Screenwriting : Want to start a small screenwriting group to share & critique each other's work - serious writers only pls willing to commit by Kristen Kuhns

Kristen Kuhns

Want to start a small screenwriting group to share & critique each other's work - serious writers only pls willing to commit

Looking for 4-5 people (max) to meet weekly or bi-weekly, minimum, to keep ourselves accountable for ongoing writing. Have done these in the past in a couple of different set-ups, including:

- everyone reads a new 10-15 pages of their latest and we provide feedback to each other

- if someone has an important event coming up, help them prep (pitch or contest etc.)

- focus on one person's writing that session and critique in-depth, break story, etc.

and am open to any ideas!

Prefer to have serious peeps, ie who aren't looking for a lot of gossiping / catching up (one of my groups turned into this - great fun! but not very productive) or people who are afraid to give / receive constructive criticsm (emphasis on the "constructive").

I find that when I'm left to my own devices, I wait for "inspiration waves" to hit me, which leads to less and less finished product as life gets busy, and I don't hold myself accountable enough. I am far more productive with outside accountability.

I'm on the west coast (PST time zone), with two drama pilots I'm currently re-writing. I have provided a ton of feedback on feature and show scripts from horror to docus etc., and received a lot of, commentary and input on each other's scripts both feature & telly. I have been writing my entire life both personally and professionally, but still on the newer end of script writing. Please DM me if interested and let's see if we can find an agreeable time/day etc. if you are serious about getting some output done :)

Michael Gutierrez-May

I’m interested Kristen. I am also new to screenwriting but I want to Immerse myself and get better. My best day for this would be Sunday as I work during the week. My email is mikegtz22@aol.com. Write me back! I am currently working on a feature film project but I want to do all kinds of screenwriting in the future.

Tasha McLemore

I am interested and this is the main reason I joined. I need all the feedback that is available to be had. I could not DM you because we are not connected, but I did send a request. I have different genres but there are two that are important to me. Hope to link soon!

Asmaa Jamil

Thank you Kristen for posting this. I am also interested and sent you a request to connect so that I can send you a DM.

Howard Sewell

I’m interested

David Webbley

Hi Kristen, I have sent you a network request and would be interested; only thing is that I'm in the UK which means 8 hours time difference I think. But let me know if it would work, thanks

Michael Sylvester

HinKaren, I’d be interested. I’m currently working on two pilots and shopping a feature with two more in the works. Best. Sent a request.

Rachel White

I'm interested however I'm also in the UK . Currently have a few things in progress.

Curtis D Harris

I’m interested. I have 4 completed scripts in the genre of horror & action sci-fi

Kristen Kuhns

why don't we see if we can find a time that can work for some to meet? Please put your availability and time zone:

I'm in PST (pacific time zone) available

evenings (except thursdays)

weekends

possibly during the day /business hours but could not commit to that forever if job situation changes

Asmaa Jamil

Hi Kristen, I am in EST (eastern time zone and can participate most weekdays except Tuesdays. Weekends vary.

Curtis D Harris

I’m located in the upper Midwest central time zone. Hours of availability 5pm Monday thru Friday. Available at time durning weekends

Howard Sewell

I’m flexible. CDT in US. I’m semi retired and working on my passion of screenwriting as a second career (I hope). I have 2 full feature scripts that I’m pitching and six shorts presently.

I’ve done 5 pitches, with one “considering” me as a writer and one is reading my script. I’ve had coverages with Stage 32 and Blacklist. Entered six writing contests, still in two.

Marcel Nault Jr.

I'm interested as well. The more feedback for me, the merrier. I'll try to contribute as much as possible.

I am in the EST time zone too. Even though I'm on welfare until August, my current availabilities are Mondays and Thursdays, preferably afternoon or evening.

Niki H

Great idea Kristen, and glad to see the community jumping on this! Groups help us stay accountable and can provide structure when we need it!

Kristen Kuhns

Curtis - after 5pm CDT? or ?

Curtis D Harris

Central standard time

Suzanne Antonia Summa

What day were you thinking?

Tasha McLemore

I am in Central, so whatever time works for you is okay with me as well.

Kristen Kuhns

Curtis D Harris sorry I meant - did you mean AFTER 5pm? or before, or right at? lol

Curtis D Harris

Lol, at 5pm

Suzanne Antonia Summa

Tuesday or Thursday - right now pretty much anytime, but to be safe probably after 5:00 pm PST

E Langley

No gossiping? Forget it. :)

David Abrookin

Love to see this coming together! And E Langley, we can form our own group where we meet weekly to gossip about this group

Virginia Uriarte

Ancestry solved whoy mother was. Also that she had beenibing down the street from me.

Virginia Uriarte

Who my mother was. And she had been living down the street from me this whole time. I am 51 year old longshoreman.

