[Monthly] Industry Access On-Ramp Program

What to Expect

For writers who are committed to their craft and are ready to make screenwriting more than just a hobby, Roadmap Writers offers our Career Writer Program. These feedback-driven sessions put the Career Writer in immersive and interactive roundtables, making them competitive in the marketplace while helping them build relationships with as many industry professionals as possible.

The vast majority of our Success Stories come from writers in our Career Writer Program, many of whom have gone on to sign with companies such as CAA, Gotham Group, Gersh, Zero Gravity, Circle of Confusion, and more!

Step 1: Pitch Prep Program

Step 2: Marketing Intensive

Step 3: Portfolio Polishing

Step 4: Manager Track

Step 5: Top Tier

Description
Schedule
About / Testimonials
Guidelines

On-Ramp is an introduction to the Career Writer Program. Writers must complete Steps 1-3 to be considered for our Top Tier Program.

After registering, you will be placed on the Class List for the following calendar month so you can get the full benefit of the month's sessions.

Industry Access On-Ramp Program

Here's a little secret: being the most talented writer in the world will only take you so far in Hollywood. Professional writers know this, and so, to push their scripts ahead of the pack, they are excellent at expanding their network and keeping their pitches sharp. Roadmap brings a unique program to make our writers as competitive as ever.

In this program, we provide writers with educational tools, collaboration opportunities, and pitching strategies to help writers take their craft to the next level. Also, just for being a member, you'll receive access to bonus sessions, exclusive discounts, and secret executives not available to the general public.

This month you will: Learn a formula to structure your logline. Master tone and voice when pitching. Practice with professionals who can help you identify where your pitch is weakest—and strongest. And gain confidence for the hot seat!

Logline Rehab + Private 15-Min. Logline Consult
Live Verbal Pitch Prep Lecture w/ Literary Manager + Private 15-Min. Verbal Pitch Prep Consult
Open Pitch Session + Private 15-Min. Consult on Exec's Feedback
Live Verbal Pitch Roundtable w/ industry exec
Written Opening Pages Analysis of your script's first 3 pages
2x On-Demand Webinar Recordings of your choice
Each month's 2-3x Live Sunday Webinars + the recordings
and more!

All sessions take place 100% online utilizing video conferencing software ZOOM so writers can participate from anywhere in the world!

This program can be repeated monthly as the content and execs available refresh each month—save $20 if you start a monthly subscription to the Roadmap Writers Industry Access On-Ramp—only $69!

[RECORDING] Logline Rehab Lecture + Assignment

Summary

Learn a formula for creating a standout logline for ANY project, and privately workshop the logline for one of your own projects!

Host:

Terra Joy - Director of Consultations & Script Services, Roadmap Writers

Terra Joy started her career in Washington, DC as a journalist and managed a documentary film campaign, where she was also very active in the local screenwriting community. She's been to 35+ countries, has a BA in Political Science, and loves helping other writers develop their material. As a writer herself, Terra focuses on character-driven comedies and dramas, and has a soft spot for true story adaptations. Before joining the RoadCrew, she was a reader for Slamdance. When she's not connecting awesome creative people with other awesome creative people, she's nerding out on psychology, analyzing her favorite movies and TV shows, and trying to find the best boba tea flavor.

Verbal Pitch Prep Lecture

Date / Time

Wed, 03/01/2023 @ 06:00PM - 9:00PM PT

Summary

This lecture and Q&A will cover:

The general structure of a pitch
Honing in on the basic goals of pitching
Tips on holding an exec's attention during your pitch
And you'll hear an example verbal pitch to get you off on the right foot!

Host:

Chris Deckard - Manager / Co-Founder, Fictional Entity

Prior to co-founding the management/production company Fictional Entity in early 2017, Chris Deckard spent over seven years working with and representing talent at the major agencies ICM Partners and WME. While at WME, Chris worked in the media rights department, selling books for series and film adaptations before moving into the talent department, where he worked closely with high level actors in film, television, and the then-emerging digital space. While at ICM Partners, he again worked with high level actors and worked closely with the packaging and sales department and the digital media group. For over a decade, Chris has worked closely with traditional and new media buyers to find and develop content for domestic and international audiences. In addition to helping cast and package numerous features and series, he has evaluated thousands of scripts for actors and directors. Chris graduated from Cornell University and earned his J.D. from Notre Dame Law School.

