Step 3: Portfolio Polishing - October 2021

Career Writer Program
Portfolio Polishing Graphic
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

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$399.00
Select Deposit Option

You will be sent an invoice for the remainder of your balance to the email address you use to pay the deposit. Balances must be paid in full prior to the end of the class unless prior arrangements are made. Failure to pay invoices in a timely manner will result in the forfeiture of your spot and you will not be permitted to complete the program. Questions? Email info@roadmapwriters.com.

Portfolio Polishing is Step 3 of the Career Writer Program. Writers must complete Step 1: Pitch Prep Program and Step 2: Marketing Intensive prior to diving in and must complete Steps 1-4 to be considered for our Top Tier Program.

STEP 3: PORTFOLIO POLISHING

Hone your pages, craft and perfect your elevator pitch, and get prepared to kill it in longer-form meetings!

What they say is true: you only get one chance at a first impression. Whether that's with your pages, with a quick elevator pitch, or how you handle yourself during a general meeting, writers need to make sure these skills are sharp and ready to go.

Train with the Roadmap Team and working industry executives to put the finishing touches on your portfolio, pitching, and meeting skills so you make an excellent first impression when it comes time to market!

Walk away with:

  • an effective 3-minute elevator pitch 
  • a polished, market-ready sample screenplay
  • the skills and confidence to kill any general meeting!

THIS MONTH YOU WILL...

Learn a formula to structure your elevator pitch.
Polish your sample until it shines. 
Practice with professionals who can help you identify where your pitch and sample are weakest—and strongest. 
And gain confidence for building your career!

Orientation & Elevator Pitch Prep

Date / Time
-
Summary

We will go over the format and best practices for the program, including what to expect from each session. Alex will then cover 3-minute elevator pitches: when to use them, how to structure them, etc. You will also get a chance to practice your elevator pitch with Alex.

Host:
Alexandra Davies - Director of Education, Roadmap Writers

Alexandra holds a degree in English Literature from UCLA, which she earned while pursuing acting. As an actress for many years, she learned the ins and outs of character, story and entertainment first hand, both on stage and in front of the camera. As the Director of Education at Roadmap, Alex strives to identify the most common hurdles writers face in developing their work and design classes, clinics, and webinars to address these issues. In addition, Alex is a writer with several scripts, a novel, a short film (produced during the AT&T Shape Create-A-Thon), and a webseries (coming soon!) under her belt. Prior to Roadmap, Alex worked in live events, law, and education.

Rewrite Clinic #1

Date / Time
-
Summary

The exec will read your full script and give you feedback on what's working and what can be improved. Then, you'll revise your script and submit it again for a second set of notes with the same exec. 

Host:
Sarah Aldrich - Development Executive, Futurific Studios

Sarah Aldrich is an executive with almost a decade of experience, focused on creative development in scripted television and features. She is a conceptual and creative thinker with a passion for storytelling who excels at story development. Sarah champions predominantly diverse, female forward and comedic stories. She currently oversees development across film, tv, unscripted and graphic novels at Futurific Studios.

Elevator Pitch Practice Clinic

Date / Time
Summary

We will practice everyone's elevator pitch. 

Host:
Alexandra Davies - Director of Education, Roadmap Writers

Alexandra holds a degree in English Literature from UCLA, which she earned while pursuing acting. As an actress for many years, she learned the ins and outs of character, story and entertainment first hand, both on stage and in front of the camera. As the Director of Education at Roadmap, Alex strives to identify the most common hurdles writers face in developing their work and design classes, clinics, and webinars to address these issues. In addition, Alex is a writer with several scripts, a novel, a short film (produced during the AT&T Shape Create-A-Thon), and a webseries (coming soon!) under her belt. Prior to Roadmap, Alex worked in live events, law, and education.

Rewrite Clinic #1

Date / Time
-
Summary

The exec will read your full script and give you feedback on what's working and what can be improved. Then, you'll revise your script and submit it again for a second set of notes with the same exec. 

Host:
Daniel Clark - Literary Manager, Anthem Entertainment
A graduate of Belmont University with a degree in Theatre, Daniel James Clark is currently a Literary Manager at Anthem Entertainment. Daniel worked for the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Theater Institute before receiving his MFA from Cal State Fullerton. He began his career as a Literary Manager at the iTalent Agency before taking a position at Water Street/Anthem Entertainment where he assisted Michael Bircumshaw (TOMBSTONE, DAYS OF THUNDER) and Cynthia Campos-Greenberg. Shortly after, Daniel started the Literary Department of Water Street/Anthem Entertainment.

