the human heart caught in the gears of the Machine. This workshop will explore the tropes and memes of this vital, exciting genre, from its origins to its future. You will learn the most important rules and principles, how to research, how to sustain the critical suspension of disbelief even in the most extreme and bizarre scenarios. How to avoid amateur mistakes, and how to think like a professional Science Fiction writer.
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The Gorgon in the Mirror: The How & Why of Horror Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Look it up for yourself: Horror films have the best cost/profit ratio of any genre. Audiences have an inexhaustible appetite for them--and studios are dying to pay you to write them. But there are rules, honed over centuries of folklore and fable, and decades of film, television, and novels. Fail to understand what this complex genre really is, what its fans need, how to trigger the deepest darkest emotions, or how to set up and pay off suspense sequences, and you will fail. By analyzing the most profitable and influential horror films ever made we will peel away the mystery and reveal the truth: Horror films are today's dark fairy tales, today's mythology, and one of the most direct tap-root into the collective unconscious.
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David Bartlett (Rated a star speaker in 2006)
Screenwriting--How Do I Start? Course Level: BEG
Course Description: This class covers the first steps to building the foundation of a strong screenplay. This is for anyone who is not certain of these two basis steps: 1) How do I start? and 2) Why am I stopped? Both questions are answered in a clear, simple, easy-to-grasp manner. Handout Included.
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Producing the Micro-Budget Feature Film - Part I Course Level: ALL
Course Description: A command performance of the very popular 2006 seminar! Focuses on the producer, director and writer interested in creating a feature length film for under $650,000. Topics covered are: planning the film from blank pages to getting distribution sales before you start, developing and securing the screenplay, casting and SAG, the shooting crew, the importance of food, the vital need of pre-production planning, the camera you choose, why production sound is the make-break point of foreign sales, electronic post planned before you shoot a frame and what a deliverable is and how it is vital for your sales. Handout Included.
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Story, Plot And Theme Course Level: ADV
Course Description: This popular EXPO 5 seminar returns bigger and better. Included is vital information on the exact definition of Story and the difference between Story, Plot and Theme. Covers the development of these three fundamental elements of any screenplay. Once that is done each of the elements is covered individually in detail with examples. Handout Included.
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Producing the Micro Budget Feature Film - Part II Course Level: ADV
Course Description: By popular demand an advanced version of the original seminar has been developed. Concentrates on advanced aspects of films made with very small budgets. The most critical elements are covered in greater detail with more attendee interaction encouraged. Key subjects covered are: writing your script to fit the budget, SAG requirements, camera types, shooting schedules, music licensing, electronic post and when to start selling and marketing your film. Recommended for attendees who have related production or post production experience, have made their own films or who attended last year's seminar.
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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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Stuart Beattie
Guest of Honor New Day and Time Course Level: ALL
Course Description: One of the Expo's distinguished Guests of Honor will appear in this time slot. Check back for more information.
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Glenn Benest (Rated a star speaker in 2003)
Writing Great Film Narrative Course Level: PRO
Course Description: One of the biggest mistakes screenwriters make is that they don't take the time to write great narrative. The description of action and setting is just as important as dialogue. This workshop gives examples of great narrative and provides tips on how to bring energy and style to your writing.
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Writing Visually Course Level: BEG
Course Description: A screenplay is a story told with pictures not dialogue. How do you convey visually what's happening in a story or within your characters? This workshop trains you to think visually and find pictures to express revelation of character and plot.
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Nicole Berger
Mastering Your Own Comedic Style Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Utilize the principles of comedic characters and genres to sharpen your voice as a screenwriter. Understand and Make Use of: comedic characters such as the Clueless Clown vs. the Mystified Nebbish; key differences between various genres, such as Dark Comedy vs. Dramady; comedic throughlines in dialogue, tone, situations and theme that can save you when you're stuck.
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Gil Bettman (Rated a star speaker in 2005-2006)
Why, When, and How to Move the Camera Course Level: ADV
Course Description: This course will teach you how to use camera movement to enhance your story. The underlying principle is that camera movement should be invisible. It should serve the story without calling attention to itself. The course will describe the three kinds of camera movement that function in this way. Students will also be taught how to move the camera most effectively by systematically trying to fulfill Five specific Tasks when designing each moving shot.
