In spring 2021 I was awarded a sabbatical to study and execute the writing of a screenplay. As part of that experience I have found many learning resources for screenwriters.
My collection of resources for screenwriters includes podcasts, coaching programs, scripts, writing references and competitions.
PODCASTS
The Screenwriting Life – Hosted by Meg LeFauve and Lorian McKenna
Script Notes – Hosted by John August and Craig Mazun
Bulletproof Screenwriting (Audio) – Hosted by Alex Ferrari
Bulletproof Screenwriting (YouTube)
On The Page – Hosted by Pilar Alessandra
Write On – Final Draft sponsored podcast
TV Writer Podcast – Hosted by Gray Jones
3rd & Fairfax – WGA West podcast
The Writers Panel – Hosted by Ben Blacker
SCREENWRITING SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Rocaberti Writers Retreat – Weeklong writers’ retreats in European castles.
Screencraft Writers Summit – Three day screenwriters’ conference (virtual in 2021).
Screencraft – Seminars, webinars, competitions and consultants.
Roadmap Writers – Seminars, webinars, coaching with an emphasis on getting writers repped.
Blacklist Programs – Labs, workshops and residencies for emerging and underrepresented writers.
Sundance Screenwriters Lab – Five day intensive workshop for developing first or second film screenplay.
Sundance Screenwriters Intensive – Two day workshop for first time filmmakers from underrepresented communities.
Raindance – UK organization with online seminars and classes.
ONLINE CLASSES
The HartChart Screenwriting Masterclass – James V. Hart’s multipart video masterclass on his HartChart character and story structure method.
The Advanced Script Coach Series – Jurgen Wollf’s four session online class covers characters, structure, treatments and marketing. [I loved Jurgen and connecting with my fellow students.]
Character Psychology For Writers – Kire-Anne Pelican’s four session online class covers developing and writing characters from a psychologist’s perspective.
SCREENPLAY SCRIPTS
Blacklist Script Archive – Downloadable archive of 100+ scripts from the last 10 years.
The Script Lab Screenplay Database – Downloadable
John August’s Screenplay Library – Viewable scripts written by John August and Craig Mazin.
Script Reader Pro 50 Best TV Scripts – Downloadable TV pilot scripts.
Script Reader Pro 50 Best Film Scripts – Downloadable screenplays in multiple genre’s.
SCREENWRITING RESOURCES/REFERENCES
Screenwriting Resources from Final Draft – Screenwriting tutorials and articles.
The Script Lab – Writing tips.
Script Magazine – How to write articles, industry pro interviews and career advice.
WriteOnSisters – Writing craft and life from fiction writers.
The WGA Registry – Document your work in the WGA Registry.
U.S. Copyright Registry – Start here to register the copyright of your script.
SCREENWRITING COMPETITIONS
PAGE International Screenwriting Awards Competition – Cash and prizes to winner and finalists, with feedback for an additional fee.
ScreenCraft Writing Competitions – Genre focused writing competitions.
Austin Film Festival: Screenplay and Teleplay Competition – All entrees receive feedback, additional feedback for screenplays selected for the second round.
The Script Lab Screenplay Contest – FREE competition, with feedback for a small fee.
Female Voices Rock Film Festival – Prizes and mentoring for winner.
SCREENWRITING FELLOWSHIPS
Stowe Story Labs – Fellowships to attend one of several Stowe narrative film labs and writers retreats.
Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting – Screenwriting competition sponsored by the Motion Picture Academy.
Women In Film Feature Residency – Residency weekend and yearlong mentoring and events.
Women In Film Episodic Lab – Month-long series of workshops, mentoring sessions and master classes.
The Writers Lab US – Four day script intensive for women writers 40+ years old, feedback for an additional fee.
CineStory Feature Retreat and Competition – Four day retreat with mentoring.
AND, BUT, THEREFORE – ABT STRUCTURE
The ABTs of Storytelling – On The Page podcast episode 754 with Doug Passon and Randy Olson.
Test Those Scene Connections – But, Therefore & Then – Heather Jackson blog post, Write On Sisters.
USEFUL HOW TOS
Action descriptions – DR. FORMAT: Directing the Camera Without Using Camera Direction
Inciting incidents – What is An Inciting Incident…Is [It] Working?
Flashbacks – How to Write a Flashback In a Script…
Formatting and using parentheticals – 5 Ways to Use Parentheticals in a Script
Using the Intercut – Intercutting
Character complexity and psychology – How to Use Cognitive Bias to Layer Your Characters
Preparing you script to send out for feedback – 5 Tips Before … Showing Your Script to a Professional
Candace Lee Egan 