Michael Gutierrez-May

For me, Sunday afternoons after 1pm EST

Kristen Kuhns

Name .......................Country....TimeZone..Weekend ........... M T W Th Fr

kristen kuhns............USA ........PST ..........yes.....maybe/yes maybe/yes maybe/yes maybe/no maybe/yes

Michael Gutierrez-May.....USA.....EST..Sunday afternoon....no/no no/no no/no no/no no/no

Tasha McLemore....USA..........CST ..........yes .....yes/yes yes/yes yes/yes yes/yes yes/yes

Asmaa Jamil ...........USA..........EST............maybe yes/yes yes/no yes/yes yes/yes yes/yes

Howard Sewell.........USA .........CDT......maybe maybe/maybe maybe/maybe maybe/maybe maybe/maybe maybe/maybe

Suzanne Summa.....USA.............?............no no/no no/yes no/no no/yes no/no

Michael Sylvester ....?

Curtis D Harris ........USA..........CST .........yes

Marcel Nault Jr........USA ..........EST..........no..... maybe/yes no/no no/no maybe/yes no/no

............................................

Jamie Trouncelle SA

Rachel White UK

David Webbley UK

Suzanne Antonia Summa

Yes, USA, Pacific Northwest, PST

Linda Wright

I'm open. In CA PST

Kristen Kuhns

From ones I've done in the past, only a few will actually stick with it (just being honest - life has this tendency to get in the way) :), it looks like Sunday afternoon, or possibly Saturday, has the best chance for survival/longevity.

There are 2 UK peeps and one south African person, so another possibility would be another meeting more appropriate to those time zones?

I'm just making the offer with this discussion, so if anyone else wants to do a separate group with people who have responded please feel free! This isn't my rodeo - i'm just playing along and trying to organize :)

Rachel White

I can do anytime during the day at weekends, I'll plan everything else around it. I can probably do evening as well.

Marcel Nault Jr.

I can do weekends as well. All depending on everyone's time zone. Keep in mind: I am in an EST zone. I'll readjust if need be. F.Y.I. I only use Skype, not Zoom or Teams.

Kristen Kuhns

Ok since I have a FT job it's a bit difficult to coordinate everyon'es PMs, so let's try some times

Does anyone have time on Tuesday evenings, say 5pm or even 4pm PST (8/7pm EST)?

Asmaa Jamil

Thank you Kristen, I will make that work.

Tasha McLemore

Works for me!

Ewan Dunbar

This is a great idea! Good to support one another and gives some extra accountability to those that want some.

Kristen Kuhns

if someone else would like to coordinate a Sunday time, it seems several are open then, too

Howard Sewell

All yes

Marcel Nault Jr.

Not for me, unfortunately. I have a radio show during that time.

Suzanne Antonia Summa

I could do Tuesday 4 p.m.

Kristen Kuhns

Kacee - you don't usually do everyone's in one sitting and yes only 4-5 people is best - if you'd read my other comments I asked for someone else to put one together for the UK people and / or a Sunday one as I can't commit to two. In my past experiences they last 1-2 hours and do 1-3 people's work per session depending on what is being discussed.

Stephanie Henry-Ricchi

Stephanie Henry-Ricchi EST Florida and yes on weekdays or weekends

Jack Cusick

Interested, but availability is sometimes limited due to "day job." (So Cal PST)

Piper Williams

I am interested, and would welcome others with like-minded focus!

Kristen Kuhns

Ok so I'm going to put one together for TUESDAYS at 4PM PST (7PM EST). Please let me know if you'd like to join, and message me your email.

If someone would like to start one on Sundays - there are several people expressing interest in Sunday as well.

And if one could started in the UK or Euro-time zones there may be enough for a dedicated working group there, as well.

It's really easy to lead these. Just get a zoom #, set up the call & drop it as a recurring event on a calendar (& automatically issue reminders). Start the group off by introducing yourselves and what types of writing you do and what you're specifically wanting help with. Choose the volunteer to go first, and either a) send out pages ahead to read and give feedback on, and/or b) do a "table" read of 10-15 pages or several scenes and provide input (email everyone the script or pages and assign roles to read the characters). Usually can do 2 per week on each call. Limit the calls to an hour or hour and a half or so to keep it easier for folks to keep up commitments & returning. (These are just my suggestions!) :)

Howard Sewell

Tuesday is good for me. Howard Sewell

hsewell1963@gmail.com

Michael Gutierrez-May

I would be interested in being part of a Sunday group. I also have my own Zoom platform which could be used for the occasion. This would most likely be early afternoon EST.

Steven Garcia

zoom meeting?

Marcel Nault Jr.

I would be available on Sundays too. Let me when you can come up with a meeting on Sundays and I'll let you know my time frame. Cheers!

Vincent J Paterno

This has possibilities. I write comedy features, mostly rom-coms.

