This hands-on screenwriting workshop is for anyone, from beginner to seasoned pro. In the 90-minute session, we will tackle multiple screenwriting prompts, focusing on character and dialogue. Then students will have the opportunity to read their just-written work aloud, with time for instructor feedback. By the end of the workshop, you can expect to walk out with the first draft of a microshort. 

Meg Swertlow is a screenwriter/director born and raised in Los Angeles (yes, native Angelenos really do exist!). She focuses primarily on genre storytelling (think lots of fake blood and fake knives) but has a background in stand-up and improv comedy. Meg has directed nine short films as well as a comedy pilot. Her work has played in over 70 film festivals, including Austin Film Festival, Fantastic Fest and FrightFest UK. Her debut feature film NO OVERNIGHT PARKING, which she wrote and is attached to direct, will be produced by acclaimed producer Cathy Konrad (Scream, Walk the Line). Meg has participated in the K. Period/Blumhouse’s “Screamwriting” Lab, Ryan Murphy’s Half-Initiative Director Program (at nine months pregnant), Hedgebrook Screenwriters’ Lab, the Middlebury Screenwriters’ Lab, and was the grand prize winner of The ISA's Shoot Your Short Contest. Prior to screenwriting and directing, Meg had a decade-long career writing breaking news in entertainment journalism. She is repped by Echo Lake Entertainment.