As soon as I arrived,  my nausea dissipated, my fears were washed away, and a warm buzz of anticipation took over. When I started meeting other writers, I realized what a cool group of people were there, all making the trip for the same reason as I was: to become a better writer and make some great connections.

It was like a smorgasbord  of mind blowing creative exercises, challenging ideas, informative panels and Barri Evans has these amazing pitching exercises! The mentors were a cool group: a really great bunch of managers, screenwriters, producers all totally different, giving a broad range of insight, who really love working with writers and discovering material.

I felt very challenged and inspired by my mentoring sessions with Leah Estrin, Joe Forte, Phil Eisner, Michelle Sy and Brandy Rivers. They really went deep into the material - a thriller treatment - and questioned me in a way which made me really sink my teeth into the story and develop the characters far beyond my original concept of them. I just finished the screenplay for that treatment and constantly referred to their notes while writing the script.

From the get-go, starting with Lisanne, Clea and all the mentors, everyone was incredibly helpful and nurturing, offering extraordinary insight and advice on all aspects of the writing process, as well as the business end of it. The other really cool thing about the retreat were the relationships I formed with other writers who were there.

I’ve stayed close with a few, and we do script notes for each other and encourage each other. I’ve also stayed in contact with some of the mentors, which has been incredibly helpful as I make my way through this obstacle course known as forging a screenwriting career. 

First of all, we would like to take a moment to thank each and every writer who submitted work to the contest this year. We know how much goes into every script and are honored that you shared your work with us.  

2012 CineStory Screenwriting awards quarterfinalists

• A BETTER WORLD, David Heiman, Los Angeles, CA
• A MATCH MADE IN HELL, Marjory Kaptanoglu, Belmont, CA
• ADAM & EVE, John Vasicek, Lafayette, CA
• ALLEGIANCE, Josh Daws & Jeremiah Daws, Burbank, CA
• ANGEL OF MERCY, Leslie Flannery, Livermore, CA
• BANK ROBBING FOR DUMMIES, Robert Keith Watson, Sherman Oaks, CA
• BENEATH THE SURFACE, Deirdre Brenner, South Pasadena, CA
• BLOOD ATONEMENT, Shawn Pittard, Sacramento CA
• BUTTERFLY CHILDREN, Melanie Schiele, New York, NY
• CARDBOARD CASTLE, Mike Sundy, Clayton, CA
• CLOUDKILL, Brent Hartinger, Seattle, WA
• COLLIDER, Rebecca Handley, Eltham, U.K.
• DADDY'S LITTLE COLLEGE GIRL, Anuj Desai, Greenville NC
• DARK BEAUTY, James Watts, San Francisco, CA
• DEAD ENDERS, Brent Hartinger, Seattle, WA
• DIAMOND EXPRESS, Kyle Curry, Centennial, CO
• ETOPIA, Tommy Butler, San Francisco, CA
• FIG HUNT: THE QUEST FOR BATTLE ARMOR STAR CAPTAIN, Aaron Marshall, Los Angeles, CA
• FISH STICKS, Stephen Buck, Playa del Rey, CA
• FIT FOR LIFE, Jennie Allen, Brooklyn, NY
• HELL & HIGH WATER, Adam Sugerman, HI
• HERE WITH ME, Mikki Daughtry, Los Angeles, CA
• I, OF THE HURRICANE, Ken Pearson, Tempe, AZ
• KELLEY'S COFFIN, Jon Hartz, Milwaukee, WI
• LE MECANO, Lukas Hassel, New York, NY
• LET THE GAMES BEGIN, Stephan Bugaj, San Pablo, CA
• LUCY GOES BALLISTIC, Charlie Lyons, Somerville, MA
• MY GREATEST MISTAKE, Rebecca Rocheford Davies, Woollahra, Australia
• NOVELTY, Ben Feuer, Astoria, NY
• OLIVINE, Steve Shelley, Melbourne, Australia
• OXMOSIS, Stephen Wolf, Los Angeles, CA
• REASONABLY CRAZY, Chris Willis, Narragansett, RI
• SMALL TOWN ODDS, Jason Headley, San Francisco, CA
• SOMEONE MUST DIE, Joe Henriques, Putnam, CT
• STAYCATION, Sundae Jahant-Osborn, London, U.K.
• THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS, Michael Trozzo, Los Angeles, CA
• THE CULLINGS PRINCIPLE, Christine Autrand Mitchell, Fresno, CA
• THE LAST DOMINO, Adam Meyer, Washington, D.C.
• THE LITTLE WHITE KART, Don Bastida, Irvine, CA
• THE LONG SHORT DROP, Georgia Lin Sundling, Los Angeles, CA
• THE MADNESS OF POE, Robert Hayhurst, El Cajon, CA
• THE PAPER ROUTE, Danny Howell, McLean, VA
• THE RETURN OF BROADWAY JOE, John Covarrubias, Pasadena, CA
• THE STARKS, Bill Hanson, New York, NY
• THE VIRGIN MARTHA, Matt Mallon, Los Angeles, CA
• THE WINTER HOUSE HAUNTING, Dayle Ann Hunt, New York, NY
• THE YARROW KING, Brad Kane, Mill Valley, CA
• THEN YOU DIE, Gregory Hill, Dorchester, MA
• THIS IS THE SEA, Michael Ian Farrell, Teri Robinson & Graham Struthers, British Columbia, Canada
• TOTAL GIRLFRIEND, Susan Brunig, Oakland, CA
• TRIAL BY ERROR, Susan Cain, Palm Desert, CA
• TRYST, Daniel Edgar, Los Angeles, CA
• VERONA, Michael Werwie, Los Angeles CA