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How to Move the Camera: Part II Course Level: ADV
Course Description: This course will complete the students' understanding of how to design good moving shots -- specifically good moving masters. Since no moving master can completely fulfill all Five Tasks at all moments during a shot, a director must learn to identify the correct organizing principle for balancing the demands of the Five Tasks against each other.
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Lensmanship -- How to Force Perspective Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Spielberg revolutionized the look of contemporary films by consistently moving the camera and forcing perspective. This course will teach the student how to enhance drama and heighten action by using different lenses to force perspective.
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Shooting Action Sequences Course Level: ADV
Course Description: The key to shooting a good action sequence is knowing how to cover the action from multiple camera set ups using the right lenses. This course will teach the student this skill.
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James Bonnet (Rated a star speaker in 2005-2006)
Deep Structure, Metaphor, Genre: The Real Keys to Successful Stories Course Level: ADV
Course Description: In this class, James Bonnet will take you beyond three acts, conflict and turning points to reveal the hidden structures that all great and successful films have in common, and the little known secrets of metaphor and genre which are the keys to making your stories truly powerful and unique.
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Great Characters: Their Best Kept Secret Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Why are some characters easily forgotten while others like King Arthur, Sherlock Holmes, Dorothy, Superman and Scrooge go on forever? The real secret of their immortality lies in something you've probably never equated with the creation of a great character or a great story. In this workshop James Bonnet will teach you this remarkable secret, and show you how you can use it to make your characters truly charismatic and merchandisable and just about everything else in your story more fascinating.
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Michael Ray Brown
A Structure Checklist: How to Plug the Holes in Your Script Course Level: INT
Course Description: Screenwriting has been described as a craft, not an art. Structure is arguably the most important factor in a script's success. Learn how to quickly analyze your screenplay in 18 crucial areas. Discover what it takes to make your script fire on all cylinders.
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How to Survive "Coverage" Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Before your script ever reaches the eyes of a studio executive, it usually goes through the story department. Who are these gatekeepers, and why do they wield so much hidden power? Learn what a story analyst does, what they look for in a screenplay, and how to avoid the pitfalls that would sink your script.
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Capturing Your Audience with Jeopardy Course Level: INT
Course Description: A story can be defined as how a character copes with danger. Whether it is a physical threat to our hero's life or a more subtle threat to our hero's happiness, jeopardy is what makes us want to know what happens next. Learn techniques for building jeopardy that will keep your audiences on the edges of their seats.
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Creating Compelling Plots: The Dynamics of Motive, Intention, and Objective Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Every story begins with a strongly motivated character. But where do you go from there? Even the most highly motivated hero will bore an audience unless he has an objective. Learn how to create situations that will drive your story forward, deepen its emotional impact, and satisfy your audience on many levels.
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Stephen Buehler
Rewriting: Giving Your Script a Major Do-Over Course Level: ADV
Course Description: You've finished your script. Your friends have read it. It's okay but not great. In this seminar, Stephen will go over the steps in taking a firm look at your script to bring it up that next level; how to distance yourself from your first draft, how to break your script down into smaller workable part; dialogue, plot, main characters & minor ones and set-ups/payoffs. Learn the techniques that can make your current draft read like your final draft.
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Punch-Up: Make Your TV & Feature Scripts Funnier Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Want to know what it's like to sit around a table and punch-up a sitcom or feature film to make it funnier? In this unique seminar, we will take a hands-on approach to actually punching up a provided comedy scrip. Bring a script or a page that you want worked on. First, we will cover joke writing, different ways to approach a joke, the difference between character jokes and joke-jokes etc. Then we will roll up our sleeves and actually do some punching. Be ready to participate.
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First 10 Pages: How to Make or Break Your Screenplay Course Level: ADV
Course Description: You've heard it plenty of times, "I can tell if I'm going to finish it after reading the first ten pages." What needs to go into those first ten pages to grab the reader and keep her/him reading? With Stephen, you will explore the structure, characterizations, plot points, settings and tone of those first crucial pages. The Do's and Don'ts plus examples of scripts that worked.
