Writing Samples: Understanding What A Creative Exec Needs
Start Learning
Satisfaction Rate:
Webinar hosted by: Topher Rhys-Lawrence
Vice President at Atlas Entertainment
Topher Rhys-Lawrence is a Creative Executive at Atlas Entertainment, one of the entertainment industry’s premier film and television production companies. In this position, he is involved in the packaging, production and development of projects for both Atlas Entertainment and Atlas Independent. He also serves as the publicity and marketing liaison for the company. Topher was promoted to Creative Executive in January 2014. He began his tenure at Atlas Entertainment in July 2011 as assistant to producer Charles Roven, Founder of Atlas. While assisting Mr. Roven, Topher had the privilege of working on a variety of films in development and production, such as: The Dark Knight Rises Man of Steel American Hustle (nominated for 10 Academy Awards ® and winner of 3 Golden Globes ® including Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical) Topher began his entertainment career at Creative Artists Agency in 2009 providing creative and administrative support to multiple departments and eventually working for Emanuel Nunez in Film Finance. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, he studied at University of California – Irvine where he double majored in Economics and International Studies, graduating in 2008. Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
Every day a creative executive has dozens of scripts on his or her desk from agents, clients and colleagues. It is their job to find and uncover great talent to bring into the marketplace. If a creative executive is interested in a writer 100% of the time they will ask for more writing samples, so what exactly does that mean and how should you be prepared?
We have brought in Topher Rhys-Lawrence, a creative executive for Atlas Entertainment, a production and management company, which works on a variety of budgeted films such as 12 Monkeys, Get Smart, American Hustle, Batman vs. Superman and more. Part of Topher's job is to find the best writers for scripts on all types of projects… and within that comes a need for writing samples. In this exclusive Stage 32 Next Level Webinar Topher will go over what it means when a creative executive is interested in you as a writer, why your writing samples are important and give examples of types of samples you should have in your arsenal.
What You'll Learn
What you will learn:
Part 1: Understanding the landscape as as writer
- Understanding a Creative Executive's role
- What a CE is responsible for - How do you get in front of a CE?
- What will make you stand out?
- Do you need a manager or agent to get to a CE?
- Why are they saying no?
- Common mistakes you might be making
- The importance of the first ten pages
- The importance of developing a unique voice
- Keeping their attention
- What it means when a Creative Executive is interested in you as a writer
- We will go over various examples of becoming a working writer which include:
- Studio project
- Independent film projects
- TV writing projects
- Script doctoring
- Co-writing
- Ghost-writing
- Why are writing samples important?
- What a CE uses writing samples for
- How writing samples fit into production company pitches
Part 2: Types of Writing Samples
We will go over each of these various types of writing samples in detail. You will be armed with a clear understanding of what each sample should look like and how a CE uses this in his or her role:
- Script samples
- What scripts you should have ready
- Tips & tricks on industry expectations
- Examples of good scripts
- Examples of bad scripts - what NOT to do
- Treatment samples
- What treatments you should have ready
- Tips & tricks on industry expectations
- Examples of good treatments
- Examples of bad treatments - what NOT to do
- Synopsis samples
- What synopsis' you should have ready
- Tips & tricks on industry expectations
- Examples of good synopsis
- Examples of bad synopsis - what NOT to do
- Logline samples
- What loglines you should have ready
- Tips & tricks on industry expectations
- Examples of good loglines
- Examples of bad loglines - what NOT to do
About Your Instructor
Topher Rhys-Lawrence
FAQs
Q: How do I watch my webinar live?
A: If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Go to Webinar, you will receive an email from Go to Webinar with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. You can also access your webinar link in your purchase history located under settings in the top right-hand corner of your Stage 32 profile.
If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Zoom, you will receive a separate email from Zoom with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. Your login link will not be in your Stage 32 profile. If you did not receive your link via Zoom please email support@stage32.com.
Q: How do I watch my webinar on demand?
A: You will be able to watch your webinar on demand as many times as you’d like inside your Stage 32 profile. The recording is processed and posted between 24-48 hours after the webinar concludes. You can follow the instructions below.
YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO – STAGE 32 IS FREE TO JOIN
If You Already Have a Stage 32 Profile:
- Log into your Stage 32 profile
- Click "Settings" in the top right-hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- Choose this webinar and click the link to view
- Go to www.stage32.com
- Create a profile using the SAME email address you used to sign up for this webinar. The email addresses must match in order to watch the webinar.
- Once you have your profile set up, you can view the webinar by clicking "Settings" in the top right hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- Choose this webinar and click the link to view
Q: What is the format of a webinar?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Webinars are typically 90-minute educational broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32. Your webinar will be taught by a working industry professional with in-depth teaching on a topic. If you are able to attend live you will be able to ask your Stage 32 Educator questions during Q&A.
Q: What are the system requirements to watch my webinar live?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.9 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live webinar. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer.
Q: What if I cannot attend the live webinar?
A: If you cannot attend a live webinar or purchase an on demand webinar, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.
Q: Will I have access to the webinar afterward to re-watch?
A: Yes! Like all Stage 32 education, after the purchase of a live or on demand webinar, you will have on-demand access to the recording.
Q: How do I get a copy of the handouts provided?
A: If the webinar you take included handouts you can find them as downloads underneath your on demand video. You must be logged into your Stage 32 profile to view the video and get the handouts by clicking settings in the top right hand corner, then clicking purchase history.
Q: What if I need accessibility and accommodations?
A: Email support@stage32.com to request accommodations.
Thanks for your loyalty to Stage 32 Education. We value having you in the Stage 32 community.
If you have any further questions, we are always happy to help. Please contact Stage 32 support at support@stage32.com.
Relevant Tags
Share with friends:
Questions?
Reviews Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5
-
Veialu Aila-Unsworth Great, honest insight. Especially into the writer-executive relationship and making the most of your first general meeting together. -
Paul Bliss Fantastic look into how an exec is looking at your project, and the realities of what they have to consider when working with writers. -
Ian Martin Really good and informative webinar.
Other education that may be of interest to you:
The Breakdown Webcast: Writing True Stories
Whether musical biopics like Rocketman, historical dramas like Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile or The Irishman from Netflix, or films loosely based on historic events like 1917 or Once Upon a Time in Hollywood... audiences are fascinated by true stories. During this super-sized 90-minute webcast, we explore films and series including Chernobyl, The Social Network, Munich, Molly's Game, Charlie Wilson's War, and more to find out what makes a good script based on true events or real people work.
Inside the Writers’ Room Tell All – Secrets, Successes, and Lots of Snacks
Have you ever wanted the inside scoop on what it’s really like to work in a TV writers’ room? Get full access through the eyes of a working television writer with over a decade of experience on some of your favorite TV franchises. Most writers experience initiation by fire when joining their first writers’ room. Since there’s no manual or list of rules to follow, navigating your way through your role can feel like a minefield. You might be afraid of talking too much and upsetting the room or too scared to speak up and be shut down. It’s not just about getting the staffing job, it’s about putting yourself in the best position to be a part of the team, impress the right people, and most importantly, keep your job. Stage 32 is here to give you an insider look at the inner workings of a television writers’ room in this exclusive webinar, hosted by CASTLE, CSI CYBER, and NCIS NOLA scribe Kate Sargeant. Kate has over 12 years of experience, working on some of the most recognizable television franchises, and was most recently staffed on the upcoming series OBLITERATED from the creator of COBRA KAI. she is here to share her mistakes and triumphs so that you can avoid her pitfalls and become a valuable staff writer. From breaking the story through the final mix and everything in between, Kate has you covered as she walks you through: What you’ll see on your first day The differences between working on a new show and an established one Navigating meetings What are the unwritten rules of the writers’ room Understanding how rooms break the story together The day-to-day writing process Learning how to take notes and handle rewrites Who the major players are What are the most common pitfalls Kate wants to unlock the secrets of these exclusive jobs as she provides the nuts and bolts of what your future will become when you’re staffed. Instead of entering the room scared that one wrong move will end your dream, why not set yourself up for success? PRAISE FOR KATE'S TEACHINGS: "There was a lot of great information given as to what to expect when staffed in a writers room." -Louisa B. "The webinar was great! I really enjoyed the way everything was organized and laid out. I do wish there was a little more time for the Q&A session as my questions didn't get answered. But overall it was excellent and very helpful." -Kathleen A. "I had to leave the seminar before it was done so am very happy its recorded for later access. I was very impressed with Kate and her seminar. I thought she was an absolute powerhouse and came forward with an awesome structure and insightful information." -Sharon P.
