Is the Screenwriting Expo any good?
My question is about the Screenwriting Expo and other industry seminars. I realize that you are speaking this year, but is it really a worthwhile event? It seems like just another one of the money-sucks preying on desperate fledgling writers. Thanks!
– Corey
Los Angeles, CA
To be honest, I don’t know if the Screenwriting Expo is any good or not. I’ve never been, so I can’t vouch for it. I suspect some of you readers out there have been to it, and can give Corey the thumbs-up or thumbs-down.
I’m one of the “Guests of Honor” at this year’s Expo, along with a bunch of other really good screenwriters. I’m not on a panel per se, nor am I teaching a workshop. Rather, I guess I’m just a featured speaker, or doing a Q & A.
I guess I should ask. I really have no idea.
Public speaking used to terrify me, but I’ve gotten a lot better at it over the past few years. Some of that’s just from success; it’s a lot easier to speak to an audience that’s actually interested in what you’re saying. But a fair amount of it is just practice. I’ve survived enough panels, roundtables and TV interviews that the experience isn’t as intimidating as it used to be.
Whatever it is I’m doing at the Expo, it happens at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 11th, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The event is listed as being free, so I assume you don’t have to register for the whole thing if you just want to come see me talk.
In general, I don’t speak at anything that charges a fee, unless it’s part of a larger film festival. I recognize that’s a fairly arbitrary rule, since I do speak to university classes, and college tuition can run $30,000 per year. But, like you Corey, I’m troubled and annoyed by the commercialization of screenwriter education. USC or UCLA might be expensive, but I don’t believe they’re profiting on false hopes and unrealistic expectations.
If any readers do come to my thing at the Expo, don’t be shy. Introduce yourself. The few minutes after a talk are always chaotic, with a bunch of awkward hand-shaking, but I’m happy to do it.
Articles
October 6th, 2005 at 12:58 pm
I attended the Expo last year and came away thinking that it was very good for me. Understand that while I have something of a background in short-story writing, I registered having never written a screenplay before, and thus found benefit in numerous workshops. That said, I still found myself gravitating to some of the more advanced workshops just because I needed more substantive content. For those now beginning, it will be a great start. For you more experienced scribes, sign up for the the advanced sessions, featured speakers and Q&A sessions. A great advantage, especially if you live outside of L.A., are all networking receptions and parties for which additional fees apply. Yes, it’s money, but relationships matter as you’re all aware. Even if you don’t go to a single workshop, but have polished work ready to be read, the fees pale in comparison to the gains to be had by getting the script in the right hands.
One clarification – While John’s session may be deemed “free”, this denotes that no further fees apply to those who have alredy registered for the Expo. In other words, it’s not available to the public at large unless they’ve changed it this year.
And yes, voy a introducirme at ti John, siendo que he leido sus sugerencies durante el ano pasado sin excepcion. Hasta que nos conocemos!
October 6th, 2005 at 2:40 pm
Hi John,
I think the Expo is very good value for money. I’m not too sure about the networking stuff, which is very expensive (from what I can tell about the industry, that’s not how studios and production companies get their material). I’ll be there for most if not all of it and I’ll say “howdy” if I get a chance to meet you after your talk.
Cheers, Gary
October 6th, 2005 at 4:51 pm
I attended the Screenwriting Expo and I thought it was a great value. Normally guys like Michael Hauge and David Freeman charge huge amounts for their all inclusive workshops, but for $75.00 plus parking (and you get a free magazine subscription), you get to hear at least some of what those guys teach. If you have good stamina, you can go to event after event (each is about an hour and half or so) and hear a lot of different people. And you can talk to them afterward, like John said, though I hear too many questions like “How do I break in?”
October 6th, 2005 at 7:53 pm
I attended one of the Expos — either the first or second, I can’t remember which — and found it a mixed bag.
