All options include 7 days / 6 nights:
accommodations at our private beachside villa
opening and closing cocktail parties
sunset cruise on private catamaran
daily continental breakfast & lunch
one-on-one meeting with one of our resident industry execs
one-on-one meetings with Joey & Dorian
all group retreat sessions
Not included: dinners, drinks, recreational activities, ground transportation, or airfare.
SOLD OUT!
Want more options? Check out Week #2 (5/15-5/21/24)
Do you dream of focused writing time surrounded by fellow dedicated writers, tropical waters, and industry pros?
Join the RoadCrew from Tues. May 7 – Mon. May 13, 2024, for 7 Days / 6 Nights in paradise at our private villa on the beach in beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!
We LOVED our 2022 retreat in Puerto Vallarta and can't wait to do it again! Be one of the few to join us on our first repeat screenwriter retreat!
featuring... story development with
Executive Vice President at Bohemia Group Originals - Justin Ross, or
Head of Development at Mandy Moore’s production company, Roll With The Punches - Averie Joy Maikalima O Makua Huffine
AND
branding & marketing prep with Roadmap CEO Joey Tuccio,
logline prep with Roadmap COO Dorian Connelley,
and mindfulness for creatives with filmmaker Melody Herr
Who should attend?
Screenwriters who are ready to put in some serious writing time while also enjoying one of the world’s most popular destinations.
What to Expect
After getting settled in your well-appointed room, join our industry exec(s), the RoadCrew, and your fellow writers at the Welcome Cocktail Party—then get ready to dive into a career-changing week!
Each day will consist of delicious local meals, quiet writing time, valuable breakout sessions with our team, table reads, and networking/bonding time with your fellow retreaters. After a morning of stretching your writing muscles, refresh with a dip in our private pool or the tropical waters at the nearby beach.
There will also be several opportunities to recharge and get inspired by joining us on the included sunset cruise or organizing your own excursion such as ziplining in the jungle, horseback riding to a waterfall for a picnic lunch, or snorkeling the azure waters. We also plan to have a spa day where full-body massages will be available at the villa (for an added fee).
Room Options
ALL room options include:
- Cable TV
- A/C
- WiFi
- full bathroom
- mini-fridge
- daily room service
**NOTE: As there is no elevator, we have included which floor the room you are booking is on so you can choose based on your level of mobility. If possible, please leave 1st Floor rooms for those with mobility issues.
PRIVATE ROOMS:
Studio (1 King Bed) – $4,999 [SOLD OUT!]
Suite (1 King Bed) w/ Lounge + Private Balcony – $5,999 [SOLD OUT!]
VIP Penthouse (1 King Bed) w/ Lounge, Kitchen, & Open Terrace – $6,999 [SOLD OUT!]
**Want to bring a non-writer guest? Add $1,000 for double occupancy in a Private Room.
SHARED ROOMS:
Studio (2 Double Beds) – $2,999 [SOLD OUT!]
Suite (2 Double Beds) w/ Lounge + Private Balcony – $3,499 [SOLD OUT!]
Suite (1 Queen + 1 Twin) w/ Lounge + Private Patio – $3,999 Queen / $2,999 Twin [SOLD OUT!]
**Shared Rooms will be same-sex wherever possible; we'll ask before assigning roommates of opposite genders.
What Writers Are Saying...
“Way beyond expectations! And walked away with a meeting...mind-blowing. Beyond my expectations... and really fun.” – Puerto Vallarta 2022 Participant
"I appreciate all the effort given to the retreat. It was a smashing success because you managed to have all of the attendees bonding with each other. Bravo!” – Puerto Vallarta 2022 Participant
“Everyone was so helpful and engaged!” – Puerto Vallarta 2022 Participant
“I liked that [the exec] sat down with a group and fielded our questions; not only did I get my questions answered, but I learned a lot when [they] answered other people's questions. It was a much more personal and direct approach that I found useful.” – Puerto Vallarta 2022 Participant
“It was an amazing time and so worth it!” – Puerto Vallarta 2022 Participant
“Meetings [were] all actionable and direct. Dorian drafted me new log lines on two separate scripts (I have worked on those for so long and Dorian just knocked them out)… And who doesn't love Joey!” – Puerto Vallarta 2022 Participant
“Thank you for all of your time, energy, and hard work! Roadmap is a class Act!” – Puerto Vallarta 2022 Participant
"OMG! Amazing. Everyone I met with was through my experiences with Roadmap. And each person was generous, courteous, supportive, and helpful. I feel like I am making friends in Los Angeles and moving toward the next steps.” – Big Bear 2022 Participant
“Thank you so much, Roadmap, for being an invaluable tool for making contacts in the business. The meetings with the execs during the Retreat was a stepping stone for chatting with execs on the general meetings field trip.” – Big Bear 2022 Participant
“I've said it before and I'll say it again—Roadmap is the best!!!!!” – Big Bear 2022 Participant
COVID Protocols
Vaccines: All participants must show proof of full vaccination (including applicable boosters) against COVID-19.
COVID Tests: Proof of a negative COVID test is required no more than 24 hours prior to arrival. You will also need to bring another rapid COVID test to take upon arrival or throughout the retreat as needed.
*If you opt for the 25% deposit option, the balance will be due by 12/31/2023. If you need a special payment plan, contact dorian@roadmapwriters.com.
