Really, I Just Want to be a Working Writer

Okay, so maybe you don't need any more inspiration. You figure your script is already the best it can be, or that you'll work on it when you get back home. What you're coming here for is to launch your freaking career, already - sell your script, get hired for rewrite work, get staffed on a show.

Here's your schedule. And, whatever you do, don't miss the parties - the best place to meet and network with the top players in Hollywood.


THURSDAY 10/20/11
12:00pm-12:30pm
Opening Remarks
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
The Austin Film Festival welcomes you to its 18th year of panels, intimate discussions, lively conversations, film premieres, special retrospective screenings, parties and limitless networking opportunities and inspiration. Join the staff along with AFF board members Shane Black and Lawrence Kasdan for Opening Remarks to find out about this year’s special events, last-minute additions and special guests.

1:00pm-2:15pm
How to Work the Film Festival: For Filmmakers
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
The camera stopped rolling and the editor finished cutting but your job as a filmmaker is far from over. Get insider secrets on how to develop a marketing strategy and corresponding press kit, get audiences to go to your screenings, and work the festival circuit.
James Faust, Chris Holland, Paula Martinez, Kelly Williams
Moderated by Eugenio del Bosque

How to Work the Conference: For Writers
Stephen F. Austin Hotel, Ballroom
Want to get the most out of your time here? Get an agent, a writing partner, a script sold? Join these successful industry veterans who have attended the AFF Conference over the years and made the most of their time here – from networking to entering the Competitions. They were once in your shoes and have since made countless industry contacts, optioned and sold their scripts, and launched their film careers. Find out how to maximize your Badge and your time here at the Conference!
Richard Bever, Matt Dy, Tom O’Connor

2:45pm-4:00pm
Sustaining a Writing Career Outside of LA
Driskill Hotel, Jim Hogg Parlor
As the pace of technology catches up and film communities grow in cities throughout the world, writers are finding it easier and easier to work outside of Hollywood. Join the discussion on ways to maintain your writing career away from the main centers of film production.
James V. Hart, Tim McCanlies, Monte Williams
Moderated by Stuart Kelban

Breaking into the Business: A Conversation with Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Ashley was a finalist in the 2005 AFF Teleplay Competition, and in 2007, she went on to win the AFF Teleplay Competition with a Scrubs spec. During this time she met her writing partner, Bart, who had been performing improv comedy at both the Improv Jam in Red Bank, NJ, and the UCB Theater in New York City. Their first collaboration, a 30 Rock spec, won best teleplay at the 2008 Columbia Film Festival and they have been working together ever since. Now she and Bart have been hired to write the adaptation of the YA novel SKELETON CREEK for Intrepid Pictures, and recently sold a pilot to ABC Family -- the adaptation of another series of YA novels, THE BIG EMPTY. Join this conversation with Ashley and Bart as they share their experiences and advice on getting into and navigating The Business, marketing themselves as writers, writing as a team, and working in both features and TV.


FRIDAY 10/21/11
9:00am-10:15am
Roundtable: The Business Side
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Crail Hall
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the business of screenwriting. This session offers registrants exclusive access to executives, studio reps, agents, managers, producers and attorneys in an informal setting. Take advantage of this invaluable opportunity to ask those burning questions like how do I get an agent? Do I also need an attorney or manager? What’s the dynamic/relationship I can expect? Are studios buying spec scripts? Am I hurting my chances of selling my script if I ask to direct it? This is your opportunity to ask all this and more, without being charged by the hour or giving up a percentage of your script sale.
Katherine Brown, Mary Coleman, Cort Lane, Barry Josephson, Leif Lillehaugen, Maggie Malone, Justin Manask, Reeva Mandelbaum, Gayla Nethercott, Bonnie Orr, Ryan Saul, Mark Vahradian, Eric Weissman