Rewrite Clinic #1

Date / Time
-
Summary

The exec will read your full script and give you feedback on what's working and what can be improved. Then, you'll revise your script and submit it again for a second set of notes with the same exec. 

Host:
Mansi Desai - Coordinator, Cold Iron Pictures

Mansi worked in Mumbai as an assistant director on Bollywood films such as Prem Ratan Than Payo and Indu Sarkar and as a Producer's Assistant in Dubai before moving to Los Angeles. She assisted in putting together BloodListX in 2018 and now is a Coordinator at Cold Iron Pictures.

Cold Iron Pictures is a production/financing company based in Los Angeles. The company produced SWISS ARMY MAN (starring Daniel Radcliffe and Paul Dano) directed by Daniels as well as Marielle Heller’s directorial debut THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL (starring Bel Powley, Kristen Wiig, and Alexander Skarsgård) both of which premiered at Sundance. Previous Cold Iron releases include Joseph Cedar’s political drama NORMAN starring Richard Gere which was released by Sony Pictures Classic; Mike Birbiglia’s DON’T THINK TWICE; and Lake Bell’s second film I DO…UNTIL I DON’T. Most recently, Cold Iron Pictures produced the 2018 SXSW selection BEING FRANK directed by Miranda Bailey and set to be released in 2019.They also produced the 2019 Sundance hit UNTITLED AMAZING JOHNATHAN DOCUMENTARY which premiered in the US Documentary Competition section and is available on Hulu. They are currently in production on the Thandie Newton starring thriller GOD’S Country.

Elevator Pitch Roundtable #1

Date / Time
-
Summary

You'll take turns delivering your elevator pitch in a Roundtable setting and receive feedback from the exec on strengths and areas of improvement specific to your elevator pitch. Then, you'll get a chance to do your pitch a second time and incorporate the exec's notes. Learn from notes on your own pitch and from notes given to your peers!

Host:
Mark Saffian - Manager / Co-Founder, Content House

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 (GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE; AN AMERICAN PICKLE) and Sid Ganis/Out of the Blue Entertainment where he was a story editor on BIG DADDY and DEUCE BIGELOW: MALE GIGOLO.

Elevator Pitch Roundtable #1

Date / Time
-
Summary

You'll take turns delivering your elevator pitch in a Roundtable setting and receive feedback from the exec on strengths and areas of improvement specific to your elevator pitch. Then, you'll get a chance to do your pitch a second time and incorporate the exec's notes. Learn from notes on your own pitch and from notes given to your peers!

Host:
Mark Saffian - Manager / Co-Founder, Content House

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 (GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE; AN AMERICAN PICKLE) and Sid Ganis/Out of the Blue Entertainment where he was a story editor on BIG DADDY and DEUCE BIGELOW: MALE GIGOLO.

30-Minute General Meetings

Date / Time
Summary

Each writer will take the skills they learned so far and apply them to a full private 30-Minute Mock General Meeting with a working industry executive who takes meetings with writers for a living. Can you own the room? You only need to be available for your 30 minutes as these are private meetings and each writer will receive written feedback from the executive on that general meeting.

Host:
Tiegen Kosiak - Producer / Consultant, self / independent
Tiegen Kosiak is a producer, instructor, executive, and consultant based in Los Angeles, CA. She began her entertainment career working in literary management at Untitled Entertainment, and later went on to run development for Zoe Saldana's Cinestar Pictures. Tiegen then built out celebrity twin Tia Mowry's production company and co-produced the holiday feature FIRST CHRISTMAS with OWN and Marvista. In 2018, she formed Dark Matter Entertainment to develop and produce scripted content for all platforms, particularly elevated horror, thriller, and dark comedy. Tiegen recently moved into the immersive entertainment space where she works with licensed content, original experiences, and music / TV / film IP.

30-Minute General Meetings

Date / Time
Summary

Each writer will take the skills they learned so far and apply them to a full private 30-Minute Mock General Meeting with a working industry executive who takes meetings with writers for a living. Can you own the room? You only need to be available for your 30 minutes as these are private meetings and each writer will receive written feedback from the executive on that general meeting.

30-Minute General Meetings

Date / Time
Summary

Each writer will take the skills they learned so far and apply them to a full private 30-Minute Mock General Meeting with a working industry executive who takes meetings with writers for a living. Can you own the room? You only need to be available for your 30 minutes as these are private meetings and each writer will receive written feedback from the executive on that general meeting.

Host:
Danny Alexander - TV Agent, IAG (APA)

Danny Alexander is an Agent in the Literary department at IAG (formerly APA), one of the largest diversified talent agencies in the industry with offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, Atlanta, New York, Toronto and London.  A market leader, IAG’s Television Literary department represents the creative and business interests of award-winning showrunners, writers, directors, and intellectual properties across all media platforms.

