Update: 2016 Black List Screenwriters Lab
When: October 16–22, 2016
Where: Los Angeles
Cost: All expenses paid
Information: Here.
NOTE: THE EVALUATIONS DEADLINE IS AUGUST 6TH!
I have participated in all eight Black List screenwriting labs and each has been a tremendous experience. You can read testimonials from participating writers below:
I am scheduled to be a mentor once again in the October session in Los Angeles. A few observations about what it’s been like for writers to work with me in these sessions:
“A very special thank you to Scott Myers, the ultimate screenwriting guru. You are amazing!” — Jennifer Noonan (Athena Film Festival)
“We were able to dive into the scripts in our first workshop with Scott, who challenged and guided us in discovering the core elements of our own stories. He had this zen master ability to get us to look at our script from different angles, which led to us being honest with ourselves on what we felt were the strengths and weaknesses in the scripts, as well as ‘why?’ we were writing these stories.” — Mark Fleming (Chicago)
“We ended the lab with a group workshop led by Scott. Together we sifted through the feedback we had been given and then added feedback for each other. Scott took us through some writing techniques, strategies, and theories. I found his notes illuminating and helpful in clarifying questions I had about all the feedback I was given over the course of two days.” — Chloe Hung (Los Angeles)
“Then, in our wrap-up session with Scott Myers, we discussed the mentor advice and our comments on each other’s scripts. Scott pulled together all the information, focused our attention, and brought home the obligation we have to develop a character’s needs and the journey to achieve them. Teacher, mentor, philosophical guru — he gently and gradually brought us from a place of disorientation to a place of clarity. The experience was like being cocooned inside a supportive and nurturing environment. Nothing existed outside the lab — only the story and only the writing mattered.” — Yvonne Paulin (New York)
“We also were given the opportunity to workshop each other’s scripts with the awesome Scott Myers as our moderator. Scott’s approach was both systematic and personal. Scott asked a series of thought-provoking questions, which later aided us in discussing our personal ties to the scripts at present and to the stories we ultimately wanted to tell with them.” — Elizabeth Oyebode (San Francisco)
“A quick word about Scott. I’ve long-appreciated the work he does on GoIntoTheStory, especially his 1, 2, 7, 14 technique and his Definitive Spec Script Deals List. And that passion that fuels the blog is so totally evident when you meet him in person. Being around Scott reminds you that telling stories is one of the most wondrous and life-enhancing things human beings do. It’s an infectious enthusiasm that set the perfect tone for our in-depth workshop sessions. And he didn’t just focus on our current scripts but the next idea, the next story, the next step on your journey towards an actual writing career. Had his passport mysteriously disappeared on the final evening, thereby prolonging his stay in Canada for a few more days years, I can think of four writers who would have been very, very happy.” — Stephen Davis (Toronto)
The work I do at Go Into The Story and Screenwriting Master Class is the same as my involvement as a mentor at Black List screenwriting labs. I am full-tilt and on-board to help writers realize their highest creative ambitions. That’s one big reason why I’m excited about this upcoming event in October.
If you have questions about the 2016 Black List Screenwriters Lab, here are some helpful links:
- What’s the deal with the Black List Feature Screenwriters Lab?
- What exactly happens in a screenwriters lab?
- I’d like to be considered for the 2016 Black List Lab! How do I do that?
- When’s the deadline?
- How will the scripts be evaluated?
- Is this a case where the person who buys the most evaluations will be invited to the Lab?
- Can I submit multiple scripts to be considered for the Labs?
- Do I have to workshop the script that got me selected for the Labs or can I workshop something new?
- My script was on the site a while ago, but I took it down to work on a rewrite. Does a script have to be live on the site to be considered?
- Why Los Angeles?
- Does all expenses paid really mean all expenses paid?
- I live outside the U.S. Can I still apply?
- How can I apply to be a Sloan or Brockman fellow as a part of the lab?
- Okay, okay, I’d like to be considered for the Black List Labs! How do I do that?
Quick reminder. I don’t get paid for anything I do with the Black List, so in promoting these labs, I do it because I am passionate about working with writers, helping them dig into their stories as well as explore the creative aspects of who they are. It is incredibly gratifying to see Black List lab writers I have worked with go on to success like Simon Nagle, Savion Einstein, and many others. Hopefully these stories will translate into something we see in movie theaters because now more than ever, we need new, fresh, and diverse voices in Hollywood.
If you are so inclined, check out the October session of the Black List Screenwriters Lab. I hope to have the opportunity to work with you.
Onward!