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Who Are Screenwriting Labs For?

By March 7, 2023April 6th, 2023No Comments

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There are a lot of different types of screenwriting labs out there. Still, they all tend to focus on the same areas of development: screenwriting — usually a particular sample and career. 

But it’s not just about knowing what types of screenwriting labs are out there. It’s also about knowing who they’re for. Let’s go over what types of writers screenwriting labs are designed to help the most.

Experienced Writers Looking to Take The Next Step in Their Career

What’s a screenwriting lab, anyway? Well, they generally pack a lot of punch into a given time period. Over the course of a few days, participants will have many different opportunities meant to strengthen their writing and career trajectory. Some examples include developing the entry scripts, coordinating notes-giving sessions with peers attending specific workshops, and connecting with professionals in the industry.

By the end of that period, screenwriters will have a stronger writing sample, deeper knowledge about the business of screenwriting, and developed connections with a network of peers and industry professionals.

The most significant thing about labs is that they are a polishing platform. Unlike a masterclass or a screenwriting course, they are not usually meant for beginning writers.

Labs are meant for screenwriters who have honed their craft and can enter with not only strong writing skills but also a project they’re ready to work on during the lab.

This is important because, by the time they emerge from the lab, they are ready for a union-worthy job in the entertainment industry.

Read More: Screenwriting Labs vs. Competitions: What’s the Difference?

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Diverse Writers

Representation matters on screen and behind the camera. Any writer who feels like they come from an underrepresented community can benefit from a lab that celebrates and understands their viewpoint — especially if their writing sample also drives new ideas forward.

WeScreenplay’s Diverse Voices Lab is a dynamic virtual screenwriting lab with a proven track record of helping elevate stories told from perspectives often underrepresented in film and TV today. This includes writers of color, women writers, writers with disabilities, writers over 40, writers in the LGBTQ+ community, and any other voices that Hollywood has historically ignored.  

Diverse Voices is meant to elevate writers that have been previously excluded from Hollywood. Embracing the inclusion of stories from different races, religions, sexes, nationalities, backgrounds, and experiences drives creativity and innovation, improves productivity and performance by including a wider range of skills and knowledge in our stories, and fosters personal growth and goodwill in our communities. 

Read More: 6 Major Takeaways from the Spring 2022 Diverse Voices Lab

Short Script Writers

Short scripts are a fantastic way to get your screenwriting feet wet, explore a new genre, hone your craft, and get noticed. With so many Oscar-qualifying film festivals, it’s also one way to gain recognition within the entertainment industry!

WeScreenplay offers writers an opportunity to develop their short scripts through the Short Script Lab, which helps define the next steps in their project’s journey – whether that’s self-producing, crowdfunding, or connecting it with a production company looking for short content.

WeScreenplay also partners with entities like Seed&Spark, which offers one-on-one mentoring for the Top 25 Finalists. As with every WeScreenplay competition, every entry gets one page of feedback from readers.

Read More: The Dos and Don’ts of Writing a Short Film

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Writers Who Want to Work in TV

Breaking in as a screenwriter is tough all on its own, but adding the relatively mysterious and guarded nature of working in television makes getting your foot in the door is all the more difficult.

Labs specifically designed for aspiring TV writers lift the veil of the television industry and make the path toward getting work clearer and more straightforward. Usually, these labs will offer participants a chance to receive mentorship from managers and agents who cater to TV writers, as well as TV executives that know the business they’re trying to break into.

WeScreenplay’s TV Pilot Lab delivers a one-of-a-kind virtual writing lab hosted by top managers, agents, writers, and more. Winners participate in an interactive 4-day virtual lab with hands-on workshops and industry meetings, in addition to learning from working TV writers.

From single cams and multi-cams to procedurals to streamers to mini-series, there is a lot of variety in “television writing” these days. It’s also more competitive than ever to get staffed on a show — or multiple shows with short seasons — and earn a living wage. Some writers are great at selling pilots or preparing to step into producer and showrunner roles. 

The TV Lab covers all of the nuances of TV writing and the critical career necessity of building a network. WeScreenplay connects TV Lab participants with producers, literary reps, and other working writers to help answer questions and prepare you for a successful television career.

Read More: An Insider Look at the 2022 TV Writing Lab

Feature Film Writers

In the same way that TV writers need guidance from those who know TV, feature film writers need guidance from those who know feature films. Getting feedback and insight from professionals who not only know the industry but know what a good, marketable feature film script looks like is incredibly important to take the next step in your career.

The WeScreenplay Feature Lab is similar in formatting to the TV Lab in that it helps elevate screenwriting skills while connecting writers with a network of professionals and peers in the industry. Features and television differ in various aspects, such as style, formatting, what buyers and producers seek, and career development opportunities. This is crucial to ensure that you’re getting the specific advice and guidance needed for this type of writing.

The Feature Lab brings in working feature writers to help mentor lab participants as well as managers and execs from Jax Media, Make Good Content, Zero Gravity, Curate, Sony Television, MGM Studios, Lionsgate, Pascal Pictures, and many more. 

It is specifically designed to help writers determine what path they should take with their screenplay, from using it as a writing sample to gain representation, to selling it, to self-producing it.

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Writers Looking for a Community

Screenwriting labs are a perfect place to find a community, which is great because networking is a huge part of being a successful writer. So, if you’re a writer that doesn’t belong to a community but really, really wants to, you might want to take a look at participating in a lab.

Screenwriting labs are designed to bring writers of all walks of life together to offer support, advice, and many times long-lasting friendships to each other — which, let’s be honest, writing can be a cold and lonely endeavor. Having that community can be the thing that keeps you going during hard times while also giving you suggestions on great fidgets to use while brainstorming your next story. 

While writing begins with following our creativity, the screenwriting career is a very competitive one. Writers must also learn the business they hope to join. Features or TV? TV drama or comedy? Sitcoms or multi-cams? 

Self-producing is a time-consuming and expensive endeavor, so even short films should come with a strong “why.” why do you want to make this film? To enter into festivals? Which ones and why? To share online and grow your network? Which platform? Do you want it to be a proof of concept for a full-length piece? Do you have that script written? 

There is so much to consider when you are serious about your career. Screenwriting labs are a great resource for finalizing and implementing that plan, along with a network of people who can support you. Set yourself up for success by making your writing submission as strong as possible and submit to the lab that will best help you along the way. Choose from our selection of screenwriting labs and get started today!

If you want to jump in even further, check out The Ultimate Guide to Screenwriting Labs!


Shannon CorbeilShannon Corbeil is a writer, actor, and U.S. Air Force veteran in Los Angeles with recent appearances on SEAL Team and The Rookie. She was also a 2023 DGE TV Writing Program Finalist, and her screenplays have placed in various contests. You can read more about her on her website or come play on Instagram and Twitter!