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Philippa Burgess (Rated a star speaker in 2004-2005)
Navigating the Studio System Course Level: PRO
Course Description: When do you know you've arrived? Is it your first option, your first sale, your first re-write, seeing your script on the big screen, getting an Oscar nod, or when you can't get arrested? This class looks at the levels of Screenwriter from aspiring through A-List. It tackles the reality that is not as difficult to get started, as it is to move through the ranks with ease and avoid getting stuck in the murky middle between New Writer and A-List. She will discuss with you, the writer as a package and a brand; making the most of your script portfolio; how to prepare to answer the question, "What's next?", how the sales and packaging process works, and choosing the right representation. It will help you create a vision for your career that includes honing your craft, nurturing your relationships and building on your successes.
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Navigating TV Course Level: PRO
Course Description: What does a writer need to know about the TV business--from writing TV sample specs to writing original pilots for comedy and drama, and long-form projects. Learn how writing for television is different from writing and selling feature scripts. What are the career steps for a television writer? What are television's development seasons? What are the best strategies for succeeding in television? How to best approach interests in writing for both television and film? How to sell a published or upcoming book to television? And most importantly, learn the process of gaining representation, working with producers and network execs, developing original programming and staffing on a show.
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Fast Track Your Success: The Career Diamond Course Level: ADV
Course Description: First you determine what the pinnicle of success looks like for you. From there you look at the base of the pyramid which is made up of four sides which provide the ultimate formula to fast track your success. The Hollywood Career Diamond is half art and half business and half understanding and half action. The four sides are concept, execution, business model, and networking. This lecture walks a writer through the four sides of their career diamond and gives them an opportunity to evaluate their careers and create an action plan to further each important aspect to move them towards their goals as a writer.
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Million-Dollar Screenwriting Career: Picture the Deal Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Has someone offered to option your script? Does a producer want you to do a re-write? More often than not a writer gets an offer before they get representation. This class will look at getting the right deal, negotiation and deal issues with or without representation. We look at the impact on writers on films being developed, packaged, and produced in different financing and distribution models. We address where is the line between taking notes for free or for fee? We look at how far should a writer go in terms of developing with a producer; look at considerations for option agreements; spec sale turnaround; and discuss how writer deals are structured along with Guild protections and requirements.
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Sara Caldwell
The Suspense is Killing Me! Writing Horror Action Sequences Course Level: ADV
Course Description: This seminar explains the importance of action sequences and explores pacing, introducing and enhancing characters through action, building suspense, and writing scenes with sex and violence. Tips are also given on what to avoid when writing action.
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Marketing Mayhem: Getting Your Script to Screen Course Level: ADV
Course Description: This seminar covers statistics on horror films, relevant companies producing horror in recent years, successful independent horror, marketing strategies, query letters that do/don't work for the genre, finding agency representation, and other marketing tips from the trenches.
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Danny Cannon
Guest of Honor - Post Lucheon Series Course Level: ALL
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John W. Cones (Rated a star speaker in 2006)
Investor Financing of Independent Films Course Level: PRO
Course Description: Los Angeles securities/entertainment attorney John Cones provides an overview of film finance; investor financing strategies; when fund-raising activities involve the sale of a security; when and whether to use a business plan or a securities disclosure document; differences in the contents of a business plan and private placement offering memorandum; considerations re choice of investment vehicles; whether to conduct a public or private offering and a look at rules associated with each type of offering.
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Linda Cowgill (Rated a star speaker in 2003, 2005, 2006)
The Emotional Pattern of Plot Course Level: ADV
Course Description: The Emotional Pattern of Plot defines plot and illustrates that it is more than an outline of events; it's the ordering of emotions. With this understanding, writers can bring to their work greater emotional depth and payoff, and make a stronger connection with their audience. Learn how to add emotion and depth to your stories to make your screenplays more compelling.
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The Role of Conflict & Principles of Action in Plot Construction Course Level: ADV
Course Description: The Role of Conflict and The Principles of Action explain the dynamic functions of conflict and action in defining plot and character. This seminar shows how conflict is key to developing successful stories as well as compelling characterizations, and how understanding the principles of action allows writers freedom from formulaic plotting.