Chris helps his clients navigate the evolving entertainment landscape in the United States and abroad. He has negotiated deals for features, series, and podcasts in several international territories. His clients have been named to The Black List, The Hit List, The Young & Hungry List, The Blood List and been lauded by the PAGE Awards, the International Emmys, and The GLAAD Awards. Clients have also earned nominations and placements from The Heath Ledger Scholarship, The Academy Nicholl Screenwriting Awards, the AWG, ADG, SPA, and AACTA. Clients have written, directed, starred, and produced in numerous formats, including features, TV, virtual reality, and podcasts, independently and for companies like Netflix, Lucasfilm, NBCUniversal, Legendary, Marvel, Fremantle, SyFy, the CW, Warner Bros., Amazon, Blumhouse, Hulu, XYZ, The BBC, Comedy Central, the ABC Australia, Foxtel, TruTV, Super Deluxe, Hallmark, Lifetime, CBS, Facebook, E!, and MSNBC.

Several of Chris’ clients had films shoot in 2021, including one for Netflix, and another which sold to XYZ Films, both of which are slated for 2022 release. Within the past year, clients have sold series to Amazon, Netflix, eOne, and Hulu. Chris, along with his business partner, is also an Executive Producer on a scripted series project alongside two writing EPs from New Amsterdam which sold to Universal Television in 2021.

Logline Rehab Clinic

Date / Time

Wed, 03/08/2023 @ 05:00PM - 7:00PM PT

Summary

Learn a formula for creating a standout logline for ANY project, and workshop the logline for one of your own projects live during the session!

Host:

Terra Joy - Director of Consultations & Script Services, Roadmap Writers

Uncle James' Pitchin' Kitchen

Date / Time

Fri, 03/10/2023 @ 04:00PM - 6:00PM PT

Summary

Come get tips on pitching, practice your pitch with others in the Roadmap community, or just listen to what works and what doesn't as you cheer on your fellow writers!

Host:

James Moorer - Director of Writer Outreach & Diversity Initiatives, Roadmap Writers

James is a best-selling author, working screenwriter, producer, director, and motivational speaker who loves to find a way to succeed. James has also worked as an actor and voice talent on numerous projects. His company, Hammerjaxx Films, sponsors one of the prizes in our Diversity Initiative. He's passionate about finding the story within the story and helping writers find both their voice and their own given greatness. His other passion is being the San Fernando valley's expert on Pancakes.

Verbal Pitch Roundtable

Date / Time

Thu, 03/16/2023 @ 06:00PM - 8:30PM PT

Summary

You will take turns delivering your 5-minute verbal pitch to an industry professional in an online roundtable setting. Following your pitch, the exec will give you verbal feedback on what worked and suggestions for further improvement. If there’s any time left at the end after everyone has pitched, we’ll open it up to general Q&A.

Host:

Brian Williamson, Lionsgate

From working on a Netflix sets, to sitting in on pitches at Amazon Studios, to processing deals at a high-end agency and giving revision notes on big budget features at Silver Pictures, Brian has had the unique opportunity to fulfill many roles around the industry. At Silver Pictures and Dark Castle Entertainment, Brian tracked submissions, and provided feedback on drafts and dailies for multi-million dollars projects such as SUPERFLY, SHERLOCK HOLMES, SUBURBICON and more. He next went on to Muse Entertainment as the Development Coordinator where he has been involved in the development of a large slate of projects for Hallmark Channel, Netflix, Apple, Amazon and HBO. Most notably he worked on adapting The Martha Vineyard Mysteries into the highest rated Hallmark mystery series yet, as well as developed multiple treatments that were purchased for development at Muse. Currently Brian is working as an Independent Story Editor working with multiple high profile production companies to develop, edit and enhance specific projects and screenplays.