Jason Piette, Producer (The Merchant of Venice, Head in the Clouds, Berlin I Love You)
With the help of producer Jason Piette, we'll be taking a look at a few different Writers' Room pitches and giving live feedback to help improve each pitch while simultaneously guiding each of you in your craft.
Write Now Challenge Webcast - Your Writer Biography
During this webcast, writers from around the world including Australia, Scotland, Canada, and more, shared their "writer biographies" and talking points. It was an excellent way to get to know one another and find out how to present their backgrounds and career aspirations during a general meeting. In addition to developing the craft, we endeavor to prepare Writers' Room members for the business of film and television. And that means, knowing how to present yourself, as well as your ideas, in a meeting with producers, executives, and filmmakers. Using the "Breakdown Webcast: Breaking down a General Meetings" as a guide, your challenge was to write a short biography on yourself which focuses on the major "talking points" that you would benefit you in a general meeting with a producer, executive, manager or other industry pro. Include a bit on your personal and professional background, the genres you write, your screenwriting accomplishments (such as awards, accommodations, accolades), your goals for your writing career (features? TV? Both?), and what makes your point of view so unique in an crowded market!
How to Produce Faith Based and Faith Friendly Films That Will Make it to the Screen
It's not talked about as often, but faith based and faith friendly films have been a steady, popular, and profitable industry for a while now. It could be considered a niche audience, but it’s a powerful and dependable niche audience that has helped catapult films and filmmakers to success. Recent films like SOUND OF FREEDOM, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, I STILL BELIEVE, GOD BLESS THE BROKEN ROAD, GOD’S NOT DEAD, and THE SHACK have found popularity and impressive box office numbers by tapping into a faith-oriented audience and bringing out church-goers and other faith-friendly communities that might not be as eager to seek out films outside of this genre. And it makes sense that faith-based films are doing well. In challenging or negative times, people will more actively seek out positivity and inspiration, two ingredients almost guaranteed to be in a faith-based film. Considering how challenging and negative our current world can be, there might not be a better time than the present to break into the world of faith-based films and write a script that can shine in this market. The faith-based arena might be lucrative, but that doesn’t mean it’s a cinch to succeed in. It can be a complicated and difficult world to navigate. Faith based films exist firmly within the larger film and television landscape, but they still have their own specific companies, leaders, and expectations to understand. Breaking into any aspect of the film industry is hard, but there are challenges that come specifically with the faith friendly market. It’s important in this world to create a product that is wholesome and accessible for all ages and sensibilities, and navigating this tight rope is tricky, ensuring you don’t turn off any particular group. As a producer or filmmaker wanting to work in this space, it’s your job to understand this world and the different players within it. Having a strong sense of how everything works, what kinds of films succeed in the space, and how to avoid the land mines that come along with this genre is critical. With a proper lay of the land, you’ll be able to better tackle this genre and produce a film that can not only succeed financially, but inspire and uplift viewers at the same time. Brad Wilson is the co-founder of Higher Purpose Entertainment (HPE), a production company dedicated to telling stories in film and TV that encompass truth of character and strive to embrace inspirationally redeeming qualities. While at HPE he's produced a number of films including THREE BLIND SAINTS, CHRISTMAS ON SALVATION STREET, MY MANY SONS, THE MEANEST MAN IN TEXAS, THE RESURRECTION OF GAVIN STONE and the upcoming PARADISE A TOWN OF SINNERS AND SAINTS. Brad is well-versed in the business of faith based films and has a keen sense of how projects thrive in this genre. He’s ready to share what he knows exclusively with the Stage 32 community. Brad will put on his producer’s cap and walk through how a producer can successfully understand and navigate the world of faith-based and faith friendly filmmaking. He’ll begin by teaching you what the state of the faith based industry looks like right now. He’ll focus on the notable and successful faith based films coming out now, including studio films and indie films and what their budgets have been. Then he will provide you helpful strategies