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The Tools of Plotting & The Sequence of Story Course Level: ADV
Course Description: A successful plot depends on conflict and movement to build tension and momentum while at the same time it must expose character and motivation to create meaning. This seminar concentrates on tools that will help you design your story to increase emotional impact, strengthen momentum, deepen characterizations, and clarify exposition.
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The Art of Plotting Course Level: ADV
Course Description: The real art of plotting is effecting a naturalness of storytelling so the audience never has the need nor the time to question or criticize the sequence of events shown. It is an emotional flow of information that keeps the audience rooted and invested until the climax resolves the story. This seminar focuses on specific ideas to help you get to the heart of your plot and get the most out of your story by adding emotion, excitement, and depth.
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Common Plot Problems: How to Recognize and Overcome Them Course Level: ADV
Course Description: While many writers seem to understand a screenplay's structural concepts, they still don't grasp what makes a great script work on paper. As a result their own stories feel flat, complicated, yet at the same time underdeveloped. This seminar does just what the title says: points out common plotting problems and provides effective solutions for them.
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Devorah Cutler-Rubenstein
The Insider's Guide to Film Financing Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Before you finish the script, before you acquire a literary property, when your idea is just an idea, you can start raising money for your movie. You can get a jump on Hollywood. You can avoid approaching producers, agents, and managers hat in hand. And it won't be an arduous process! Raising money is easiest when you approach the most suitable targets. But how do you find individuals, associations, companies, and other enterprises who will resonate with your story? And once you find them, how do you get them to part with their funds? Bring your scripts and ideas and we will work on your specific projects!
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James Dalessandro (Rated a star speaker in 2006)
Loglines/Treatments/Pitches Course Level: ADV
Course Description: There is no more important skill to up and coming writers than the ability to catch the attention of executives and readers with a short intro to their work. Lew Hunter, co-Dean of UCLA's graduate screen writing program calls seminar leader James Dalessandro one of the best pitch men he has ever seen. His pitch for his novel and screenplay, 1906, resulted in an extensive Hollywood bidding war.
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Breaking the Rules: How the Big Dogs Do It Course Level: PRO
Course Description: No monologues? No lengthy flashbacks? Protagonist/antagonist must come into conflict early? Ever-mounting jeopardy? Main character must be likeable? In one of his most popular lectures, novelist/screenwriter James Dalessandro will dig into the heart of some of recent cinema's most brilliant moments by showing film clips of Oscar-winning films that broke the traditional rules of screenwriting. "Originality is the heart of greatness, and flying by the rules never achieved greatness."
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Adaptations: Finding the Heart of the Matter Course Level: ADV
Course Description: James Dalessandro has adapted all three of his books: 1906, Bohemian Heart, and Citizen Jane, for various Hollywood producers including Wolper Productions, Warner Brothers Film and Warner Brothers Television, and Baltimore/Spring Creek Productions.
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Real Life--Reel Life Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Finding, acquiring, adapting true life stories to the screen. By James Dalessandro, author/screenwriter of "1906", the epic of the great San Francisco Earthquake, and "Citizen Jane", the story of a Marin County woman who has solved 20 Cold Case Murders.
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Scene Study: The Secret Life of Screenplays Course Level: PRO
Course Description: Structure is mathematical: the true creativity in American film lies in the strength of The Scene. If the paragraph is the building block of fiction, the Scene is the heart of film.
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Big Budgets/Big Ideas: Researching the Tentpole Picture Course Level: PRO
Course Description: Seminar is given by James Dalessandro, best selling author and screenwriter of "1906", the epic tale of the great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire." Researching and writing the tent-pole picture. Mixing fact and fiction is a tricky and challenging endeavor. Dalessandro will talk about finding the elements of an epic story, how to blend fact and fiction, what makes Hollywood want to write those big checks, and how to survive the development process.
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Ken Dancyger
Writing the Thriller Course Level: ADV
Course Description: The Thriller can be Personal, Political or Psychological. In each case the Thriller is the story of an ordinary person caught in extraordinary circumstances. If they don't understand and avoid the danger of those circumstances they will be destroyed. If they understand and prevail they are heroic. Special attention will be paid to the dramatic arc of each type of Thriller. Tone will also be addressed in the workshop.
