Pitch, Learn & Network at Screenwriters World Conference West

At Screenwriters World Conference West, you’ll be part of an epic gathering of global screenwriting talent! Both professional and aspiring screenwriters from around the world unite at Screenwriters World to discuss the craft, share ideas, and network with fellow creatives. If you’re serious about your screenwriting career, this is an event that’s not to be missed.

Screenwriters World is the next generation in movie industry conferences, and is the result of The Writers Store’s three decades of experience showing screenwriters how to write and sell a screenplay. Every panel and session is specially chosen by experts from The Writers Store, which means you can expect timely material and accessible speakers there to help you learn how to succeed in Hollywood. Plus, the networking and educational line-ups are different year after year, so you can attend annually and know the event will evolve to match your own creative growth.

Use our editor's discount code JEANNE913 for $50 off registration for the
All Access OR Individual Full Conference packages!

In Brief:

Screenwriters World Conference West • September 27 – 29 • Los Angeles, California

The Ultimate Screenwriting Conference: Perfect, pitch and sell your script at Screenwriters World Conference West, where you’ll network with successful Hollywood screenwriters and agents who know what it takes to make it in the movie industry.

Who Attends Screenwriters World Conference West?

Screenwriters World Conference West attracts aspiring and established screenwriters in all genres, from fantasy/sci-fi and horror to action and family-friendly comedy.

Whatever your experience level, you’ll take something away from Screenwriters World Conference West that makes it worth the price of admission. Our attendees range from newly graduated students all the way to veteran screenwriters looking to stay current on the craft and business of screenwriting.

Line Up:

Main Conference—Screenwriters World Conference West attendees mix and match sessions from three education tracks: Writing Feature Screenplays, Business of Screenwriting, and Small Screen and Beyond. Sessions take place from 4:00 pm Friday, September 27 through noon Sunday, September at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles, CA. View the main conference schedule.

Boot Camps—Boot Camps are extended three-hour sessions that take place Friday, September 27 at 9:00 am and 12:30 pm at the same location as the main conference. These in-depth workshops are being offered for an additional price of $149 each. View the Boot Camp schedule.

Mini Boot Camps-- Our Mini Boot Camps are specialized one and a half hour sessions that take place on Saturday, September 28 as an alternative to the Pitch Slam. We are offering mini boot camps at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm for $99 each. View the Mini Boot Camp schedule.

Additional Conference Features:

Pitch Slam—The Pitch Slam event is a pulse-pounding, real-life chance to pitch your script to agents and get instant feedback—and maybe even sell your story. You’ll go head-to-head with agents and executives from Los Angeles, New York, and points in between that represent all genres of screenwriting. They’ve got one thing in common: They’re all actively looking for new screenplays.

Cocktail Reception—Network with your peers, speakers, agents, and industry executives during the cocktail reception. Maybe you’ll meet your future writing partner or publishing agent!

Location:

Screenwriters World Conference West takes place at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles, September 27 – 29. This luxury hotel, set on seven lush acres at the border of Beverly Hills and LA’s fashionable West Side, offers easy access to many iconic Los Angeles locations including: Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, Fox Studios, Mann’s Chinese Theater, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Malibu and tons of sandy beaches. As a Screenwriters World Conference West attendee, you’re eligible for a deep discount of $209+ for a single/double room when you reserve your room by September 3, 2013. Click here to learn more or book a room.

Special Registration Options:

All-Access Pass—Attend both Screenwriters World Conference West and Writer’s Digest Conference West, which take place at the same location and time—for a significant discount off the price of registering for both events. All-Access Pass holders can choose from sessions and events at both conferences starting Friday, September 27 at 4:00 pm, all sessions on Saturday, September 28, all pitch slams plus the cocktail reception, and all sessions on Sunday, September 29.

A Sampling of Screenwriters World Conference West Speakers:

Andrew Guerdat //TV Writer, Producer, Script Consultant, Professor

Andrew Guerdat’s TV credits include Head of the Class, 9 to 5, Sister, Sister, Boy Meets World, Empty Nest, and Herman’s Head, which he co-created. His films and MOWs include Fourth Story, Dance ‘Til Dawn and Ask Max, and he has sold screenplays to Disney, MGM, Fox, among others.

Andrew’s Sessions: “A-B-C’s of Writing for TV” and “Develop & Pitch TV Shows”

Daniel Manus // CEO and Script Consultant, No BullScript Consulting

Danny Manus is one of the most in-demand script consultants as CEO of No BullScript Consulting and author of No B.S. for Screenwriters: Advice from the Executive Perspective. He was ranked one of the Top 15 “Cream of the Crop” script consultants in CS Magazine in 2010.

Danny’s Sessions: “Query Letters, Loglines and Leave Behinds” and “What I Really Want is An Agent”

Pilar Alessandra // Director

Pilar Alessandra is the director of the Los Angeles writing studio On the Page®, host of the On the Page Podcast and author of The Coffee Break Screenwriter. Pilar has read and analyzed thousands of scripts for companies such as DreamWorks, ImageMovers, Radar Pictures and the Robert Evans Company. In 2011 she was named one of LA Weekly's Top 100 People.

Pilar’s sessions: “Boot Camp: The Craft” and “Pitch"

Brian McDonald // Filmmaker and Author

Brian McDonald is an award-winning director/writer and lecturer who has worked as a story consultant for both Pixar and Disney Feature Animation. He has written for comic books including Predator, Lost in Space and the Hellboy spin-off Abe Sapien: Drums of the Dead. He has written for A&E's Hoarders and directed spots for VISA.

Brian’s session: “Getting Past the Reader”

Kathy Fond Yoneda //Entertainment Consultant, Screenwriters University

Kathie Fong Yoneda is an entertainment consultant specializing in development and marketing of live action and animated film, television, literary, and web projects. A former exec at Disney, Touchstone, Island Pictures, and Disney TV Animation, she has taught workshops worldwide.

Kathy’s sessions: “Pitch Panel,” “Getting Past the Reader” and “Web Series”

Check out the full list of speakers.

A Sampling of Screenwriters World Conference West Agents and Executives:

Sony Pictures Animation

Sony Pictures Animation produces both all-audience, fully animated comedies (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Hotel Transylvania) and live-action/CGI hybrid comedies (The Smurfs). They are looking for all budget range features in the comedy, family and animation genres.

New Wave Entertainment

New Wave Entertainment is looking for high concept and elevated genre—horror and super-natural horror, thriller, sci-fi, action. Big ideas. Especially interested in high concept 1-hour TV and mini-series. They're attracted to writers who write because they feel compelled to, because they have stories they want to tell. They like to work closely with our writers in the development process, through treatments, beat sheets, and outlines, and through multiple drafts.

Outlier Company

Company Credits: Twilight (Complete Series), Percy Jackson: The Lighting Thief, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, Agent Cody Banks, The Wedding Planner, The Riches (TV)

Cross Creek Pictures

Cross Creek Pictures is looking for medium- and high-budget features in the action, drama, sci-fi, and horror categories. Cross Creek is more likely to respond well to male-driven fare. However, if it is exciting and inventive material that really stands out from it's genre they'll strongly consider it.

Kopelson Entertainment

Kopelson is looking for medium- and high-budget features, one-hour TV and TV (MOW) in the Action, Sci-Fi and Family genre categories. They are also interested in anything that thrills and family films for features. TV dramas for Broadcast or Cable.

Check out the full list of agents and executives.