The Insider View^™ Webinar Library

Great screenplays are composed of great scenes. Scenes that audiences remember long after the house lights have come up. Who can forget Cary Grant being chased through the cornfield by the crop duster? How do you write those great scenes? Screenwriter William C. Martell will show you 10 ways to create magical movie moments that will stand out in reader's minds and help your story flow better.

A script is nothing without its characters. UCLA Screenwriting Instructor Corey Mandell gives you inside information on how to transform your characters from two dimensional bores into strong, believable beings that will captivate readers and get you past the first stage of coverage.

When it comes to your script, there's nothing more powerful than theme. Without it, it can leave your narrative lacking depth and substance. International script consultant Dara Marks will show you simple ways in which you can use theme to improve your characters, dialogue and overall give your script that extra something that takes it to the next level!

Nothing is more important than structure. An unstructured script will not only send you down the writing rabbit hole, but will ensure that you'll never have a polished project ready for industry professionals when they ask to read your screenplay. Top screenwriting teacher and script consultant Jeff Kitchen will walk you through his simple formula to have a well-engineered script that keeps a reader engaged and improves your chances of having that executive say yes!

No matter how skilled a writer you are, if you cannot get your script in the right hands you will never be a successful screenwriter. Learn how to identify the right industry professionals to read your script and develop a pitch that highlights the hook of your story. Award-winng screenwriter Jacob Krueger will teach you how to maximize your time in the pitch room and get your script on the top of the "to read" pile.

Peter Desberg and Jeffrey Davis have spent their lives making people laugh on and off screen. Having integrated comedy into plays, novels, and TV shows, these two can offer key insight into creating the perfect joke for your medium. From slapstick comedy to witty humor, Peter and Jeffrey discuss the art of telling jokes, the importance of timing, and ways to overcome writing frustrations.

Creating believable, memorable characters is a skill all screenwriters must have. From protagonists to supporting roles, you must know how to develop these characters and enliven your scenes with great character moments. Join Pilar Alessandra from On the Page as she gives you practical, useful advice for writing stronger characters that bring your script to life.

Success in screenwriting comes from marketing yourself as a writer. Too often screenwriters are confused and frustrated when it comes to getting their work in the right hands and getting hired to do what they love. Screenwriting career coach Lee Jessup breaks down the steps you can take as a writer, both in the short and long term, to get noticed and get work.

Paul Levine, lawyer and literary agent, has worked in entertainment law for over 29 years. Paul discusses how a writer can get an agent and an attorney, how a writer can sell his work, and other information that proves to be the Writers' Legal Guide to Hollywood. Learn the difference between agents and attorneys, explore proven methods for getting your script in the right hands, and delve into insider legal information that writers need to know.

Novelist and screenwriter Rex Pickett knows that creating a memorable story starts with conceiving a dynamic character — a concept that has earned him a steady place in Hollywood for over 20 years. Having based his wildly successful novel Sideways loosely on personal experiences, Pickett believes that “writing what you know” can often determine the depth of the emotional impact a story can have. In this webinar, Rex will discuss the importance of developing larger-than-life-characters, as well as using diversity to open doors for conflict, comedy, and drama.

UCLA professor and working screenwriter Corey Mandell has spent years studying the effective methods that working screenwriters use to rewrite their screenplays. In this webinar that no screenwriter should miss he details the strategies you can use to make your script professional and polished.

Former TV executive Jen Grisanti has 12 years of experience in the studio system. In this nuts-and-bolts webinar she explains what you need to have to sell your TV pilot, including the right pitch, a powerful logline, unforgettable characters, and more. Don't miss this practical guide to making sure your pilot is market-ready followed by industry advice for getting your script in the hands of TV executives.

Formatting a screenplay may seem like a necessary evil to some, but smart screenwriters know that formatting can be used as an effective writing tool to make your ideas come alive for the reader. Join us as Dr. Format (aka Dave Trottier, author of The Screenwriters Bible), highlights the difference between a spec and a shooting script, explains the importance of writing for your audience, and shares the tools you can use to make your script rise to the top of the "read" pile.

Chances are you're one of the millions of people to see James Vanderbilt's most recent hit, The Amazing Spider-Man. As a WGA Award-winner, producer, and esteemed screenwriter, Vanderbilt understands the dynamics of today's film industry from the writer's POV. He talks extensively about the many ways that a writer can create more engaging characters, how you can get feedback and use it constructively, and what a producer is looking for when he or she reads your script. Learn these insider tips and more from one of the most sought-after screenwriters working today.