Some say we are living in a golden age of television. From zombies to serial killers to singing teens, it seems like there's more original programming than ever. But does this also mean more opportunities for new writers? What are the practical steps you need to take if you're considering a career in television? What kinds of sample scripts are showrunners looking for these days? 

This month on the podcast we bring you a conversation between three pros working in TV. From producing to writing to repping, our mentors have all the bases covered. So tune in to learn what's going on in the world of TV and what this means for people trying to break in right now.   

Ever wondered how the pros do it? Here's your chance to hear working Hollywood writers share advice, tools and methods for mastering the craft of screenwriting.

Featuring Philip Eisner, Jonathan Fernandez, Glenn Gers, Meg LeFauve and Pat Verducci.

Thanks to our mentors for participating in the session and for giving permission to share this with you. Thanks also to composer Don Bodin for use of his track Home.

CineStory is a non-profit organization. So if you like what you hear, consider making a donation to support these podcasts.

The launch of the 2012 CineStory webinar series is right around the corner. So pre-register today to reserve your place.

Affordably priced with discounted packages, topics include preparing your material for the market place, understanding how recent changes in the Hollywood system affect screenwriters and advice on how to resolve nagging story issues.

Webinars take place in April, June and November.

Another gem from our 2011 Retreat! Just in time for Valentine's Day, this discussion explores the importance of writing from heart as well as maintaining a consistent tone, executing exciting set pieces and much more.

Thanks to our mentors for participating in the session and for giving permission to share this with you. Thanks also to composer Don Bodin for use of his track Home.   

CineStory is a non-profit organization. So if you like what you hear, consider making a donation to support these podcasts.

For the first time ever, step inside a CineStory Retreat

informal room!    

Recorded at the 2011 Retreat, this podcast features two literary managers discussing strategies for writing scripts that sell, spec'ing TV shows, as well as finding and working with a manager or agent.

Just click on the 'Play' icon below:

Follow three follow three aspiring screenwriters in this documentary that explores how far people will go - and how much they will sacrifice - for the chance to pursue their dreams. The film also features pro writers such as Nora Ephron, Steven de Souza and Paul Guay.

Check it out on Snag Films for free:

CineStory is delighted to be launching its podcast series with this Q&A session with previous CSA winner and mentor, Mark Fergus.    

Recorded at a live From Script to Screen event this May, hear this Academy Award nominee discuss his work on CHILDREN OF MEN, IRON MAN and COWBOYS AND ALIENS as well as answering questions about working with producers and his  pitching strategy.   

Thanks to Mark for participating in the session and for sharing his screenwriting tips and experience. 

Thanks also to composer Don Bodin for use of his track Home.

This is an exclusive early release, so download or listen to the podcast here before it hits iTunes!

Just click on the link below:

One of the writers who attended the 2011 Retreat, Jamie talks about the importance of understanding Thematic and how the retreat experience has changed him as a writer.