Some of the seminars were genuinely useful, while others were basically meritless. In general, the more a seminar’s description sounds like marketing hype (”Learn 5 adjectives that make your script edgy!” “Sure-fire strategies for making the studio reader lust for your third-act twist!”) the less worthwhile it will be. The seminars and roundtables I found most useful were on maintaining sanity and perspective in life while attempting to break in as a screenwriter, rather than on craft per se.
I haven’t returned to the expo, and am not planning to go this year, so maybe that should speak for itself. Each year I weigh the amount of time it would take up and figure that time would be better spent actually writing.
October 6th, 2005 at 8:07 pm
Gone to all 3 Expo’s…going to the fourth. Good hotel discount, great “free” speakers, a lot of networking, and a chance to either “be in L.A.”, or be around a buzzing area for 3 days + the Sherwood Oaks events. Go. Enjoy. Don’t take anything too seriously. Listen. Take notes. REALLY listen to the guest speakers and party like a mothafucka. John, I will look you up and we’re having a drink. Cheers.
October 6th, 2005 at 9:39 pm
Hell, if I go, I’m looking up Rich.
October 6th, 2005 at 10:03 pm
Nice little thread on this topic at Done Deal:
http://scriptsales.com/boards/showthread.php?t=11423
It compares the Expo to The Austin Film Festival, but I think you can still get a feel of what to expect.
Of course, I’ll be at Austin again this year. Anyone else going?
October 7th, 2005 at 1:28 am
I really loved the Expo last year, when I attended, and like the other readers here, felt it offers by far the best value for the money out there. This year I’ll be returning as a presenter of two seminars, both on Sunday (one at 8 AM — ugh). I too would love to meet as many of you as possible, and John, I really look forward to catching up with you at some point and finally meeting you in person. BTW, do you expect to be attending or hanging out at any other point over the weekend, or just planning to be there for your event alone?
October 7th, 2005 at 7:23 am
I went to the Expo last year and really enjoyed it. I took in some of their craft, pitch and business workshops and found them all helpful and entertaining. Richard Walter, in particular, was a very fun and energetic speaker. I took a couple of his seminars and dug ‘em a lot.
The main reason I went was to take part in their cattle call pitch sessions. The way they run the pitch sessions is pretty convoluted – they form a line and then send you into a very large room to wander about until you find the rep you’re pitching to. You only have two minutes which start from the time they open the doors and not from the time you sit down. This can be really bad if you’re rep is in the back of the room. That two minutes suddenly shrinks to a minute.
Overall I enjoyed the experience and wished I was going this year, but found myself caught up in other things and couldn’t make the necessary plans.
October 7th, 2005 at 11:18 am
Isn’t it all about “false hopes and unrealistic expectations?” The overwhelming majority of screenwriting graduates, even from USC and UCLA, will never become John Augusts–nor even work at all. Though this is an ugly reality lurking in the background, it isn’t something even the top film schools will ever dwell upon. Do they parade in alumni to talk about how much it sucks working at Baskin Robbins? No. You get Alexander Payne in a loosened bowtie the morning after the Oscars. On the other hand, what I loved most about going was how fabulous it felt just to make it that far. That and a chance to concentrate on my work exclusively. If I never do anything more, going through (one of) the world’s best screenwriting program(s) dealt me into the game, however briefly. As for what happens next, you might want to check out my blog, “THINGS THEY WON’T TELL YOU IN FILM SCHOOL
October 7th, 2005 at 12:17 pm
True our chances of being someone like John August are small in life after film school. But film school did give me the tools to make a movie of my own and the chance to find my tribe. The group of friends/collaborators who would make the whole experience fantastic and possible. USC cost a whole helluva a lot of money, I don’t when I’ll pay off those loans, but it taught me things I’m still coming to understand.
October 7th, 2005 at 12:36 pm
I’m a filmmaker who moved to LA two years ago. I’ve had a script optioned, made a short and now have two scripts that people are actually reading – amazing. Nothing’s happening yet, but hey, can’t have everything.
