Reflections of 2017 Black List Feature Writer’s Lab Participants

6 writers. 7 mentors. 6 days. 1 incredible experience.

From October 8–14, 2017, six screenwriters gathered in Los Angeles for the 5th Annual Black List Feature Writers Lab. The writers — Paul J. da Silva, Dagny Looper, Jean Pesce, Wallaine Sarao, Ann Sloan, and Curt Zacharias — had been selected on the basis of scripts they had uploaded to the Black List website and a personal statement about the story they are writing as well as their creative aspirations.

It was an incredible week and a fantastic learning experience for the lab participants. Easy to see given the slate of professional screenwriters who served as mentors for the lab writers: Phil Hay (RIDE ALONG), Jamie Linden (WE ARE MARSHALL), Phyllis Nagy (CAROL), Allison Schroeder (HIDDEN FIGURES), Kiwi Smith (LEGALLY BLONDE), Tyger Williams (MENACE II SOCIETY), and myself.

I asked each writer to share some thoughts on their experience. Here they are!

Paul J. da Silva

The 2017 Black List Feature Writers’ Lab was one of the most intense experiences of my life. It was a fast-paced, frenzied, hectic week, jam-packed with amazing people, experiences, and opportunities. It was also incredibly enlightening, motivating, and inspiring, and well worth every sleep-deprived second.

I arrived at the swank West Hollywood digs to find a wonderfully diverse mix of fellow writers who had authored an equally eclectic group of scripts. Everything type of story, from period drama to magical realism, was covered. But despite differences of genre, the love of movies, the common desire to learn and write and create, and the sense of community fostered by the Black List made us all fast friends.

And welcoming us was the Black List Team — Franklin, who started it all; Kate, with an endless library of movies and music in her head; technical wizard Terry, juggling content, analytics, and statistics since the beginning; and the ever-present Megan, who coordinated everything down to the last detail and who ran the show like a pro, all while curating a boundless catalog of mentors, gurus, producers, and industry executives.

And what a catalog of talent it was! Writer/Producers Taylor Allen and Andrew Doran whispered the secrets of writing and producing their own Black List script over pizza and pasta in a private back room at Mozza. Top-tier screenwriters Jamie Linden, Kirsten Smith, Tyger Williams, Allison Schroeder, Phil Hay, and Phyllis Nagy read every one of our scripts and gave us each hours and hours of personal, one-on-one feedback at NeueHouse. Guest speakers at the our WeHo home base included Lindsay Doran, Will McCormack, and the incomparable Scott Myers. And between everything else, Franklin Leonard himself would appear to share his knowledge on everything from general meetings to studio development to the intersection of film and politics. Whatever the subject, Franklin ended every conversation the same way: with the assurance that he would always welcome any questions we had now or in the future. And all of this was just the tip of the iceberg — there were private screenings, industry field trips, pitching and development sessions, meetings with creative execs and development pros… and food. Lots and lots of food.

Soon — too soon — the whirlwind week was over. But I take solace in the fact that perhaps the most valuable commodity that the Black List Lab offered was what we took away from it. Notes. Insight. Experience. Encouragement. And the most important takeaway of all — the sense of community that we’d created from the camaraderie of my fellow writers and from the enthusiastic support of the Black List Family — is something that will stay with all of us forever.

Dagny Looper

Going into the one week Black List Labs is like stepping into a time bubble where you get to put your life on hold and revel in workshops: from pitching to generals, work with incredible mentors who take a deep dive into your script, get master class advice from Scott Myers (he is Yoda, listen to what Yoda says), and eat like you’ve never eaten before thanks to your den mama/new best friend Megan.

Did I mention that you’re going to stay in an insane West Hollywood house with a hot tub?

Well, cool, I didn’t mention it because you’ll probably be too knee-deep in your script to get in!

It’s hard to say what the best part of the Labs is. But I will say that the incredibly thoughtful and generous advice given to us by our writing mentors will be some of the most thought provoking and challenging writing advice you’ll ever get. Listen and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Keep an open mind and make friends with your fellow labbies — they are there for you and you’ll become incredibly close over just one week. Partake in the movie fandom talk that Terry, Kate and Leonard bring to every dinner.

This is adult writing camp beyond anything you could have possibly hoped for. This is film school packed into one intense week that is centered around not just improving your script but making you a better writer. This is the best experience I’ve ever had in my life as a writer. Enjoy!

Jean Pesce

When I heard that I would be staying in a Hollywood house with five other struggling screenwriters for one week, I wondered if I was entering into some sort of weird social experiment or Reality Show. But when I arrived, I was quickly put at ease. We were greeted by the instantly likable and hilarious Director of Events, Megan, who plowed us with delicious food and wine. The other “Lab Rats” were warm and friendly and just as nervous as I was! We spent a week workshopping our scripts with The Mentors — some of the most accomplished, brilliant working writers in Hollywood. The breadth of their generosity was staggering. They met with us one-on-one to go over our scripts and gave us insanely thoughtful, helpful notes. Back at our home base, we worked with the Black List Staff and the unparalleled Super-Brain, Scott Myers, where we analyzed the craft of screenwriting, character arch, structure, and pitching.

Now that it’s all over, I can say The Black List Lab was one of the most revelatory, intense, and galvanizing experiences of my whole life. It really did feel like a whole year of film school packed into a single week! I still can’t quite believe it. Not to cheese out too hard, but it’s rare in life to encounter this level of generosity, encouragement, and talent, and I am still overcome with gratitude. I feel like I emerged from the Lab with new friends and the invaluable support of the Black List Family. And for the first time ever, I felt the first glimmer of hope that we just might be able break into this crazy, seemingly impenetrable business. Oh, and did I mention the food? Megan knows her Los Angeles restaurants and we ate like royalty!

