Led by industry experts, professional film and TV writers as well as media educators, the Wisconsin Screenwriters’ Symposium will offer a number of panels and workshops for both emerging and established screenwriters. Panel and workshop topics for 2025 include:
- State of the Industry – Curious about the wild, wild west of Hollywood and beyond? This well-informed panel of television and film professionals shares insights into the rollercoaster ride that is American film and television production, funding and distribution.
- Writing on a Budget – If someone gave you $10,000 to make a movie, how would you spend it? A thrifty panel of professionals will discuss their approaches to writing and producing projects on a budget, both short and feature scripts. Plus, how to use notes from producers to rewrite scripts based on budget constraints.
- Tips & Tools for Pitching – How to become an instant extrovert and pitch like a vivacious pro? Learn tips on crafting pitches that get the attention of gatekeepers in the industry, and come away with a pocket of golden nuggets to help your pitch shine.
- Writing for TV – Working your way around a writers’ room can be tricky and titillating. Join this panel of television professionals to discuss the process of developing a series concept, collaborating with show runners, and writing an episode in that proverbial room.
- Wisconsin to Hollywood/Breaking In – The road from Badgers to Oscars is long, but it can be done! Check out this discussion designed to pave the way. Film and television professionals with Wisconsin roots share their stories and journeys of finding work — and success — in the industry.
- Screenwriting 101 – Oftentimes we have brilliant ideas with no place to start. Michael Graf (Green and Gold, Winter of Frozen Dreams) presents this workshop aimed at dissecting critical skills needed for creating engaging screenplays —from formatting to act structure to brevity— that will actually get yours read in today’s Hollywood.
- Writing Compelling Characters – Your main character’s voice is on regular repeat in your brain … that’s a good sign. Attend this workshop and gain strategies for creating memorable and compelling characters, including examples of the idiosyncrasies of main characters like Elphaba and Michael Scott.
- Script to Screen Breakdown – How do the words in a screenplay translate to images we see in a film? How do a writer’s words guide the work of directors, actors and designers, and what gets lost in translation? Reading scripts and analyzing the films produced from them is a great, free education in the craft of screenwriting. Join writing coach Max Timm (owner, The Story Farm) as he breaks down an award-winning film, from script to screen.
- Writing and Developing a Short — Weekend Warriors unite! You understand the concept of short and sweet, so this workshop is for you. Discover how your pages are developed, crafted and created into a film that’s sub-fifteen minutes on a shoestring budget. Also, learn insider advice on how a short film can shine a spotlight on your concept and elevate your portfolio.
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