So, given that background, when I attended the expo last year I found the “free” guest speakers to be great – how often do you get to see Aaron Sorkin and Bill Goldman interview each other? I went to as many of them as my ass could take – gotta get up and move around SOMEtime.
The “classes” on the other hand – not good. I went to some “pro” level classes and in one actually heard: “How many times can I use italics in my script?”
“Three.” Hard to believe this would be asked, let alone answered like that in a “pro” class. I think most writers would be better served by reading some good books like “Story” and “How NOT to Write a Screenplay” or better yet, by reading a ton of scripts.
Anyway, $75 to see a bunch of working writers talk about their experiences in the “free” sessions is a good deal in my book. It’s entertaining and informative, although don’t expect to sell a script there.
October 7th, 2005 at 12:46 pm
Would it possible for anyone attending to record an event or two for BEG level, John could you maybe setup your digital camera to record some of what you have to say?
October 7th, 2005 at 6:29 pm
I know that they sell a DVD of all of the feature speakers. My own little camera would be intolerably awful, but I’ll check what the deal is with transcripts and such.
October 7th, 2005 at 7:33 pm
I have nothing to hide. I’ll be the guy at the Fig bar when it’s not f*** over-run with the Expo’s pay-to-play parties, or at the Holiday Inn Bar with curly black hair, great smile, and the good looks that make women want to enter, and men wonder. Come see me for a drink.
DO NOT EXPECT TO SELL A SCRIPT IS CORRECT! but get off your horse, get into the pit, learn from EVERYONE, and soak it up. Everyone wants to sell you a book (except John???), don’t buy any. Listen to free speakers and take notes.
I’m in the middle of a re-write. See you there. Bring your A-game, contacts, dress decent, and sex appeal.
boyah.
October 8th, 2005 at 8:12 pm
I too will not be hawking any books at my seminars! Or at least none of my own, though I may recommend one or two.
And another thing to remember about the Expo is that, it’s fun! 3 days of fun and hanging with other screenwriters of varying degrees of success. Great place to meet people and forge friendships, or catch up with old friends as well.
October 9th, 2005 at 12:22 am
I skipped last year, but I’m going again this year (went to the first 2). I’m going to see Whedon. And Sorkin. And August. Oh and Tim Minear’s doing a workshop. (8 bucks, if it isn’t sold out — 3 hours!) The best part is meeting all of the other wide-eyed optimists. The worst part is seeing how many there are trying to do the exact same thing you are. Still, I find the event invigorating. I tend to stay away from the Pitchfests and anyone who is selling a book or sells seminars. Stick to the UCLA/USC instructors, the actual writers (you can always look up people on imdb or google, people to determine if they’ve ever sold anything), and some of the more offbeat sessions (including Fun Joel — I don’t think they’ve ever done a reader session before!) Networking parties are hit or miss…depends on if you are really good at networking.
Anyway, I’ll be there all 3 days. I’ll say howdy to you, John. :-)
October 9th, 2005 at 2:48 am
Is that a new walpaper in the background of your page? Looks killer. I really like it.
October 9th, 2005 at 7:30 am
Thanks Shawna! Looking forward to seeing you again there.
October 9th, 2005 at 8:02 am
“Do they parade in alumni to talk about how much it sucks working at Baskin Robbins?”
Yeah – that’s my big problem with MFA In Screenwriting programs. If you don’t make it in the industry, you’re pretty much screwed. There you are, in your late twenties, with a huge debt load and a degree that’s worthless in the job market. At least if you do your degree in creative writing you can get a job teaching high school or – if you’re lucky – in another MFA program…
October 9th, 2005 at 5:35 pm
The expo was good.
October 10th, 2005 at 7:40 am
I went for the first time last year, and went to the classes, which I didn’t find terribly useful. I’ve got an MFA from UCLA, and didn’t hear much I didn’t already know. I walked out on one seminar, which was supposed to be about pleasing the reader but spent the first half hour talking about writing slug lines. I was also too nervous to enjoy last year’s Expo, as I was one of the finalists in the contest (I won the grand prize, so it was worth it in the end).