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.
Justin Ross began his film career as a screenwriter. Mr. Ross’ script, THE ANSWER, was made into a short by Nebula Films in 2007.
In 2008, he joined Intrinsic Value Films as a Creative Executive. During his tenure at Intrinsic, he secured relationships with top talent, including Scott Free Productions and the estates of two of his favorite authors Ray Bradbury and Philip K. Dick. Mr. Ross joined Bohemia Group Originals as Director of Production in 2015 and was promoted to Executive Vice President of Development and Production in 2016 where he championed the company’s first feature, A DARK PLACE (distributed by Gravitas Ventures); winner of “Best Thriller” at the Manhattan Film Festival. Further credits include Associate Producer on the Spike Lee Executive Produced SON OF THE SOUTH. Upcoming projects include PREY with Oscar winner Sir Ben Kingsley and GLASS MOUNTAIN with Oscar winner Helen Hunt.
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. Experiencing how hard it was for writers to receive real tangible advice on how to break into the industry, Joey and Dorian created Roadmap Writers over 7 years ago. At Roadmap, Joey focuses on connecting vetted writers with execs in the industry. He has helped hundreds of writers connect to their representation, get staffed and get produced. He also mentors for Cinestory and The Writers Lab. When he's not helping writers, he spends his time rescuing animals in need.
Dorian was fresh off working for producer Mark Ciardi (THE ROOKIE, MIRACLE, CHAPPAQUIDDICK) when she co-founded Roadmap Writers as its COO where she has been teaching writers how to pitch (whether they like it or not) ever since. With years of experience in talent management, live events, and feature film producing, Dorian is also a proud Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Guinea/Mali '08-'10). When she's not helping writers perfect their pitches, Dorian can be found at music festivals and karaoke bars.
Award-winning writer-director Melody Herr likens her life to Eminem’s biopic: “If you’ve seen 8 MILE, then you know my life—minus the rapping.” Growing up three blocks north of Detroit’s famous dividing line meant she had to be as industrious as the factory next door. Both hardworking and adventurous, she fled Detroit to spend years living and traveling around the world with her growing family. Now she escapes through her passion for telling universal, female-driven stories that connect on an emotional level. Melody infuses heart and levity into her work to balance the heavy themes she often explores. Melody’s hour-long drama/comedy TAPPED OUT is a quarterfinalist in the 2022 PAGE Awards. Her latest produced short X-ED OUT won Best Drama at the 2021 London Indie Short Film Festival, and also received awards from Toronto, Vancouver, and other festivals worldwide. Melody earned her MFA in Writing for Film and TV at Emerson College and recently produced the feature film DIFFRACTION on the campus of Marquette University, where she teaches screenwriting.
I registered for a four-week rewrite clinic with several friends hoping to find a solution to a problem we all shared in finding the right learning environment to workshop our material. When you teach creative writing to others, it’s challenging to find a group that allows you as a more experienced yet still evolving writer to get the same substantive feedback you provide your students. Furthermore, when you’re a creative from marginalized identities, you often get discouraging notes that imply you can either write commercial stories or stories that center your communities’ interests as if those two objectives are mutually exclusive. Justin Ross proved to be the perfect mentor for our group. He respected the stories each of us was trying to tell and provided specific notes and actionable exercises that gave us new ways into our revisions. There are few critique spaces where we feel we get the support we need, and having found Roadmap Writers and Justin Ross has gotten our creative year off to a wonderful start.
~ Sofia Quintero, Screenwriter
Pitch Prep with Dorian was challenging, clarifying, and motivating. You quickly learn how to talk about and market your writing, and you also build skills to vet future project ideas. I have not found this type of information in other programs. Highly recommended!
~ Amy Schleunes, Screenwriter
Spending any time with Joey is well worth it! He has the pulse of the industry and shares this vital information with all his writers. He is one of the most passionate advocates I've ever met and anyone is lucky to be in the same room as Joey Tuccio!
~ Gail Joy Stewart, Screenwriter
Justin is awesome. His notes are specific and valuable. He listens to the writer and wants to make sure that he understands what is trying to be accomplished with the script. I would highly recommend him for feedback.
~ Brenda Lynn Bynum, Screenwriter
Dorian's feedback is the best I've ever had—and that includes dozens of graduate courses! She is a genius at story crafting.
~ Traci Bliss, Screenwriter
Payment Plans
If you opt for the 50% deposit option, the balance will be due no later than 12/31/2023. For the 25% deposit option, the remaining 3 payments will be due 10/31, 12/15, & 1/30.
If you need a special payment plan, contact dorian@roadmapwriters.com with proposed date(s) and amount(s) and we'll work it out!
Cancellation Policy
You may cancel for a full refund until 12/31/2023. Cancellations requested after this date will be contingent on finding a replacement to take your spot.
Roadmap reserves the right to cancel this retreat and refund your registration fee up to 14 days prior to the start of the retreat.
You are responsible for booking your own flight in a timely manner. The inability to find an appropriate flight due to procrastination will not be grounds for a refund. You should strongly consider buying trip insurance in the unlikely case we are forced to cancel the retreat. Similarly, testing positive for COVID will not be grounds for a refund. You should plan to be extra careful about your activities in the two weeks prior to the retreat to reduce your chances of testing positive.