Breaking into the Business: A Conversation with Brian McGreevy and Lee Shipman
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
Brian and Lee met in grad school at the UT Michener Center for Writers in 2004, and submitted a jointly written script to the 2006 AFF Screenplay Competition. The script didn’t win, and in fact, it didn’t make it past the Second Round. But, they’ve attended the Conference for years, gleaning “an immense amount of helpful stuff on a practical as well as craft issues,” and have since had their original scripts appear multiple times on the Black List. They are currently writing HARKER, an adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, for Warner Bros, director Jaume Collet-Sera, and producer Leonardo DiCaprio. Other feature projects in development include the King Arthur epic PENDRAGON for New Regency and director Sylvain White, and an updated ZORRO for Fox. Join this conversation with Brian and Lee as they share their experiences and advice on getting the most out of the Conference, navigating The Business, marketing themselves as writers, and writing as a team.
Moderated by Dawn Wiercinski

10:45am-12:00pm
Breaking into the Business: A Conversation with Bryan Brucks, Tim Talbott, and Cindy McCreery
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
You’ve got a script and are more than willing to write all kinds of material, but how do you turn your passion into a viable (and hopefully profitable) career? Join Bryan Brucks (DEEP IN THE VALLEY), Tim Talbott (South Park), and Cindy McCreery (FREE WILLY: ESCAPE FROM PIRATE’S COVE) as they share their experiences, successes, and failures breaking into the film industry.
Moderated by Drew Yanno

Writing for Animation: The Studios’ Perspective
Stephen F. Austin Hotel, Assembly Room
Where do the ideas for animated features come from? How do animation studios find writers? How do they work with them? Take a look inside the process with Development Execs from Blue Sky Studios, Disney Animation, and Pixar Animation Studios. They’ll walk you through the elements of their creative process (pitching, research, treatment, outline, script, and reels) using examples from great animated movies.
Mary Coleman, Lisa Fragner, Maggie Malone

1:45pm-3:00pm
Agent-Client Relationships
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
You often hear how an agent works to get a writer or filmmaker noticed in the entertainment industry, but how do you get in touch with one? At what point should you seek one out, and how do you know which agent is right for you? This panel will explain the who, what, where, when, how, and why of agent-client relationships for budding filmmakers.
Rebecca Ewing, Amy Talkington
Moderated by Drew Yanno

The Creative Career: What You Need to Know
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
A panel of successful professional writers will discuss what you need to know when setting out on your career as a writer,the common pitfalls to avoid and what the Writers Guild of America, West can do for you. This panel is presented by WGA, West.
Lawrence Kasdan, Craig Mazin, Daniel Petrie Jr., Rhett Reese
Moderated by Howard A. Rodman

Breaking into the Business: A Conversation with Julie Howe and Joyce San Pedro
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
In 2010, Julie Howe's original script JASPER MILLIKEN won the AFF Screenplay Competition in the comedy category. After the script was acquired by Experience Media Studios, Julie introduced Joyce San Pedro, Creative Executive for Zhiv productions and AFF judge and panelist, to Michael-Ryan Fletchall of EMS. San Pedro quickly signed on with the developing project tentatively scheduled for release in 2013. Join this conversation with Julie and Joyce as they share their experiences and advice on the development process, the writer's relationship with the production company, taking meetings, and navigating The Business.
Moderated by Matt Dy

3:15pm-4:30pm
Roundtable: The Business Side
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Crail Hall
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the business of screenwriting. This session offers registrants exclusive access to executives, studio reps, agents, managers, producers and attorneys in an informal setting. Take advantage of this invaluable opportunity to ask about current trends in the marketplace. Are studios buying spec scripts? Are you hurting your chances of selling your script if you ask to direct it? This is your opportunity to ask all of these questions and more, without being charged by the hour or having to give a percentage of your script sale.
Richard Bever, Katherine Brown, Bryan Brucks, Curtis Burch, Jon Cohen, Allison Doyle, Tai Duncan, Lisa Fragner, Deena Kalai, Maggie Malone, Noreen O’Toole, Stu Pollard, Ed Radtke, Mark Vahradian, Meta Valentic

