About us
Screenwriting Tribe is a workshop consisting of screenwriters helping each other sharpen their screenplays.
Sometimes actors also show up to help read characters.
We do not workshop scripts rated NC-17 or X. Unfortunately, someone once brought in an X-rates script to the workshop. 👀😳
The workshop is held Sundays from 7 to 9:15-ish p.m.
During each workshop, we read up to 13 standard formatted pages from 4 scripts written by 4 writers who are in attendance at the workshop.
To atttend the workshop: RSVP to the MeetUp page.
The first four writers who RSVP and write the word "pages" as a comment, get to have their pages read.
Don't sign up for pages if you haven't RSVPd.
If you are not going to show up, please cancel your RSVP as soon as possible so the writers don't spend money to make copies of their script pages for you. Those who repeatedly RSVP and don't show up get blocked from the group.
Each of the 4 writers introduces their script, usually telling us a logline, the era, location, and other basic elements. They assign character roles to the readers, and assign one person to be the narrator to read the scene headings and description.
We read the pages out loud. Followed by verbal feedback. Written notes on the script pages are also encouraged - red pens are handed out at the workshop.
It is helpful for the writer whose pages are being read 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:
- First attend the workshop one time to observe how it functions. AND...
- OWN and study the three books:
"Screenplay Repair Manual"
"The Screenwriter's Bible"
and "Dr. Format Tells All"
If you are writing for TV, please also study books about TV writing.
Know that screenplays you find online might not be spec scripts, but contain other formatting. They might be pre-production (or scripts in some stage of development), production scripts (containing various types of annotations and scene headings), or published scripts. In the workshop we aim to write spec scripts (as detailed in the three books listed above).
To avoid spending the workshop time having the members repeatedly pointing out the same formatting errors to each writer, those workshopping pages should study the books, and take notes during the workshop to apply to their scripts.
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. Read the books, and take other steps to learn the craft of screenwriting.
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 a 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. We can refer you to a screenplay editor.
The two-hour workshop is not set up to be a money-making venture, but runs on attendee donations to cover the various expenses associated with running the workshop.
Check the screenwriting books sections in your local library and bookstore. Consider the books "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."
Write scripts film financiers want to invest in: screenplays that show some promise of commercial viability.
Write scripts producers want to produce, directors want to direct, actors want to act in, DPs want to lens, editors want to edit, distributors want to showcase, and audiences want to watch.
Upcoming events
1
Past events
517
