Advertisments
SCREENWRITING EXPO 2003
Three days of learning and networking in L.A.
What has 6,000 feet, a million dreams, and takes 3 days just to contain it? The answer is the second annual Screenwriting Expo which will be held next month in Los Angeles, California. Having participated as a guest lecturer last year, I can promise you that it’s an event you don’t want to miss, especially if writing for the big screen (or the small one) is something you have always wanted to do. But don’t just take my word for it. Erik Bauer, coordinator of this stellar happening, took time from his schedule to give us the scoop on this year’s line-up.How did the idea for a screenwriting expo originate?
I grew increasingly disgusted by the high-priced screenwriting conferences being marketed out there. I mean $600, $700, even $1200 for a conference is no deal. I wanted to create an event that was democratized, that everyone could afford to attend. The Expo offers a much better lineup of guests, speakers, and activities than any of these other events (which shall remain nameless), at a fraction of the price. Writers, for the most part, don't have a lot of money, and I wanted everyone to be able to benefit.
Your turn-out the first year was quite a bit higher than you anticipated. What do you think accounted for the overwhelming showing of wannabe screenwriters?
We had 2,700 attendees last year, which was about 50% more than we had hoped. I think the majority of people were attracted to the first-rate speakers and the affordable price. Last year we had Frank Darabont, Bruce Joel Rubin, and David O. Russell. This year William Goldman, Robert McKee, Aaron Sorkin, and Callie Khouri (among distinguished others) will be speaking. We also have a large number of professional screenwriters giving seminars this year. These include Jack Epps, Jr. (Top Gun, Dick Tracy), Peter Mehlman (Seinfeld), and Robert Roy Pool (Armageddon), as well as Syd Field, David S. Freeman, Michael Hauge, Robert Kosberg, John Truby, and 90 other top lecturers.
What did you learn from last year's event that you could apply toward improving the operations of the 2003 Expo?
Organizationally, this year will be much superior to last year. Badges and tickets will be mailed to participants, and Expo pitch fest registration will be conducted online, so there won't be any lines this year.
Who's on board as your guest speakers this year and what topics will they be covering?
Lecturer Robert McKee and screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The American President) will both be speaking at Screenwriting Expo 2 (Oct. 17-19, 2003). These esteemed speakers join William Goldman, Callie Khouri, Shane Black, Tom Schulman, John Lee Hancock, Mike Medavoy, Peter Guber, and Peter Bart.
What impact do you feel the Internet has on increasing the accessibility to Hollywood?
I think the Internet helps new writers a lot. There is a wealth of information available, and many new ways to contact established industry players from outside of LA.
How do prospective participants go about registering and how much does it cost?
Go to www.screenwritingexpo.com and click on the online registration system. Expo registration is $59.95 and includes all our guests of honor and a wide variety of panel discussions with agents, managers, and producers. Your Expo registration also includes a free subscription to Creative Screenwriting magazine (a $29.95 value) if you register by October 1st. Additional seminars and lectures at the Expo are just $4 each, and the pitch fest is $25 per pitch (5 for $100). If you're interested in the pitch fest, please register for the Expo by Sept. 25th.
How many attendees are you expecting this year?
I think the numbers will be about the same as last year, but who knows, we might get a surprise because the lineup is so much better this year!
Any advice for out-of-towners?
Stay in one of the Expo hotels near by (list on www.screenwritingexpo.com). Don't bring a lot of scripts with you. The classy thing to do is to mail them the following week to producers and agents who express interest. And most of all, have fun!
* * * * *
Former actress/director Christina Hamlett is a Pasadena, California script coverage consultant whose published works include 17 books, 104 plays and musicals, 2 optioned films, multiple shorts, and several hundred magazine articles and interviews that appear throughout the world. Her latest book proposal “COULD IT BE A MOVIE?” has just been accepted by Michael Wiese Productions, a publisher exclusively dedicated to titles regarding the film and television industry.