Whether you’re starting a new project, working on a rewrite, or want to learn new skills - join us to hone your craft.
All Classes take place 100% online utilizing free video conferencing software ZOOM so you can participate from anywhere in the world with an internet connection!
Roadmap Writers has helped over 490 writers get signed. Having a talented, connected rep can really help catapult a career. There are many factors in signing with a rep. You obviously need a solid portfolio, but you also need to know how how to pitch, brand yourself, know your personal logline, understand your goals, etc.
This 3-week program will be filled with panels, Q&A and pitch presentations.
We're excited to welcome:
- Mark Saffian - Content House
- Val McLeroy - Epigram
- Adrian Gonzelez - Yak Yak Management
- Devon Byers - Heroes and Villains
- Andrew Kersey - Kersey Management
- Plus more to be announced!
And you can submit a 1-2 page written pitch and 3 managers will select 10 writers each to meet with them live in week 2 to hear their verbal pitch for feedback in front of all the writers (whether selected or not). This is a great way for writers to know why a pitch can pique interest from a rep.
This 3-Week Course Will Cover:
- The dos and don'ts of pitching
- Researching the execs ahead of time
- Discovering your personal logline
- Branding
- Follow up etiquette
- Cultivating the best relationship with your rep
- Live feedback on pitches
- Live Q&A
Roadmap Writers is a talent training and discovery platform for screenwriters ready for a guided path to success. Our programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate your craft and cultivate relationships with industry professionals. Since 2016, we have helped hundreds of writers from all over the world sign to representation, staff on series, and option and produce their projects. Our writers have been staffed on BRIDGERTON, THE FLASH, CHICAGO PD, THE FIRST LADY, NIGHT COURT, THE GOOD DOCTOR, THE RESIDENT, REACHER, SUBJECT TO CHANGE, MAYANS and POKERFACE. Writers have sold, set up and been produced by Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, MGM, American High, New Republic Pictures, Maven Screen Media, Lifetime, Will Packer Studios and Roku.
A graduate of UC Santa Barbara with a degree in Film Studies, Mark Saffian is the owner of literary management company Content House which represents dozens of New York Times Best Selling Authors, screenwriters, directors, and production companies, as well as top names in comic books, video games, and new media. Projects include THE CROOK FACTORY based on the best-selling novel by Dan Simmons (THE TERROR, HYPERION) and the television series ONE SECOND AFTER with Constantin Films based on the best-selling trilogy of books by William Forstchen. Recently, Content House sold or set up series on behalf of its clients to eOne, Warner Bros. Studios, Warner Animation, CW, Comedy Central, Showtime, and HBO. Mark began his career working in the mailroom at Agency for the Performing Arts (APA) before being promoted to an Assistant in the Packaging Department and eventually becoming the Literary Department Development Coordinator where he helped develop pilots and films including the television series 24. After APA, Mark worked as a Development Executive and Story Editor for Sony Pictures and Sid Ganis/Out of the Blue Entertainment where he was a story editor on BIG DADDY and DEUCE BIGELOW: MALE GIGOLO.
A graduate of Michigan State University with a BFA in English, Theatre, and Education, Val McLeroy is currently a Manager/Producer at Epigram Entertainment where she and her producing partner Doug Draizin currently have writers working with Amazon, eOne, NBC, Netflix, and Robert Zemeckis' company. Previously, Val worked as a development and production executive at companies including Atlantic Entertainment (TEEN WOLF) and Green/Epstein Productions (IT). Val has also produced several TV movies, two of which she wrote for Lifetime: HEART OF THE STORM and SPIRIT which has been nominated for a Humanitas award. As a writer and former teacher of English and Drama, Val understands the needs and concerns of writers and loves mentoring emerging talent.
After graduating from the Radio-Television-Film program at The University of Texas at Austin, Adrian started as an intern at Culture Creative Entertainment and quickly worked his way up to EA, promoted to a literary coordinator, and then an agent at the agency. He was instrumental in developing the agency’s well regarded internship program, built a rapport with numerous execs across the industry, and has developed a passion for storytelling. Driven by his love for his clients and their material, he took a step back from the agent world and stepped into being a manager at Yak Yak MGMT; which has allowed him to immerse himself into the talent’s world and foster a community while redefining storytelling for a global audience.
Devon Byers is a Talent & Literary Manager/ Producer at Heroes & Villains Entertainment, one of the industry’s leading talent and literary management and production companies.
At HVE, Devon’s clients sold projects to major studios and platforms including Sony, FX, Warner Bros., Netflix, Discovery, and Tubi. His clients also secured writing and directing positions on film and television shows such as ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, The CW’s CHARMED reboot, A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW, TWISTED HOUSE SITTER, and THE WINCHESTERS. In addition, he represented comic book writers and novelists who have written for publishers including Marvel, DC, IDW, and Legendary.
Prior to HVE, Devon co-founded First Friday Entertainment, a boutique management company focused on representing diverse and underrepresented voices. The company was acquired by HVE in 2022. Earlier in his career, he served as a Development Executive at Ideate Media, where he oversaw literary IP adaptations across live-action and animation, managing scripted development for projects including the BBC America adaptation of Douglas Adams’ DIRK GENTLY'S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY starring Elijah Wood.