Having once been an aspiring writer, Chris Fenton understands just how hard it can be to launch your career in today's marketplace. That writer's perspective has allowed Fenton to open his own successful company, H2F, and help develop the talent of promising new screenwriters looking to find their place in the movie industry. This informative webinar explains the importance of being proactive as a writer, reveals the biggest mistake screenwriters most often make, and offers a proactive solution for getting an agent's attention.

It should come as no surprise that Oscar®-nominated screenwriter and novelist Guillermo Arriaga knows a thing or two about writing an award-worthy script. Having penned convention-breaking hits such as Babel and 21 Grams, Guillermo offers a fresh insight to the craft of storytelling. Join us as we learn his approach on the complex concept of flashbacks, his theory on unconventional structure, and his process for letting his characters “surprise” him.

Join us as one of Hollywood's most esteemed literary agents gives an insider's perspective on how to succeed in today's competitive screenwriting industry. Paradigm agent David Boxerbaum, who helped launch feature films such as Safe House and Wanderlust, answers questions and shares his advice on getting started in the industry, the importance of having a literary agent, the power of building a reputation as a writer, and the value of your own creativity.

As Hollywood executive Carole Kirschner knows, it takes much more than quality writing skills and a degree in film to be successful in the movie industry. Tune in as the author of the book Hollywood Game Plan: How to Land a Job in Film, TV and Digital Entertainment shares her advice for working your way to the top by learning to 'pay your dues,' use the power of networking, and see the potential in any opportunity. Also discussed: How having your own personal logline can help define your career as a writer.

When it comes to action and thriller movies, every good screenwriter knows that character development is just as important as visual flair and nail-biting suspense. Join us as William C. Martell, a working screenwriter with 17 produced film credits to his name, explains the value of the hero/villain relationship and describes the different conflicts faced by human and superhuman antagonists. He also offers advice on taking your action scenes to next level with plenty of examples from films you know.

All too often a good story can get lost in a bad script. Join us as story editor Christopher Lockhart of the venerable talent agency William Morris Endeavor discusses the importance of establishing and developing your voice as a screenwriter. He will talk in-depth about the elements of exceptional character building and offer other essential tips to take your writing to the next level. Additionally, he delves into strategies for selling your script, including an enlightening conversation about the benefits and drawbacks of having actors attached to your project.

Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio are one of the most well-respected screenwriting duos actively working in Hollywood today. Having penned blockbuster hits such as Despicable Me and The Lorax, as well as becoming the go-to writers for Dr. Suess, Paul and Daurio know what it takes to achieve success in the movie industry. Join us as they share their experiences working together on some of the most profitable children's 3-D animated movies of all time and their tips for successful … and memorable … pitch meetings.

If there's one element producer David Greenblatt believes successful screenwriters must have, it's passion. Tune in as a co-founder of Endeavor, one of Hollywood's most revered talent agencies, shares his do's and don'ts for writing query letters. He goes on to highlight the importance of having multiple projects as a writer and discusses the power of enthusiasm when pitching your work.

To a screenwriter who's just starting out, Hollywood can seem like a never-ending labyrinth of dead ends, wrong turns, and missed exits. That's where consultants like Melody Jackson come in. The owner of Smart Girls Productions, one of the industry's top marketing firms for aspiring screenwriters, educates us on the importance of having a hook and gives us examples of ideas that will make producers call you back. She also defines high-concept and talks about why execs are looking for these ideas, and the best ways you can get your script recognized.

It should come as no surprise that one of the most captivating personalities in Hollywood is also one of the most successful producers in the business. Nicknamed Tinseltown's resident “Pitch King,” Robert Kosberg offers a dynamic perspective on choosing a marketable concept, the value of an original idea, and the importance of finding endless inspiration when looking to sell your script.

When manager Jewerl Ross is looking to sign his next screenwriting client, attitude is everything. As a firm believer in quality over quantity, Ross knows the importance of patience and dedication when writing, marketing, and producing a script. Tune in as the owner of Silent R Management shares what motivates him to work with a client, offers advice on how to find a manager, and expresses the significance of a healthy and creative appetite for success.