The Name of the Game: Trade Talk

Date / Time

Fri, 03/17/2023 @ 05:00PM - 6:30PM PT

Summary

We all want to be successful, but the path to success can feel so long and daunting that we don't know where to start. Or we're sitting around waiting for the perfect rep/producer/network to somehow find our screenplay and launch our careers. But the world has changed. These days, it takes more than a great screenplay to be successful in this business—it takes unrelenting business-minded discipline. Daily. Screenwriters must be more than a unique creative voice—you must also be savvy and well-versed on the changes in TV & film and the people behind them. Understanding the business of show business is an essential skill for every screenwriter. Because business... is The Name of the Game. This can be time-consuming, so this eye-opening monthly webinar covers the most important industry updates and what you can and should be doing right now to further your career without sacrificing time for your craft. Execs are encyclopedias when it comes to industry knowledge. Learn how to impress with your ability to talk shop in any meeting!

Host:

James Moorer - Director of Writer Outreach & Diversity Initiatives, Roadmap Writers

Opening Pages Analysis

Date / Time

Wed, 03/29/2023 @ 06:30PM - 8:30PM PT

Summary

Joey will give several volunteer writers from the Marketing Intensive (Step 2 of the Career Writer Program) specific feedback on their opening 3 pages. The pages will be shared on-screen with the rest of the group so everybody can learn from the feedback. The Opening Pages Analysis will start with a lecture on some of the immediate reasons an executive might pass on your work... and you might not even know you're doing one of these things! Remember, most execs won't read past page 5 if they aren't hooked from the start.

Host:

Joey Tuccio - CEO & Co-Founder, Roadmap Writers

Joey started in the industry at Bold Films (DRIVE, NIGHTCRAWLER, WHIPLASH) and has read for Hugh Jackman's company, George Clooney's company, and Night and Day Pictures, to name a few. The only thing Joey is more passionate about than helping writers is rescuing dogs.

Testimonials

I honestly am so grateful for everything I learned during any of my sessions with Roadmap, it definitely opened my eyes to a new side of the business, and it's especially helped with all of my pitches (I still refer to your pitch tips)!

~ Ashlei Hardenburg-Cartagena, Screenwriter (2021-22 Warner Bros. Writers’ Workshop Fellow)

I can't believe how much I'm getting out of my journey down the 'road'. Working with Roadmap is the single smartest decision I've made since I started writing.

~ Tom Holowach, Screenwriter

Dorian is a force of nature! It was such a pleasure working with her in the Pitch Prep Program and Marketing Intensive. Our group learned so much; it's clear our confidence is growing every time we pitch—all thanks to Roadmap! We received specific notes, invaluable guidance, and, most importantly, we laughed all along the way.

~ Brenda Lynn Bynum, Screenwriter

Thank you so much for all of your help on my project—especially on the business, marketing, and pitching side. Who knows what will come from any given meeting, but it’s a good feeling when someone requests the script or asks about additional materials and if I currently have reps. Right now, an A-lister's development producer is reading the script and I’m meeting with a streaming exec tonight. I feel so much better prepared to pitch and take these meetings because of Roadmap.

~ Todd Hunter, Screenwriter

How it Works

After registering, your confirmation email will include a link for you to access your syllabus for the program, which will include any prep work & resources, class dates & times, join links, assignments, and other instructions.

All interactive sessions are conducted face-to-face via video conferencing software Zoom. While the ability to call in by phone does exist, we strongly recommend taking full advantage of the face-to-face nature of these programs, so you should plan to attend your sessions in front of a computer or stationary tablet at a desk or table in a well-lit room.

Please ensure you are familiar with our Code of Conduct.

**NOTE: Once you have registered for a particular month of the program, you are able to push your registration to a later month up to 7 days prior to the first session of the month for which you originally registered. Please note that the first session of the program may occur up to 5 days prior to the first day of the originally selected month, so check your syllabus accordingly. Changes requested after the 7 day deadline will not be accommodated.