Screenwriter's Notice - Screenwriting Expo 5 in LA, October 2006

If you're a screenwriter and looking for expert assistance and seminars, reference materials, or just want to socialize with other screenwriters, take note of this event.

CreativeScreenwriting magazine, a major source for screenwriters over the past 12 years, is sponsoring Expo5, for film, television, and animation writers, in Los Angeles, October 19-22, 2006. If you live in Southern California, or expect to be there then, it's certainly worth considering.

During this four-day event, there will be opportunities to learn storytelling from Pixar writers, pitch your works to production companies and studios, learn ways to enhance your writing and career-building skills, submit to a screenwriting competition, and network with people of similar interests.

More than 80 classes will be offered in various aspects of screenplay writing, selling, directing, and producing. There will be about 20 panel discussions on major topics of interest, such as different markets (urban, Latino, teen, Christian, family film, and branded entertainment).

The price is really not unreasonable (excluding transportation and hotels, if they're necessary). For US$299.95, you can get the Gold Pass, which includes all seminars and luncheons, except for the Pitch events. If you're more selective, there is a US$74.95 basic registration fee, plus $4 per seminar or panel discussion. And if you're unable to get there at all, DVDs will be available after the event.

These events may not be for everybody, but can certainly be of value for education, validation, and seeing what's going on in the world of Hollywood scriptwriting.