This year I’m going to the speakers. That, I think, will be well worth the drive downtown.
October 13th, 2005 at 5:42 pm
There was a serendipitous slowdown at my paying job that left the time open to go to Expo 4 so I carped the diem and signed up for pretty much everything that a fella can sign up for. If I’m taking the time to travel down there from Middle of Nowhere, British Columbia then I am going to dive in at the deep end. I’m not going with expectations of signing the big deal since I can’t recall any deals coming out of these sort of fests… what it will do is give me a chance to work my schmooze muscle… which isn’t near as dirty or fun as it sounds.
I have blocked out Mr. August’s session on my itinerary and Joss is a must see (I’ll try not to be too fanboy geek but the man is the reason I want to writer television). As well, there was still room in “Breaking the Story” with Tim Minear and I am really looking forward to that. I hope the fact that it wasn’t full yet is because they didn’t have it in the catalog and not because there is a 300 seat auditorium to fill.
October 16th, 2005 at 3:33 am
Hello from Finland (Europe)!
I’m also going to be there from Thursday evening (the pre-expo party) til Sunday + attend “I’ve heard all the lectures….” on Monday and Sony studio day on Tuesday. Since I come so far, this is my first time in LA and I’m all alone (sob), I would be more than grateful if any nice screenwriters (or even less nice ones) would like to come to say hello to me. Check my comic-blog and you’ll surely recognize me. ( http://www.dramageek.net — picture and other info in English: http://www.kolumbus.fi/katri.manninen/english.html )
I was also wondering which lectures should I go to. John’s Q & A, of course, Goldman, Whedon etc too, but I have a little bit mixed feelings about the rest of the program. Some of the lectures sound interesting, but as a film school graduate I know how most of the lecture/course descriptions usually sound much better than the actual lecture/course is…
Well, I’ll definitely go now to check if there’s any room at Tim Minear’s lecture. Any other good lectures you could recommend? John — I’m also interested to know, if you are going to attend any evening parties or such, since I suppose it would be much less disturbing to greet you there than right after your Q & A, or would it?
Hope to see you al there!
Love, Katri from Finland
November 15th, 2005 at 3:01 pm
Hi John- Went to this year’s expo and had the best time ever. Rarely would I have the opportunity to hear John August, Don Roos, and Tom Arnold speak with such insight.
Even cooler…I got to say hi and thank you personally for answering my question from way back about the proper attire for a writer taking a meeting. The little stuff like that has really helped me be more secure as I go after creating a career in screenwriting.
Thanks again! –Cheryl from Lodi, CA
September 29th, 2006 at 6:05 pm
If you miss the Expo, would like to see Michael Hauge or one of the other pros and live in LA, I recommend The Learning Annex. I took a three-hour course with Michael Hauge for 99 bucks and it was totally worth it. There’s also UCLA’s Writers’ Program which is wonderful. I’ve gotten a great education in a short period of time. Of course, you can also go to screenwritingexpo.com to purchase DVDs from last year for about 20 bucks. Surf the Web and look at your options. There are many out there.
October 18th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Here’s my question. After the Expo, did you leave with a burning ambition to write? I mean, that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? Getting us to sit down and get the thing written. You’ve had a year. Have you been productive? Is it written?
March 14th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Went to the Expo last year and had 17 companies express interest in my screenplay. Out of the 17, only 3 requested a copy of the script, and to date . . . two are still “considering it”. Is the Expo worth it? Yeah, if nothing else, for the chance to practice your pitch, and to find out if you are writing anything that interests producers. The classes are mostly crap. The only one interesting was Viki King. Most are trying to sell their books or seminars . . . The ones I’m looking forward to meeting this year are Blake Snyder and Dave Trottier. They are the gold standard in teaching, at least in my opinion. Bottom line, it’s a great experience for a relatively low cost – and yes, I left wanting to write more.