Agents and Managers
Driskill Hotel, Maximilian Room
A panel for anyone interested in learning current practices for how to go about getting an agent or manager, the roles of each – do you need both? - and how they work together. Also, what are realistic expectations for your relationship? They’ll also discuss how to be a great client and when you should look for someone new.
Melissa Breaux, Rebecca Ewing, Justin Manask, Gayla Nethercott
Moderated by Stuart Kelban


Writing for Animation: The Writers’ Perspective
Stephen F. Austin Hotel, Assembly Room
Is writing for animation different than for live action? How do animation studios find writers? How do they work with them? Take a look inside the process with several successful animation writers. They will step through the elements of their creative process (pitching, research, treatment, outline, script, and reels) using examples from great animated movies.
Jason Eaton, Mike Fry, Rita Hsiao, Kiel Murray
Moderated by Greg Garrett


SATURDAY 10/22
10:45am–12:00pm
Roundtable: Television
St. David’s Episcopal Church, Crail Hall
Get in-depth answers to your questions about the craft and business of writing for television. This session offers registrants exclusive access to TV writers, producers, showrunners and directors in an informal setting.
Sterling Anderson, Alec Berg, Jay Edwards, Dan French, Kyle Killen, Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson, Noreen O’Toole, Daniel Petrie, Jr., Nancy Pimental, Pamela Ribon, Malcolm Spellman, Tim Talbott, Donald Todd, Meta Valentic


The Heroine’s Journey: Writing and Selling the Female-Driven Screenplay
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Panelists will discuss both the creative side of writing female characters and the business-related challenges of working in the male-dominated film industry.
Pamela Gray, Elizabeth Hunter
Moderated by Cindy McCreery


2:15pm-3:30pm
In the TV Writers’ Room
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
This panel will cover everything about writing for TV: getting hired on a staff, the code of conduct once you’re there, the jarring pace at which you'll have to work and write, the new paradigms for pilot structures, how spec pilots become successful primetime television shows, ensuring you stay employed, and more.
Sterling Anderson, Noah Hawley, Nancy Pimental
Moderated by Monte Williams

3:45pm–5:00pm
Showrunners
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom
A discussion on the role of showrunners, their effect on the direction of a show, and how they put together and work with their writing team.
Rodrigo Garcia, Kyle Killen, Rob Thomas, Donald Todd
Moderated by Barry Josephson


SUNDAY 10/23
11:30am–12:45pm
On the Level
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
This panel breaks down TV staffing from intern to showrunner and offers advice on how to get inside a writer's room . . . and stay there. What does "executive producer" mean, anyway? What's a "Mid-Level," and is it a good thing? Donald Todd and Pamela Ribon discuss the politics of pitching jokes, taking notes, and the dangers of being funny while female. Think you'd be strong enough to survive?
Moderated by Monte Williams

1:15pm–2:30pm
Producing Outside the Norm: A Conversation with Elizabeth Avellán
Driskill Hotel, Citadel Room
Elizabeth Avellán is the Co-Owner—with writer/director Robert Rodriguez—and Vice President of Troublemaker Studios and President of EYA Productions. She began her producing career when she co-founded Los Hooligans Productions in 1991 with Robert Rodriguez as the two began their feature film project, EL MARIACHI. Made for just $7,000, EL MARIACHI, was the winner of the 1993 Audience Awards at the Sundance and Deauville Film Festivals. Her additional producing credits include DESPERADO, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN I, II & III, THE FACULTY, SPY KIDS I—IV, SIN CITY, PREDATORS, GRINDHOUSE, and MACHETE among others. Through her EYA Productions banner, she produced the recently wrapped holiday feature film, WHEN ANGELS SING, directed by Tim McCanlies, starring Harry Connick Jr., Willie Nelson and Connie Britton.
Moderated by James Faust