What we’re about
Screenwriting Tribe is a workshop consisting of screenwriters helping each other to polish their scripts.
We workshop feature film, short film, episodic series, anthology series, limited/mini series, and serial series scripts.
We also workshop single-cam (non-audience) sit-com scripts (such as Modern Family, Black-ish, Jane the Virgin, and American Housewife).
We do not workshop multi-cam (studio audience) sit-com scripts.
We do not workshop musicals.
We do not workshop scripts rated NC-17 or X.
Screenwriting Tribe workshop is held on Zoom Sundays from 7 P.M. to 9:15-ish P.M. Sometimes, we also have in-person workshops on Sundays.
Before the pandemic, we met in person, in a performance space in Santa Monica. And in the morning at a closed bookstore on La Cienega.
Since the pandemic, we have been conducting the workshop on Zoom, which has brought in people from other parts of the globe.
During each workshop, we read up to 12 standard formatted pages from 4 scripts written by 4 writers who are in attendance at the workshop.
Up to 17 people can participate in the workshop by RSVPing to the MeetUp page.
The first four writers who RSVP and write the word "pages" as a comment, get to have their pages read.
Each of the 4 writers introduces their script, usually telling us a logline, the era, location, and other basic elements. They assign roles to the readers, and assign one person to be the narrator, which involves reading the scene headings and description.
We read the pages out loud. Followed by verbal feedback.
Then, we go to the next set of 12 pages.
The writer whose pages are being read is to remain silent during the read, and during the feedback. They listen and take notes. They are not to be defensive, or to answer questions. Any questions they might receive during feedback should be considered hypothetical.
Writers can exchange contact information to discuss their scripts with each other, or to read each other's scripts.
Before signing up to bring in script pages to be workshopped, writers:
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Must attend at least 3 meetings to observe how the workshop functions. AND...
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OWN the three books:
"Screenplay Repair Manual" - by Daniel "John" Carey
"The Screenwriter's Bible" - by David Trottier
and "Dr. Format Tells All" - by David Trottier
To workshop pages, you need to show that you own the books.
If you are writing for TV, please study at least 3 books about TV writing.
To avoid spending the meeting time having the members repeatedly pointing out the same formatting errors to each writer, those workshopping pages should study the books.
If you do not want to do the homework, then Screenwriting Tribe is not for you.
Script pages presented at Tribe need to be in 12 point courier type face with correct margins. Most of the writers use Final Draft screenwriting software.
It is understandable that script pages brought to the workshop will not be flawless, and are works in progress needing to be polished. However, writers shouldn't solely rely on Tribe feedback to polish their scripts. They should do their homework, including by reading books, reading screenwriting articles, watching YouTube videos about screenwriting, and taking other steps to learn the craft of screenwriting.
Writers should do the best they can with their scripts, before workshopping them, and show improvement with each consecutive set of pages.
Tribe is specifically meant for writers to polish their scripts so the scripts will be presentable to agents, managers, directors, studio readers, producers, development executives, financiers, actors, contests, and studio writing and fellowship programs.
Trying to make it as a screenwriter can be quite a game. Screenplays are often quickly dismissed because they are sent out before being polished.
Taking your script through Tribe workshop to help polish it is one way to prevent your script from being quickly dismissed.
After you have workshopped every page, have the script edited. A couple of members of Tribe are screenplay editors.
The two-hour workshop is a minimum of $5 per person. This is to cover the various expenses associated with running the workshop. It's not meant to be a money-making venture.
You will not learn everything that you need to learn about screenwriting by attending a workshop.
Check the screenwriting books sections in your local library and bookstore. Also, study books including "What Happens Next: A History of American Screenwriting," "In the Blink of an Eye: A Perspective on Film Editing." Read a book or three about the history of film, film directing, and film editing. Read "The Hero with a Thousand Faces," "The Power of Myth," "The Writer's Journey," "Man and His Symbols," "The Emotional Craft of Fiction," and "The Art of Dramatic Writing."
There are thousands of people trying to get their screenplays produced. Make sure your scripts are sharp and commercial enough to compete in the marketplace.
