I've been trying for the past 3 or 4 months to find a place to share, workshop, learn from fellow SERIOUS and PROFESSIONAL screenwriters. My conclusion is such a space just doesn't exist. Am I wrong? I'd love to hear from someone who had found somewhere. I'm going to set out to create my own over the next month. "If you build it they will come."
Do you mean like a writers circle?
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We, FIFO (Fade In/Fade Out), have exactly what you described, with the caveat that it is "our" version of what you described. And it is always evolving, in flux, as we discuss and argue - heated debates, really - about the challenges, goals, needs and quality of screenplays. We meet formally every first Tuesday of the month (see our Meetup post), and then splinter off into sub groups as specific issues arise. What we continue to learn is that consensus is nearly impossible; "rules" are always challenged; and that there is no silver bullet in screenwriting because the definition of screenwriting success is up to the individual. We have also learned to encourage, support and stay open to new ideas and concepts; never, ever criticize the person and to be gentle in our critiques.
By never ever criticizing and being gentle in critiques, no one ever learns or actually improves and thats why most screenwriting groups are nothing more than a social gathering and not actually helpful. I've spoken to some Wonderful groups, but there needs to be a professional in the group leading the charge. if everyone is at the same level then it's just the blind leading the blind.
Are you looking for a place where you can post your script for feedback? If so, you can always try the revamped Zoetrope
I was badly trolled by a moderator on Zoetrope. That was my personal experience there.
Really! I've been there for years and never seen a moderator but if you're copping crap from mods then that's just not on. Sorry to hear that.
I've always found face-to-face groups more beneficial than online ones.
Face to face would of course be ideal but my experience here in Ireland is the community is just too small to sustain anything meaningful.