Following his graduation from Indiana University in 2012 where he majored in Political Science and Economics, Alexander joined IGA’s mailroom in 2013 before working as an assistant and then coordinator in the Television Literary department, prior to his promotion to Agent in 2018.  With a primary focus on staffing writer clients on series and helping guide their respective development projects to fruition, Alexander also works across the agency’s Talent, Alternative & Factual Programming, and Physical Production departments in securing intellectual properties, development and acquisition. 

Rewrite Clinic #2

Date / Time
-
Summary

The exec will read your full script and give you feedback on what's working and what can be improved. Then, you'll revise your script and submit it again for a second set of notes with the same exec. 

Host:
Sarah Aldrich - Development Executive, Futurific Studios

Sarah Aldrich is an executive with almost a decade of experience, focused on creative development in scripted television and features. She is a conceptual and creative thinker with a passion for storytelling who excels at story development. Sarah champions predominantly diverse, female forward and comedic stories. She currently oversees development across film, tv, unscripted and graphic novels at Futurific Studios.

The Name of the Game: Trade Talk

Date / Time
-
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

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. He is a member of the Organization of Black Screenwriters and was recently accepted into the Independent Writers Caucus.  He recently celebrated his first script sale of 2024, and his production company, Hammerjaxx Films, has previously sponsored one of the prizes in our Diversity Initiative. Ever creating, James launched Dark Anthem Press, a division of One Moorer last fall for book-to-screen projects. 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.

Rewrite Clinic #2

Date / Time
-
Summary

The exec will read your full script and give you feedback on what's working and what can be improved. Then, you'll revise your script and submit it again for a second set of notes with the same exec. 

Host:
Daniel Clark - Literary Manager, Anthem Entertainment
A graduate of Belmont University with a degree in Theatre, Daniel James Clark is currently a Literary Manager at Anthem Entertainment. Daniel worked for the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center's National Theater Institute before receiving his MFA from Cal State Fullerton. He began his career as a Literary Manager at the iTalent Agency before taking a position at Water Street/Anthem Entertainment where he assisted Michael Bircumshaw (TOMBSTONE, DAYS OF THUNDER) and Cynthia Campos-Greenberg. Shortly after, Daniel started the Literary Department of Water Street/Anthem Entertainment.

Rewrite Clinic #2

Date / Time
-
Summary

The exec will read your full script and give you feedback on what's working and what can be improved. Then, you'll revise your script and submit it again for a second set of notes with the same exec. 

Host:
Mansi Desai - Coordinator, Cold Iron Pictures

Mansi worked in Mumbai as an assistant director on Bollywood films such as Prem Ratan Than Payo and Indu Sarkar and as a Producer's Assistant in Dubai before moving to Los Angeles. She assisted in putting together BloodListX in 2018 and now is a Coordinator at Cold Iron Pictures.

Cold Iron Pictures is a production/financing company based in Los Angeles. The company produced SWISS ARMY MAN (starring Daniel Radcliffe and Paul Dano) directed by Daniels as well as Marielle Heller’s directorial debut THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL (starring Bel Powley, Kristen Wiig, and Alexander Skarsgård) both of which premiered at Sundance. Previous Cold Iron releases include Joseph Cedar’s political drama NORMAN starring Richard Gere which was released by Sony Pictures Classic; Mike Birbiglia’s DON’T THINK TWICE; and Lake Bell’s second film I DO…UNTIL I DON’T. Most recently, Cold Iron Pictures produced the 2018 SXSW selection BEING FRANK directed by Miranda Bailey and set to be released in 2019.They also produced the 2019 Sundance hit UNTITLED AMAZING JOHNATHAN DOCUMENTARY which premiered in the US Documentary Competition section and is available on Hulu. They are currently in production on the Thandie Newton starring thriller GOD’S Country.

Elevator Pitch Roundtable #2

Date / Time
-
Summary

You'll take turns delivering your elevator pitch in a Roundtable setting and receive feedback from the exec on strengths and areas of improvement specific to your elevator pitch. Then, you'll get a chance to do your pitch a second time and incorporate the exec's notes. Learn from notes on your own pitch and from notes given to your peers!

Host:
Val McLeroy - Manager / Producer, Epigram

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.

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.

The Roadmap Promise

Roadmap Writers prides itself on the quality of executives we bring to our programs and we work hard to get you the best feedback possible.

Our vetted executives are chosen by the legitimacy of the companies they work for and their ability to evaluate pitches and pages.

Only the executives you sign up for will be provided with your materials.

Questions? Schedule a Free Informational Call