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Writing the Romantic Comedy Course Level: ADV
Course Description: The Romantic Comedy has a very specific dramatic arc, the course of the relationship of two opposite people. Two issues stand out: first the Character Arc-what transforms our main character from undesirable to desirable? And second, how do you make this kind of story funny and fresh. These are issues will be addressed in this workshop.
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Michael Davis
The Journey From Film School to Writer-director of a movie starring Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti
Course Description: What it really took to get to the point of making a movie with stars like Clive Owen and Paul Giamatti. The truth about what it takes...when you nearly gave up, if you ever did, and why...How you caused your own breaks to be made...the kind of work you took to keep food on the table between paying writing and directing jobs...
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Ellen Sandler & Devorah Cutler-Rubenstein
KILLER LOGLINES: 30 Seconds to Cha-Ching Course Level: ADV
Course Description: A sale often depends on getting that perfect logline for the marketplace. But how does one successfully reduce a screenplay, novel, true story, or television series to one or two memorable sentences? This lively and interactive class will give you the necessary tools to craft that killer logline that'll help you snag the attention of that agent or buyer you've been courting.
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Wendy Cutler & Devorah Cutler-Rubenstein
Using Improv Techniques for Comedy Writing Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Most successful comedy writers, producers, and performers began their careers as improvisers (Chevy Chase, Robin Williams, Lilly Tomlin). Improv helps writers think outside the box and helps you connect to a creative flow that supersedes your critic. Learn how to instantly short circuit writer's bloc and access authentic characters on the spot.
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Pam Douglas
Writing the TV Drama Series Course Level: PRO
Course Description: Learn how today's episodic dramas are written: how to structure the hour teleplay, how characterization differs from feature films, parallel storytelling techniques, how to pitch to a show, and how the TV series business works. We'll cover existing series and original pilots, and opportunities in traditional and new outlets.
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Brian Edgar
Twisted Worlds: Writing the Thriller Course Level: ADV
Course Description: What makes for a great thriller? This seminar will explore the elements and craft of this unique genre. We will consider how and why good thrillers work, tools for creating deeper levels of plot and character, and finding that fresh twist in yours!
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Writing the Period Drama Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Yearning to write the next "Braveheart"? This seminar will focus on what makes for a great period drama, from the story idea to its realization on the screen. Examples of recent films (successful and not) will be used, and Edgar will draw from his own experience writing a big period script.
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The Art of Descriptive Action Course Level: ADV
Course Description: At its best, descriptive action illuminates story and character, and transports the happy reader. At its worst, it drags the poor reader into a quicksand of exposition and wordiness. Learn the essential craft of writing sharp, clear and compelling descriptive action.
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Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
Guest of Honor Course Level: ALL
Course Description: One of the Expo's distinguished Guests of Honor will appear in this time slot. Check back for more information.
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Syd Field
Okay, Fasten Your Seat Belts: Writing the Action Sequence Course Level: TWO
Course Description: Writing action sequences requires a strong sense of style and creativity as well as being able to utilize time, the surrounding elements and whatever's necessary to make the sequence work. Action sequences don't just happen; they need to be designed and executed with maximum dramatic value. It is an art as well as a craft. In this session, we'll break down and watch some of the greatest action sequences of the last few decades and explore those stylistic elements that make great action sequences. Film clips from: Pirates of the Caribbean, Terminator 2, The Matrix, Bullitt, The French Connection will break down each sequence to illustrate the art and craft of writing a great action sequence.
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Setting Up Character & Story Course Level: TWO
Course Description: This session explores the five ways a linear and non-linear film establish a strong and dynamic story line.
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Okay, Fasten Your Seat Belts: Writing the Action Sequence Course Level: TWO
Course Description: Writing action sequences requires a strong sense of style and creativity as well as being able to utilize time, the surrounding elements and whatever's necessary to make the sequence work. Action sequences don't just happen; they need to be designed and executed with maximum dramatic value. It is an art as well as a craft. In this session, we'll break down and watch some of the greatest action sequences of the last few decades and explore those stylistic elements that make great action sequences. Film clips from: Pirates of the Caribbean, Terminator 2, The Matrix, Bullitt, The French Connection will break down each sequence to illustrate the art and craft of writing a great action sequence.
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Setting Up Character & Story Course Level: TWO
Course Description: This se