The purpose of the Writers Guild Foundation’s Visiting Writers Program is to create a link between students and the Hollywood writing community, and to enrich the learning experience for students with first-hand insights into the craft, practices and career management issues of the working writer in Hollywood.
Our Visiting Writers Program schedules writers to appear at colleges and universities locally and around the world. If you are a teacher, why not plan to take advantage of this program and book a writer to address your class?
We can arrange for a writer to visit your school if it is in the Los Angeles area; to address your class by video conference (example at left) if your school has these capabilities; to address your class by telephone conference; or, if you are out of state and your budget allows for a travel stipend, we may be able to arrange for an in-person visit.
All visiting writer sessions take the form of Question and Answer interviews, with the teacher/professor or the class asking pertinent questions of the writer. Many teachers will have their class prepare to meet a writer by viewing his or her films; by reading his or her screenplays; and certainly by discussing his or her work in advance of the actual session with the writer.
The program is named after Professor John Furia, Jr.
If you would like to make use of this valuable service, please:
1) fill out a Booking Form by clicking on the link above or below; and
2) We will respond to your email within a week to discuss further details
or any special needs you might have.
The Writers Guild Foundation Visiting Writers Program is a free service. Note, however, that if the visit involves out-of-town travel for the writer, your institution will be expected to cover travel and accommodation expenses. Some schools are also able to offer an honorarium.
"The
Visiting Writer Program has greatly enhanced the writing curriculum at Brooks
by giving students direct access to working writers. Students gain invaluable
knowledge of the craft of screenwriting and personal insight into career building.
The level of excitement and inspiration is palpable when one of the visiting
writers visits the campus."
Rich Fortinberry, Professor, Brooks Institute
If your school is in an underserved area or
community, some financial assistance may be available. Please call 323-782-4691
for more information.
View Grant Guidelines
View Grant Application
Please sign up for our academic mailing list to get occasional emails about the Visiting Writers Program and other WGF academic programs:
Note: If you are a WGA member with produced
credits and you are interested in participating in this program, please call
Sandy Allyn at 323-782-4691.
The 2009-2010 John Furia Visiting Writers Program is sponsored by Humanitas, and is supported by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
You can also schedule an on-site tour of the Writers Guild Foundation Shavelson-Webb Library, to include an introduction to the WGA and WGF as well as a Q&A with a WGA writer. To schedule a library tour for your class or group, please call 323-782-4691.