A former member of the Television Academy, he holds an MFA in Producing from the American Film Institute (AFI). Founded in November 2007, Heroes and Villains Entertainment is a management and production company representing writers and directors and specializing in the creation of content for the five pillars on entertainment: Film, Television, Video Games, Comic Books, and the Internet.
Clients include SEVERANCE Creator/ Executive Producer Dan Erickson, BLACK CAKE Creator/ Executive Producer Marissa Jo Cerar, THE BOYS Executive Producer David Reed, and THE HUNTING PARTY Creator/ Executive Producer JJ Bailey.
Kersey Management is a boutique literary management company that nurtures unique storytelling voices in film and tv.
A client's action comedy spec NEVER TOO OLD TO DIE, which sold to Amazon Studios with Sylvester Stallone attached to star and produce, is scheduled for preprod in 2025.
Another client optioned an action spec to Thunder Road Pictures (JOHN WICK franchise) and the comedy VACATION FRIENDS 2 — the sequel to VACATION FRIENDS written by clients Tom and Tim Mullen which was Hulu’s biggest 3-day weekend opener for an original in the streamer’s history — premiered on Hulu.
The company’s incredibly talented clients have projects at all the major studios and streamers. In tv, his clients have sold projects to and written on series for ABC, Fox, NBC, CW, AMC’s ALLBLK, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and WGN America to name a few.
In the “independent” film space, clients of Andrew’s literary management company have had projects distributed by IFC, Saban Films, Well Go USA Entertainment and Anchor Bay Films.
Andrew worked his way up through the industry, starting as a production company intern before landing at 3Arts Entertainment. He left 3Arts to gain experience in development at a Universal-based production company, before starting his own management company, Kersey Management.
www.kerseymanagement.com
Mark not only identifies key script issues but generates multiple options to resolve them. He's great at finding ways to move forward.
~ Anonymous Screenwriter
Mark cares about your project and it comes across in his ease and likability. His notes are thoughtful and considerate. He never once made me feel pressured or anything less than a creative. You truly feel he's in your corner and he breaks down your work in ways that are easily understood. I have much appreciation for him in this mentorship.
~ Anonymous Screenwriter
Mark's notes have triggered breakthroughs on some really tough script issues that I have struggled with for quite a while. He seems to get what I'm trying to do with a script, and his suggestions have always been consistent with the core vision I started out with. Sometimes notes reflect a lot about the person giving them and would push a script in a direction that reflects their tastes more than mine - but Mark has a knack of making suggestions that improve the script without intruding on my role as the writer or leading me in directions that I later have to backtrack on.
~ Greg Price, Screenwriter
In such a short time, Andrew provided incredibly important and insightful feedback and was at the same time generous, funny, and grounded. Thank you so much to him!
~ -Alex, Screenwriter
By far the best script feedback I've received. Val was clear about what worked, specific about what didn't, offered practical fixes and most importantly, wasn't afraid to name the elephant in the room - something prior exec's were unable or unwilling to do. But it's the absolute game-changer and I am beyond grateful.
~ Stacy Bannerman, Author & Screenwriter
Andrew was very good at emphasizing the positive aspects of every script, whether or not he came down positively or negatively overall. He was very considerate and well spoken on how he conveyed criticism but it was always clear he was familiar with the material and was speaking from a wealth of knowledge in the industry.
~ Jeremy Palmer, Screenwriter
After only a short "first 15 consultation" with Andrew, I knew I wanted to work with him even more, so I booked a full hour consultation with him. I submitted a pilot script that I had completed several months ago, and was proud of getting to the end of it. But the more I sat with it, the more I felt like it needed something more, but I was just stuck on how to make it better and ultimately more marketable. Andrew's feedback was so incredibly useful, and helped me unlock parts of the story and characters that I had been trying to tell for a while, but didn't quite know how to get there. Even more specifically, Andrew helped me with fleshing out and making primary and secondary characters more three dimensional and true. I really appreciated our conversations and his approach of guiding me towards answers to questions vs. telling me answers right away. He is someone who I would 100% recommend working with, and someone that I hope to continue working with.
~ Sarah Jones, Screenwriter
Our meeting went so well, it went beyond allotted time, so huge thank you to Mark. He said he enjoyed reading my script and suggested some pointed changes that yours truly thought were quite good. This was an amazing chat since, like many writers, we don't often get a chance to discuss our work in detail. Writers are not allowed to say this but, "I can't find the words to express my gratitude!"
~ Kevin Michael Irvine, Screenwriter
Andrew's feedback was extremely useful. He pointed out the strengths as well as the weaknesses of the script. I have no doubt that the script will be vastly improved because of his feedback. I would highly recommend him.
~ Anne Jordan, Screenwriter
Andrew was very well prepared and very thorough! He was encouraging, yet very honest and frank in his feedback. I've worked very hard on this script over the years and yet Andrew helped me to see arguably the most important changes I needed to make. I am truly thankful that Roadmap Writers started these kinds of Career Writer's mentoring sessions. Wonderful!
~ Walter Tucker, Screenwriter
Practical and extraordinarily personalized. Val is confident and able to help, not the usual cookie cutter responses. Amazing how many teachable moments I received from Val. The first 15 pages have been looked at before, but she educated me on gaps that other consulting professionals missed or passed on. You are very lucky to have her.
~ Tricia Tribble, Screenwriter
Cancellation Policy: You may cancel for a full refund up to 5 days prior to the start of the class. Cancellations requested after this period will be ineligible for refunds.
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