Telling Your Own Story: A Workshop for Writers on Creating Your Own Archive

This informational workshop, presented by Writers Guild of America West’s Writers Education Committee and the Writers Guild Foundation, focuses on the best approaches and methods for writers to care for their work. WGF Library Archivist Hilary Swett leads writers step-by-step through the archive process: Why should you create a personal archive? What are your goals and how do you achieve them?

Swett details how to make a plan, take inventory, appraise and prioritize materials, and decide what to keep (and what to toss), focusing on principles of preservation, organization, while drilling-down on special supplies, digital files, metadata, long-term storage, and more.

WATCH: WGF Library Script Breakdown with DICKINSON's Alena Smith

On April 15, we launched our brand new event series, WGF Library Script Breakdown, with Dickinson creator and showrunner Alena Smith. Hosted by WGF librarians Javier Barrios and Lauren O’Connor, we deep dive into the pages of a script as Smith walks us through her process for crafting Season 2 episode, “Split the lark.” Watch to learn how she approached the episode and how Emily Dickinson’s poetry inspires the Apple TV+ series.

Stay tuned for upcoming WGF Library Script Breakdowns on our Events page.

Watch: Writers on Writing with Eric Roth

On October 16, we went one-on-one with award-winning screenwriter Eric Roth, one of the scribes behind the upcoming Dune and hits such as A Star Is Born, Forrest Gump, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Ali, and Munich. Hear about his experiences in the film industry as well as his approach to adapting novels and stories into screenplays. Moderated by screenwriter and Scriptnotes podcast host John August.

Watch above or listen to the audio-only version below!

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Watch: Writers on Writing with Caroline Thompson

On September 9, we went one-on-one with screenwriter Caroline Thompson, the scribe behind macabre yet beloved features such as The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, The Addams Family, and Edward Scissorhands as well as literary favorites such as The Secret Garden and Black Beauty. We heard about her writing process, her approach to character development, and what draws her to specific themes.

Watch above or listen to the audio-only version below!

Watch: Sublime Primetime Online 2020

Sublime Primetime, the annual event co-presented by the Writers Guild Foundation and the Writers Guild of America West, in partnership with Variety and Final Draft, went virtual for a super-sized celebration of the 2020 Emmy-nominated writers. Watch all three sessions below!

Writing for Drama Series

Featuring Chris Mundy (Showrunner, Writer, Executive Producer, Ozark), Thomas Schnauz (Better Call Saul), and Gordon Smith (Better Call Saul).

Hosted and moderated by Kelvin Yu (Bob’s Burgers).

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Writing For Limited Series

Panelists include Tanya Barfield (Writer, Producer, Mrs. America), Susannah Grant (Showrunner, Co-Creator, Writer, Executive Producer, Unbelievable), Cord Jefferson (Writer, Executive Story Editor, Watchmen), and Damon Lindelof (Showrunner, Writer, Executive Producer, Watchmen).

Hosted and moderated by Kelvin Yu (Bob’s Burgers).

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WRITING FOR COMEDY AND VARIETY SERIES

Panelists include Kristen Bartlett and Mike Drucker (Co-Head Writers, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee), Sam Johnson (Writer, Co-Executive Producer, What We Do in the Shadows) & Chris Marcil (Writer, What We Do In The Shadows), Tony McNamara (Creator, Showrunner, Executive Producer, The Great), Stefani Robinson (Writer, Executive Producer, What We Do In The Shadows), Michael Schur (Creator, Showrunner, Executive Producer, The Good Place), and Paul Simms (Writer, Executive Producer, What We Do In The Shadows).

Hosted and moderated by Jenelle Riley (Deputy Awards and Features Editor, Variety).