Reflections of 1st Annual Black List / Women In Film Feature Writers Lab Participants

6 writers reflect on their experience in recent writers lab in L.A.

From February 18–24, 2018, six screenwriters gathered in Los Angeles for the 1st Annual Black List / Women In Film Feature Writers Lab. The writers — Déjà Bernhardt, Debbie Castanha, Jessica Ellis, Natasha Lewin, Lise Pyles, and Cat Youell — had been selected on the basis of scripts they had uploaded to the Black List website and a personal statement about the story they were writing as well as their creative aspirations.

During the week, they attended several events including a special screening of the movie Nancy, dinner with the movie’s writer-director Christina Choe, a Q&A with Women In Film president Cathy Schulman, a pitch session with Lindsay Doran, a Q&A with screenwriter and TV writer-producer Aline Brosh McKenna, one-on-one general meetings with studio and production executives, and much more.

The core of the week, however, was to analyze, develop, and workshop the writers’ scripts. They began with a group session which I moderated, giving the writers an opportunity to reflect on their stories — what their original inspiration was, what their emotional connection to the material is, what works, and what doesn’t work — and prepare them for their mentor meetings.

And what a group of mentors! Amy Baer (Founder, Gidden Media), Tonia Davis (VP of Film, Chernin Entertainment), Dana Fox (HOW TO BE SINGLE), Maryam Keshavars (CIRCUMSTANCE), Graham Moore (THE IMITATION GAME), Amanda Silver (WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES), Kiwi Smith (LEGALLY BLONDE), and myself. Plus, a Q&A with Black List founder Franklin Leonard.

Over the course of two days, each writer met with mentors for 90–120 minute long sessions. We capped off the week with a group meeting which I led in which together we workshopped each writer’s story with a goal of providing a path forward into and through the rewriting process.

All in all, it was a remarkable week. Here are some reflections from the participating writers on their experience.

It’s already been a couple weeks since the conclusion of the inaugural Blacklist & Women in Film Lab and I feel like I’m still absorbing the information, feedback, experiences, friendships and pounds I gained during. Since this lab was just for female writers I was able to be part of something I never have in another lab and something that is very rare in our industry. The camaraderie that we were able to build within just one week was worth a college screenwriting degree in many ways; especially in terms of relationship building.

Scott’s incubator on story, character and theme were invaluable. He reminds even those who are familiar with his lessons, the very fundamental elements that are important to story, which reminds you why you started your project in the first place and where you might have gotten off track and lost sight of that inspiration.

The mentors were all incredibly generous with their time, feedback and resources. They each took the time to read our stories and spend ample time with us individually to discuss them from their perspective, whether it be related to creative process or professional advice. Besides our mentors, we were lucky enough to have amazing guest speakers like Lindsay Doran, who prepped us on the art of pitching and Aline Brosh McKenna, who reminded us, as women, to stop asking permission and quit apologizing for being in the room.

Our hosts from the Black list and Women in Film have, much like our fellow participants, become family. I truly feel connected to the Blacklist and Women in Film Family and feel honored to be part of the first group of all female lab participants through these two powerful organizations. It’s a testament to where we are headed as an industry and to those who are leaning in — doing so much good, which is most important because we are in a time where there is a lot of pointing out what is wrong in our industry.

I think the biggest take away for me was validation that what I am doing with each day of my life is important. It’s rare you get that confirmation in the lonely career path of writing indie features.

As for my fellow participants…what a refreshing group of diverse female writers with diverse stories and storytelling abilities! It’s always in others work that I learn most about myself as a writer and I can’t begin to say how much I learned from my peers and their projects! It’s most important for me to reflect on what can be done in a room of diverse, yet likeminded, creative, women in just one week. And the particular kind of inspiration that sprouts from this kind of space that the Blacklist and Women in Film have created for us. So, thank you so very much!

I would encourage every interested writer to enter into the Blacklist/WIF Lab next year and I’ll see you there because one of the coolest things the Lab does is bring you back to meet the following years participants and stay connected through doing so. Did I mention how much uninhibited fun we had? How amazingly delicious and well thought out the food and wine was? I’m not sure what was the best moment from the week but it was somewhere between finding out each other’s intricate quirks and something I can’t say on this blog and/or may or may not remember… Besides all the hard work and grind of the week, it was a pure celebration of talent and creativity and how often do we get to celebrate ourselves like that?

The idea that ‘we’re better together’ is one that I gravitate to. Whether it’s two people, a society, or an entire world, one’s weakness can be complemented by the strength of others. As Jerry Maguire aptly put it, “You complete me” — in this case, “you” being the whole world.

That theme was demonstrated at the Black List Women In Film Feature Lab, and in the kindness and generosity of the Black List team, Women in Film, all the talented mentors, and go90.

