CineStory and Austin Film Festival

Last week I attended the CineStory Retreat in Idyllwild, CA and the Austin Film Festival in Austin, TX, where one of my screenplays was a finalist in the drama category of their script contest (I did not win). Both were quite enjoyable, but the small size of the CineStory Retreat really created an atmosphere in which you could not only be very collaborative and honest in discussions and mentoring sessions, but also in which to start building real long-term friendships.

Me and my new friend Nino Del Pesco at CineStory

The CineStory retreat generally has about 18 – 24 writer participants, and about the same number of mentors (including staff mentors). Writers get four 90 minute one-on-one sessions with a mentor (one CineStory staffer, and three volunteer pros), and the rest of the time is spent in group “informal” sessions that are organized around a particular topic and consist of discussions and/or exercises. The mentors are working writers, producers, and writers’ representatives. It was definitely worth the time and money: I got fantastic notes on two of my screenplays, refined three existing pitches, came up with a new potentially viable idea during an exercise, and met a number of great people whom I hope to remain in touch with indefinitely. Highly recommended.

Me and my new friend James Walker at CineStory

Austin Film Festival is a major film festival, and pretty much the festival for screenwriting. In addition to a week long schedule of film screenings, Austin has a four day conference focused mainly on screenwriting craft and business that attracts interesting and experienced speakers like Lawrence Kasdan, Shane Black, William Broyles Jr., Chris McQuarrie, Boaz Yakin, Herschel Weingrod, Tim McCanlies, and Dan Petrie Jr. This was my second year at Austin, and I had a very good time — even better than last year. In addition to meeting some really cool people, whom I also hope to remain in touch with indefinitely, I attended some informative panels and roundtable sessions. Also highly recommended.

Generally I am skeptical of both festivals and retreats, but both CineStory and Austin were great. I plan to go back to both in future years.