on how to independently produce a faith friendly film. Next he will outline themes, topics, and other landmines to avoid while producing your film to stay within this genre and not offend its audience. Brad will outline the main elements that make a faith and family based film successful in the marketplace and will delve into how to be authentic and stick to facts while still remaining commercial and appealing. He will then discuss what the faith based audience looks like and how best to reach them. He’ll talk about getting involved with churches and communities in producing and distributing your film and how best to reach out. Brad will next give a rundown of who the financiers and studios are in this market and what they’re looking for. He’ll spend time talking about the pure business of this space. Finally he will explain who the main distributors targeting this audience are. This is a tricky and very specific part of the film industry, but Brad’s will give you the tools you need to better understand it and succeed within it. Praise for Brad's Stage 32 Webinar: "This was superb! He was very open and helpful. I really appreciated him walking us through his business plan." -Crystal B. "He was so informational and inspiring with all he presented. Thanks to Brad Wilson and Stage 32 for presenting this." -Ann K. "Brad Wilson is personable, professional, and knowledgeable. I feel inspired to rework my script and shop it for production" -Darlyn K. "This was very informative. I have not written in this area, but hearing about how these movies get made is very inspiring. I can now see the steps that are needed. It is so great to get his wisdom and the practical step by step how to." -Mary S.
Netflix + Stage 32 Present: How to Write Comedy Scripts for Streaming Television
SEE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BELOW Netflix and Stage 32 have partnered on an exclusive global education series in an effort to democratize the worldwide entertainment industry. Together, over the course of 5 webcasts Stage 32's world class educators will bring their knowledge of what it takes to write, develop and produce today's television for the Stage 32 and Netflix creator community. These global webcasts have been seen by hundreds of thousands of creatives worldwide with a 100% satisfaction rate! In our third webinar in this exclusive "Creating Television Content for a Global Marketplace" series, we are going to talk about how you can effectively write comedy screenplays for streaming television. We're in an exciting time as we watch more and more comedies cross borders.The ability to bring humor to your storytelling is key to help you bond with a global audience. And, with streamers like Netflix looking for new, exciting, original funny stories from all over the world to produce, you have to put yourself in the best position to make sure your comedy stands out. Shows like The Office have brought us together realizing that we all go through the same mundane work issues. Shows like Everybody Loves Raymond have helped us see that we all experience the same family dynamics and can laugh at them. Do you find humor in everyday things? Or, do you have a creative mind that invents humorous situations? If so, then comedy television writing is for you and Stage 32 and Netflix are going to teach you the ins and outs of writing great comedy screenplays. To help you learn how to write great comedy television is Vijal Patel, an Emmy-nominated and Peabody Award-winning writer and producer who has written for many award-winning comedy series including Black-Ish, The Middle, The Kids Are Alright, The Mayor and more. Vijal has built his career on writing comedy and using it to explore race, family, religion, politics, and class struggle. He is currently working on a show for Netflix. Vijal will go into more detail on nuances of comedy, how your pilot will set you up for your season and how to make sure that you are breaking your story correctly to fall in your story lines. The case studies he's going to go over in the webinar are: Black-ish The Middle Seinfeld Schitt’s Creek Gilligan’s Island Silicon Valley Everybody Loves Raymond The Office Insecure Vijal will provide you 5 handouts: Chart of basic TV Comedy Genres with their respective traits Handy Dialog Tips Creating Characters Checklist 3 Act Pilot Structure and what each act does 3 Act Breakdown of "Black-ish" Pilot (simple) Note: You will receive the Zoom link to login by the morning of the webinar. If you are not yet a member of the Stage 32 community, we encourage you to join the community today at www.stage32.com, it is FREE! You will instantly connect with over 800,000 creatives and professionals in the entertainment industry from all over the world who use Stage 32 to network, find work, learn and develop their projects. YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO.
Register / Log In
