2017 Annual Black List Feature Screenwriters Lab

Now open for submission for October 8–14, 2017 intensive writers workshop.

From the good folks at the Black List:

We are very pleased to announce that the opt-in period is now open for our 2017 Black List Feature Screenwriters Lab.
 
The Black List will invite six to eight promising non-professional writers to a weeklong, intensive writers workshop in Los Angeles, CA from October 8–14, 2017. All writers involved in the Lab will workshop one feature screenplay through one-on-one sessions with screenwriting mentors and in peer workshops. The weeklong program will also include attendance at several story-related events including screenings and Q&As with professional screenwriters and dinner with lit agents and managers.
 
The selection process will work like this:
 
The opt-in period will close at midnight on Sunday, August 27, 2017. On Monday, August 28, 2017, up to fifteen writers will be invited, based on the strength of their scripts as determined by the Black List, to submit a professional resume and one-page personal statement due on Thursday, August 31, 2017. From those personal statements, Lab screenwriting mentors and the Black List will select six to eight writers to participate in the Lab. Finalists will be notified on September 5, 2017.
 
Evaluations purchased before midnight on Thursday, July 27, 2017 will be guaranteed consideration. Please note, purchase of an evaluation is not required for consideration to participate in The Feature Lab. 
 
Air travel (coach class roundtrip flights within the continental United States) and accommodations will be provided by the Black List. If you are accepted into the Lab, you will be required to board in the provided accommodations for the duration of the program. The Feature Lab is a residential program.
 
Writers are also available to opt-in for the Sloan Fellowship being offered in 2017:

• The Black List’s 2017 Sloan Foundation Fellow at the 4th Annual Black List Feature Screenwriters Lab will be a science- and technology-focused writer with a science-rooted feature screenplay. Mentoring opportunities for the Sloan Fellow will continue throughout the year following the Lab. Writers will have the opportunity to be considered for this fellowship by selecting the “Sloan Foundation Fellow” option during the opt-in process.
• Writers applying for the Sloan Fellowship are encouraged to have a science advisor for the project. Scripts that are selected for the short list will be asked to submit the name and title of the advisor, a brief description of their scientific area of expertise, and a statement that he/or she has read the script and attests that it is accurate. Writers are encouraged to submit this information in advance of the short list announcement as well.

Beginning today, writers who meet the below criteria can opt their scripts into consideration for the Labs selection process during the uploading process or the “My Scripts” portion of the website:

• You are the sole and exclusive author of the feature screenplay submitted for consideration.
• You have not received more than $100K in aggregate to date as compensation for film or television writing work.
• If selected on August 28, 2017 as one of the up to fifteen writers invited to submit a professional resume and one page personal statement for additional consideration, you will deliver that personal statement by noon PST on August 31, 2017.
• If selected for participation in the Lab program on September 5, 2017, you are available to participate in the Lab program in Los Angeles, CA on October 8–14, 2017.

Needless to say, we are excited by this opportunity to continue the educational work of the Black List with this singular opportunity to highlight and support up-and-coming television and film writing talent.
 
If you have any questions about the process, please check out our FAQ.
 
Make a note of the August 27th deadline and don’t miss your chance. We look forward to seeing you in Los Angeles this fall!
 
The Black List

This will be the 4th Black List Feature Screenwriters Lab to go along with 5 mini-labs hosted in 2015. I have been a mentor at each one and am happy to report I will be participating again at this year’s event. Mentors at previous labs include Jessica Bendinger, Max Borenstein, Stephany Folsom, Derek Haas, Eric Heisserer, Brian Koppelman, Graham Moore, Billy Ray, Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith, and Beau Willimon.

To get a sense of how impactful these labs have been for participating writers, go here to read observations from past selectees.

To learn more about the 2017 Black List Feature Screenwriters Lab, go here.

Hope to see you there!