Wallaine Sarao

It was humbling. It was overwhelming. I was in awe of every person I met at the lab. I learned a lot about who I am, and of course, about writing.

What I was incredibly thankful for was the lab created a safe space for me to be completely honest and vulnerable. Telling my story, and delving into my life and the reason why I wrote Past Due was not easy. I remember sitting on the couch as Scott asked us one by one why we wrote what we wrote. I was last. As each person answered, I felt anxious and wanted to throw up. I was really scared, but a voice inside my head told me to run toward what caused me the greatest fear, and oh I did. I have never felt so embraced and encouraged to be who I am. I’m thankful this space and lab exists because throughout this lab I did the one thing I usually avoid doing when I meet people for the first time: I told the truth. It was liberating.

I learned so much about the craft of writing, story, and pitching, but I also learned so much about the people around me. It was incredible to open my life to these people. I’m so used to being alone as a writer that it was nice to have people around me who understood what it’s like to go through the writing process.

It was definitely an experience I’ll remember always.

Ann Sloan

How’s this for a story idea: “6 strangers armed with only their wits and a wifi password, are brought together for one week, under one roof, and must battle their nerves and each other until…only one…remains.” If the Black List Feature Lab were a movie, well, this would NOT be the logline because this was neither Gladiator nor Mad Max: Thunderdome. This was a deeply collaborative and transformative writing experience, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I was honored to be a part of. Sure, 6 writers entered the arena…but 6 writers emerged: more informed, more skilled, more enlightened and with a deeper understanding of ourselves and our stories.

Story genius Lindsay Doran taught us a valuable lesson at the Lab — what’s important at the end of a movie is not the victory of the lead character, what really matters is the moment they share the victory with someone they love. We, the 6 players in this year’s Lab, were able to share the accomplishments we achieved not only with each other, but with our brilliant mentors and our extraordinary Black List Team. Franklin, Megan, Terry and Kate along with our inspiring teacher Scott, have created the Hollywood feel-good story of the year. Seriously, someone needs to give them a statue.

Curt Zacharias

Being a part of the 2017 Black List Feature Lab not only changed the way I look at screenwriting, it changed me. I live the suburbs outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and writing for Hollywood felt like some intangible, far off dream. The moment I got off the plane I started to catch the buzz. I know that’s a cliche but after all, this was the place where our dreams, our stories, and our scripts were actually turned into movies. I no longer felt like some loner hacking away at his laptop in the middle of nowhere. I felt like I had a chance to make connections in an industry which at times can seem impenetrable.

For me the most amazing part was just being around other writers, people who shared my passion. It made me feel less alone and like I was a part of something bigger.

I’m so thankful for all the amazing advice I received, not only to make my script stronger, but also more practical lessons, like how to take a meeting, pitch an idea, network, and sell myself as well as my script, all stuff that most gurus and screenwriting books never get into.

Having extremely talented professional writers take the time to dig deep into my script was intimidating but also one of the most valuable experiences I’ve ever had. The level of insight they have into the world of story is absolutely astounding. There were many times I felt naked, sitting there and going over huge flaws I’d never recognized in my own writing, but at the end of the day all their criticism came from a place of respect and sincere care. It was clear that these amazing writers simply wanted to help each story they encountered be as good as it could be.

Coming back to the house and going over notes with Scott and the rest of the lab rats was a great way to decompress and help each other process all the information and advice we’d received. Scott has such a calming presence, and whenever things got intense it was great to just be with him, take a deep breath, and know that everything was going to be okay.

The Black List team are a crew of rock stars. They made every event memorable, fun, and meaningful. They also introduced me to some of the best food I’ve ever eaten in my life.

I’m back in the South now and life has returned to normal. I’m still pouring over all the notes and feedback I received during my incredible week in Los Angeles and preparing to do a rewrite. I’m not sure exactly where the story will go, but I do know that it will be significantly better than anything I would have come up with on my own.

It was an unforgettable week and just what I needed to recharge my batteries and inspire me to keep writing. The only thing I regret is that I can’t do it again next year.

The thing about these Black List writing labs: The participants become part of the larger Black List family. They support each other as they continue their respective and collective creative journeys. Indeed, the labs themselves are only the beginning of the learning process. To see how previous Black List writing lab participants are doing, check out these links:

Update: 2013 Black List Screenwriting Lab

Update: 2014 Black List Screenwriting Lab

Update: 2015 Chicago, New York, and Toronto Black List Screenwriting Labs

Update: 2015 Los Angeles and San Francisco Screenwriting Labs

Update: 2016 Black List Screenwriting Lab

Scripts optioned. Writers signing with reps. TV staff writing positions. Movies made. Nicholl winner. Lots of wonderful stories and in general, great to see the creative spirit flowing from these talented individuals.

I’m proud to have been a mentor at every single Black List feature writing lab event along with some incredible screenwriters who took time from their busy schedules to mentor the lab participants.

There will be another feature writing lab in October 2018, plus there’s this:

The Black List and Women In Film will invite six to eight promising non-professional screenwriters who identify as women to a weeklong, intensive writers workshop in Los Angeles, CA from February 18–24, 2018. All writers involved in the Lab will workshop one feature screenplay through one-on-one sessions with each screenwriting mentor 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.

I’ll be a mentor at this event, too. For more information, go here.

Finally, a quick shout-out to 2017 Black List crew: Ann, Curt, Dagny, Jean, Paul, and Wallaine. It was great spending a week with you, working on your stories and doing a deep dive into the craft and business of screenwriting.

As I say… Onward!