Writing For Hollywood Summit

ONE-DAY WRITING FOR HOLLYWOOD SUMMIT

From 9 am to 4:15 pm, February 7, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco

PLUS the 7:30-9:30 pm Sips & Stories After Dark event

Included with main conference registration or stand-alone for $249.

Writing For Hollywood Summit

For writers looking to diversify or shift into script and screenplay writing, the Writing for Hollywood Summit provides a solid foundation for adapting your skills to the specific requirements of screenwriting. Our expert faculty will cover the fundamentals of craft, editing, understanding trends, and figuring out where the points of entry are to this entirely different avenue for writers to succeed.

What Does Hollywood Want?

Short answer - nobody knows. Long answer - our panel will discuss ways to develop your ideas, pursue a career in the industry, and avoid common pitfalls.

  • Chris Mancini
  • Jenny Frankfurt
  • Justin Sloan

Screenplay Structure

How does a screenplay tell its story? What’s an inciting incident? What does the end of the first act mean for your protagonist? Our panel will discuss storytelling using the building blocks of a screenplay and how to make the most of them.

  • Cody Smart
  • Ally May
  • Justin Sloan

I wrote a script. Now what?

You finished your script, so what do you want to do with it? Contests? Professional feedback? Start sending query letters? There are lots and lots of options for screenwriters.

  • James Moorer
  • Jenny Frankfurt
  • Chris Mancini

Script pages - live edit

What should and shouldn’t be on the page? Our panel will critique and comment on several examples of script pages.

  • Cody Smart
  • Ally May
  • James Moorer

Screenwriting 101

Covering the basic building blocks of what's involved with writing a screenplay, from proper formatting to plot points to your protagonist’s journey, plus a little more. Look like a professional on the page.

  • Paul Zeidman

Extra Goodies

Added to this day of intense breakout sessions is admission to the evening Keynote with Tommy Orange from 7-8 pm.
Join us after for our Sips & Stories After Dark book signing event from 8-10 pm and imbibe a glass of top-tier California vino (or hot chocolate) while getting signed copies of books directly from the authors for everyone on your gift list for the year! With nearly a hundred authors on site, this is an unparalleled opportunity to connect and join a fandom. This evening event is free and open to the public.