After years of just being me and my supportive world wide web of screenwriters from Pittsburgh to Portland and Mexico to England, I enjoyed the camaraderie of the other Lab participants, and the opportunity to speak with professionals and working writers in Hollywood.

And you know what? They’re just like you and me! (Though obviously, much more successful.) But honestly, they’re geeky about craft and passionate about their next project. They like to spitball with their friends and to try new ideas and platforms. They fail sometimes but they move on. And thankfully, they give back.

My takeaways are: There are no rules but to write a great script. Finish that damn script — then, write another. Trust yourself, and know that you aren’t alone. Become better from those around you — their compassion, creativity, their intelligence and unique perspective. Help others, and you might find that you too grow in the process … because as I like to say, we’re better together.

It’s very difficult to join something like the Black List/WIF feature writers lab when in fact, you know you are the worst writer in the world, and everyone will hate you, and your script makes you look like a dancing goat in a group of serene swans. But by the end of your first 17 course dinner together, you’ll actually realize you’re going to get as much out of this experience as you put into it, and you better get cracking.

After several years of a plodding pattern of scripts almost seeing the light of day, I desperately needed some sort of rejuvenation, and steeping in the sheer creativity of the Lab worked like a charm. With incredible support and camaraderie from the staff, mentors, and participants alike, I came out bursting with new ideas for rewrites and future projects. Additionally, the lab gives you a new network and writing family, something worth its weight in gold in this business. You WILL feel like an imposter, and you WILL be able to laugh about that with your new friends by the end of the week.

If I could preserve this week in amber, I would. Memories would be magically locked in this sunny gold lump, to be turned over in my hand and re-lived in my mind. Yes, my week in “the lab” was that good.

With apologies to those who would prefer not to be trapped in fossilized tree resin, this amber lump would reveal: my talented fellow lab cohorts, with whom I feel forever bonded; Black List and Women in Film staff who kept our group on the move with events, food, and even a lot of laughs from morning to night; and of course, the workshop mentors, who provided that special glow. Can there be anything better personal sessions with industry professionals? I’m not talking about casual hallway chats. I mean thoughtful sit-downs with mentors, who shared insights, guidance and their time, based on our individual scripts and needs.

Screenwriters mostly live on sparse validation, and at times I have felt quite foolish for taking myself seriously. (Just who do I think I am?) But then comes an experience that changes everything. This week workshopped not just my script, but me. I am walking taller, writing more, and writing with more determination and professionalism than ever. And that is truly golden.

The lab completely exceeded any and all expectations I had going in. I was absolutely blown away by the caliber of mentors and industry professionals who met with us and amazed that these people had read my script (and were professing to like it!)!

The feedback was invaluable for how I proceed with my rewrite. The group sessions raised questions I had never thought about, and the mentors dug in even deeper, giving encouragement, eye-opening insights, and helpful practical advice. In addition to script notes, their career guidance ranged from actual next steps I can take and people I can contact, to just as important validation and encouragement to follow my passions, despite genres or the box that the world may try to put me in.

After all of that each day, to be able to share in some of the most amazing meals of my life (Romanesco en Croute anyone?!?) with some of the most compelling women I’ve ever met? Sign me up to go back in a heartbeat. None of this would have been possible either without the tireless efforts of the amazing WIF and Black List crews, who welcomed us into the family and made us feel taken care of from the moment we walked in the door. I loved hearing everyone’s stories each night as we got to know each other, and I went through withdrawal for at least a week after we all split up. I greatly look forward to the community we have and the scripts we will continue to share with each other in the future.

Overall, the experience is really unable to be put into words. The validation to be seen and held up as a legitimate writer, not just one struggling to jump start a career, has changed my confidence and allowed me to (at least temporarily) quit my day job to give my writing the best shot possible. Thank you Black List and Women in Film!

Since brevity is the soul of wit, here’s my recap…. in haiku form.

Dearest Hollywood
A renewed writer am I
Black List Fellowship

From my perspective, it was tremendous experience. The diversity of the writers in terms of their backgrounds and stories made for some fascinating discussions, the ideas and brainstorming coming fast and furious. I look forward to seeing where these six talented writers take their scripts.

This was my 11th Black List writing lab and in fact, I’ve been a part of every single one of the feature-writing events the Black List has hosted. You can read reflections by participants in previous sessions below:

Las Vegas (September 2013)
New York (May 2015)
Toronto (September 2015)
Chicago (October 2015)
San Francisco (October 2015)
Los Angeles (November 2015)
Athena Film Festival (February 2016)
Los Angeles (November 2016)
Los Angeles (October 2016)

Kudos yet again to the Black List for providing educational opportunities for writers outside the Hollywood system to deepen their understanding of the craft and take their scripted projects to the next level.

Check out the Black List for more such opportunities.