Chris Taylor

happy to host the UK equivalent. format identical to that suggested by Kristen. anyone interested, email me at board at cjt co uk

Greg Wong

Chris Taylor I'd be interested, have sent you an email.

Dan Guardino

I live a couple of hours from you but I don't have time to participate in your new writing group but I wanted to wish you luck with it.

Tasha McLemore

Most definitely interested..

Alejandro Marello

I would definitely be interested in participating.

I have no experience, but all the desire (I can be the first reserve or substitute)....

are the exchanges digital or do you meet in person?

Kristen Kuhns

UPDATE:

If interested in 4pm PST on TUESDAYS, please DM me your email

If interested in UK time slot, email CHRIS : board at cjt co uk

If interested in a SUNDAY time and can organize one (it's easy!) please speak up here :) (Michael?)

Howard Sewell

Howard Sewell- hsewell1963@gmail.com

Tuesdays

Michael Gutierrez-May

I could organize a Sunday Zoom session-I am possibly available on July 16th or July 30th. I could also wait until August. To accommodate West Coast folks, the time should probably be 1-3pm EST or 2-4pm EST. Sunday people-what would work best for you?

Kristen Kuhns

hi for the TUESDAY crowd - I'm looking to start this in August as I'm dealing with an elderly mother trying to navigate the medicare/health insurance maze for a surgery end of July. So prob Aug 8th for a first meeting? (Or we could try for one next week just an introduction call? I just can't commit yet to the 25th or 1st depending on them).

And Michael can do a SUNDAY meeting - please let me him know what time(s) work! Thanks!

Howard Sewell

Introduction call may be worthwhile- I’m available for all dates mentioned- Howard

Vincent J Paterno

Right now, Aug. 8 seems fine with me.

Maurice Vaughan

Hope the surgery goes well, Kristen Kuhns.

Ray Ghasemi

Thanks for your post Kristen,

Marcel Nault Jr.

Michael, I'll reiterate just in case people missed it: I'm available on Sundays, 2 P.M.-5 P.M. EST.

Michael A. Levine

I'm interested. PST, USA, Sunday afternoons best.

Jill Godley

I think the idea of having your own small group(s) is terrific. For additional group coverage there is the COVERAGE REPORT in the Writer's Room. They meet up on Mondays to give feedback on a member's script synopsis and first 20 pages. It is a great additional resource.

Kristen Kuhns

well thanks - my original point was because there are so many people in those groups it takes forever to get back to you.... that's why the smaller group(s)

Michael Gutierrez-May

Marcel, I could also do 2-4 or 2-5pm EST on Sunday 8/13 on my zoom. I just noticed your available times.

Kristen Kuhns

FIRST MEETING - THURS AUG 8th at 4pm PST (7pm EST).

Probably a zoom call, so I will need your emails to send the invite. First meeting will be intros of yourself and what kind of writing you do, as well as what type(s) of help you need. Second meeting will be THURS AUG 15th. IN the first meeting we'll pick 2 or 3 people's scripts to read first. Persons's work being reviewed will assign characters and we will read 20 pages or the equivalent in scenes. They usually last a couple of hours to read & provide valuable feedback.

The meeting goals are threefold:

1. Get to hear your script read out loud - this always provides a different perspective

2. Identify potentially problemmatic areas and suggestions on how to approach & work on those

3. braintstorm additional ideas for improvements and/or break story

*PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL YOUR WORK IS COPYRIGHTED BEFORE SHARING -- just to be on the safe side.

I will ask you humbly please do not join if you can't commit. I don't mean that rudely; just want people who really want to work & improve and are willing to show up and put in the time :)

Kristen Kuhns

who has a zoom account we can use? I was just told I cannot use the one I use for work unfortunately. The free version is only 40 min per active session.

Kristen Kuhns

hi everyone - back in town! I've gone thru the messages again and we have several people. Probably too many, but I'm sure some will no-show or back out. Can you please drop your email here or PM me with it?

Let's move the first meeting to next week as I noticed above I erroneously put Aug 8 (today) and Thursday, & created confusion (sorry!)

FIRST MEETING: Tuesday August 15th at 4:00pm PST (7pm EST)

[I still do not have a zoom or google meeting but have a MSFT Team account I can use for the first couple meetings. I will need to send you the invite, thus I need your emails].

Vincent J Paterno

Aug. 15 is better for me anyway. I'm having too much fun today watching the lovely and talented Joan Blondell on TCM's "Summer Under the Stars."

Kristen Kuhns

I private messaged everyone!

Stephanie Henry-Ricchi

Hello are you still meeting with a group and in what capacity? Have a great Sunday Stephanie

Michael A. Levine

Hi Stephanie - The short answer is yes. If your interested in joining please private message Kristen Kuhns.

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