Hook the Reader in Your First 5 Pages

Hosted by The Write Now Challenge

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The Write Now Challenge

Webinar hosted by: The Write Now Challenge

Allen James Roughton is the Stage 32 Script Services Coordinator, a screenwriter, reader and development researcher who has consulted on over 100 projects, scripts, books, comics and films and conducted research on life stories, exposés, professions and locations for development at major production companies. Nick Assunto is part of the Stage 32 script services team and a repped screenwriter himself. He was previously a reader for the Austin Film Festival, a writer for the 2017 CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase, co-host of the Sunday show B.Y.O.T. at UCB, and dabbled in acting, having been featured on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, an eHarmony commercial directed by Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst (for real), and is infamously known as Tony, the annoying party member from the 'Four Friends' Elder Scrolls spots. Full Bio »

Webinar Summary

Most Execs will toss a script if they aren't hooked in the first 5 pages. We challenged you to create or polish a teaser or opening sequence that builds a world, characters, and plot that leave us begging to read more!

What You'll Learn

We challenged you to write or polish the a teaser or opening sequence (5 pages or less) where you focused on creating a sequence that builds your world, tone, characters, and the hook of your plot to leave the reader begging to see more!
 
We took a look at your submissions to focus on how you addressed the challenge, your successes, and the difficulties faced.

About Your Instructor

Allen James Roughton is the Stage 32 Script Services Coordinator, a screenwriter, reader and development researcher who has consulted on over 100 projects, scripts, books, comics and films and conducted research on life stories, exposés, professions and locations for development at major production companies.

Nick Assunto is part of the Stage 32 script services team and a repped screenwriter himself. He was previously a reader for the Austin Film Festival, a writer for the 2017 CBS Diversity Sketch Comedy Showcase, co-host of the Sunday show B.Y.O.T. at UCB, and dabbled in acting, having been featured on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, an eHarmony commercial directed by Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst (for real), and is infamously known as Tony, the annoying party member from the 'Four Friends' Elder Scrolls spots.

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Other education that may be of interest to you:

The Write Now Webcast: Breaking the 4th Wall

Using the principles learned in the Breakdown Webcast: Breaking the 4th Wall, this month members were challenged to write a short scene in which the character(s) break the fourth wall to drive the plot forward, reveal character and deliver exposition. As part of the webcast, Jason turns the microphone over to the writers to read their projects aloud for the other members in the group. 

The Write Now Challenge: Phone a Friend (or an Enemy)

In this challenge, members were asked to write one side of a phone conversation. The challenge is to give us the full idea of the story, the conflict, the relationship between the characters, and the ultimate resolution. The key to this exercise is to make the stakes high! Can the writer phrase their character’s dialogue so that the phone call still makes sense - and give us the exposition we need?  During this webcast we received a number of fantastic entries that spanned genres, including Rom Com, Thriller, Drama, and Comedy, and more! 

The Write Now Challenge: Your Pitch to Adapt Existing Intellectual Property

Based on the Breakdown Webcast by Writers' Room member Stephen Potts, write a pitch for a producer explaining the piece of IP you want to adapt and why.

The Write Now Webcast: Plot Twists!

Welcome to the final Writers' Room webcast of 2019! The last broadcast of the year was the Write Now Challenge: Plot Twists! This month you were challenged to write a scene in 3-5 pages that tells a story with a major plot twist. This is no easy feat and perhaps the most difficult challenge we have faced to date! There is also a special question and answer session during the broadcast, where members asked me anything about the industry, the craft, the business, your screenwriting career or any other burning questions you may have!  

The Write Now Challenge: Black Limousine

We're revved and ready to go for the final webcast of September 2020 in the Writers' Room during the Write Now Challenge Webcast: Black Limousine!  In this challenge, you were asked to write a short scene (1-3 pages in length) using the prompt below as your opening.  EXT. STORE PARKING LOT – LATE AFTERNOONA YOUNG WOMAN, 20's, stands in the parking lot of a shabby-looking grocery store. She wears a work apron beneath her winter jacket. Just about to light up a cigarette, she suddenlyfreezes. Peering ahead she sees a BLACK LIMOUSINE coming toward her. There were some fantastic entries from our members that took this prompt in every direction - from Comedy to Drama, Supernatural to Sci-Fi, and even Thriller! It was a fantastic showcase of our members' imaginations. 

Distinct Dialogue & Character Voices

When your characters each have their own voice, you should be able to tell them apart by their dialogue alone. We challenged you to write a scene removing all character names and descriptions so that each character is distinguishable by their dialogue alone.

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