On September 15-18, 2011, the Screenwriting Expo returns for its 10th year bringing with it opportunities for screenwriters to pitch top producers, development execs, agents and managers, and learn the most current writing techniques from their hit writing peers. Featuring over dozens of classes, workshops, Q&As, and panels, the Screenwriting Expo is a must-attend event for anyone serious about a career in writing for film and television.
For the first time the Screenwriting Expo brings together some of the top executives in the business including Charlie Vignola, director of development for Bruckheimer Films, who shepherded the Pirates of the Caribbean series and several other hits to the screen; The Hangover producer Dan Goldberg, Enchanted producer Sunil Perkash, Immortals producer Joe LeFavi, Crash producer Brian Avery, and many more. In addition several agents will be on hand this year including successful reps from The Gersh Agency, plus Victoria Wisdom, Bruce Bartlett and others.
Vlas and Charley Parlapanides are speaking on Friday at 6pm
This year’s speakers include hit making writers, including Mark Fergus (Children of Men, Iron Man, Cowboys And Aliens), Ashley Miller & Zack Stentz (Thor, X-Men: First Class, Fringe), and Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (Spider-Man 2, “Smallville”), Shane Salerno (Armageddon, “Hawaii 5-0”), Kurt Wimmer (Salt), Vlas and Charley Parlapanides (Immortals), Ben Ripley (Source Code), Kevin Grevioux (Underworld films), Timothy Dowling (Just Go With It), Barnet Kellman (“The Middle”), Marlene King (“Pretty Little Liars”) and so many other top scribes!
Creative Screenwriting publisher Bill Donovan notes, “we are excited to have writers from 2011 blockbusters like Cowboys & Aliens, X-Men: First Class and Thor, along with great schmoozing opportunities for writers to meet top development exes, producers and agents, plus cutting edge content such as how to write convincing action heros, writing for micro-budgets, effectively crowdsourcing funding, and a topic that is on everyone’s minds but never taught before at the Expo – How to Write a Mind Blowing Sex Scene without going overboard.”
In addition to three packed days of seminars the Screenwriting Expo includes the Golden Pitch Festival, an exciting pitch event where writers meet one-on-one with the top execs from studios, A-list production companies, agencies, and management companies including Platinum Studios (Cowboys & Aliens), Samuel Goldwyn Films (The Whistleblower), Starz Network (“Torchwood,” “Spartacus”), Madhouse Entertainment (Country Strong, “Burn Notice”), Overbrook Entertainment (The Karate Kid, “Hawthorne”), Kaplan Perrone (Knowing) and many more. There will also be number of smaller, start-up production companies looking to break through with new writers. All of them are looking for specific projects and excited to meet with Expo attendees.
The Expo also features a popular exhibit area for companies and organizations that support the screenwriter’s craft. Confirmed exhibitors for 2011 include Final Draft, The Writers Store, Write Brothers, International Screenwriters Association, Alameda Writers Group, Maverick Buyer, LiteraryMovies.com, and Loglines, with more expected.
This year’s expo takes place at the union friendly Westin LAX Hotel from September 15-18. Registration is at http://screenwritingexpo.com/register.html. With sessions dedicated to every aspect of the craft and business of screenwriting and filmmaking, the Screenwriting Expo is a must attend event for writers serious about furthering their entertainment careers