Publishing

Tune into live conversations with authors, editors, and literary agents sharing their journeys and expertise in the world of publishing.

Screenwriting

Watch live panels featuring screenwriters as they break down their techniques for crafting compelling scripts and navigating the entertainment industry.

Filmmaking

Discover live streaming events where directors, producers, and cinematographers discuss the creative and technical processes behind their films.

Deconstructing Books for Craft and Marketability: Read Like a Writer

April 22, 2026
Learn how to turn every book you read into a craft lesson. We’ll analyze openings, character construction, themes, and endings to uncover the mechanics beneath the magic. Instead of guessing what works, you’ll learn directly from stories that have already earned their place on the shelf: how authors hook readers, build momentum, and deliver satisfying endings that helped them secure publication in the first place.

Book Pipeline

Book Pipeline connects writers to publishers, agents, and the film industry through competitions and workshops, providing hands-on support to bridge the gap between emerging authors and the industry since 2014.

Script Pipeline

Script Pipeline connects writers with producers, agents, and managers, facilitating over $8 million in sales through competitions and ongoing industry support, helping launch major films and secure high-profile representation since 1999.

Film Pipeline

Film Pipeline connects filmmakers and writers with agencies and executives, focusing on diverse storytelling and playing an active role in developing and promoting projects, reviewing thousands of submissions annually since its launch in 2018.

Crowdfunding the Dream: How to Run a Successful Campaign

Recorded

February 7, 2023

Duration

2 Hours

Cost

$35

Subjects

Filmmaking, Publishing, Screenwriting

Topic

Business

Crowdfunding provides a unique opportunity to bring your film to life. But the market is saturated, and it requires careful planning to connect with your audience. On Kickstarter alone, there have been over 80,000 film projects. The success rate of these projects is under 40%. So—how do you execute a successful campaign?  

Shawn Hainsworth has run three successful campaigns in the past year, and through these experiences has learned what to expect, what works, and what doesn’t. Shawn will walk you through the process, providing real-world advice to help manage a successful campaign. The primary focus will be on project-based campaigns, Kickstarter and Indiegogo, but he will also touch on creator-based campaigns such as Patreon. 

The presentation will cover:

  • Setting realistic expectations
  • Creating a good story
  • Creating and fulfilling rewards
  • Building an audience for your work
  • Managing the full lifecycle of a campaign

By the end of this presentation, you should feel confident knowing if a crowdfunding campaign is right for your project, and if so, how to run one successfully from start to finish.

Host

Shawn Hainsworth
Between 1992 and 2004, Shawn Hainsworth made five feature-length documentaries, as well numerous shorts and experimental films, which screened at film festivals around the world. He makes a living as a computer programmer working most recently in the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence. However, he has a passion for storytelling and wrote numerous […]

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Upcoming Events

Deconstructing Books for Craft and Marketability: Read Like a Writer

April 22, 2026
Learn how to turn every book you read into a craft lesson. We’ll analyze openings, character construction, themes, and endings to uncover the mechanics beneath the magic. Instead of guessing what works, you’ll learn directly from stories that have already earned their place on the shelf: how authors hook readers, build momentum, and deliver satisfying endings that helped them secure publication in the first place.

Building a Powerful Query Letter

April 30, 2026
In this practical session, author Angela Douglas will show you how to take the key elements of a strong pitch: your logline, comparable titles and bio and turn them into a clear, engaging query letter that stands out in a crowded inbox.

The Said and the Unsaid: Writing Your Characters Through Dialogue

May 13, 2026
Lauren Nossett explores how great dialogue reveals motive, deepens relationships, and drives plot. You’ll study memorable exchanges, analyze what makes iconic lines unforgettable, and learn how to translate body language and subtext into compelling prose.

Latest Streaming

Surveillance: What is It, How to Write It

April 15, 2026
You’re writing a mystery or maybe a thriller, and your protagonist needs to surveil a suspected villain to confirm if they really are as bad as alleged. Or, perhaps your character is the one being hunted, his or her every move watched, tracked, and listened to. This is surveillance. If you want to learn about the reality of surveillance so you can write more compelling fiction, tune in to this event to hear from Adam Sikes, a former CIA Officer and expert in physical and technical surveillance.

Proven Framework for Successful Collaboration

March 25, 2026
In this candid, craft-focused session, authors Lauren Nossett and Rea Frey share what they have learned from co-writing together, from early brainstorming sessions to managing deadlines and dividing responsibilities. Attendees will walk away with a practical, step-by-step framework for successful collaboration.

Better Your Chances of Getting an Agent, Manager or Mentor

March 18, 2026
We all know the struggle. It feels harder than ever before to find an agent, or even a mentor to help with a little advice or guidance. This session will give you that insight and those tools. It'll be equal parts irreverent, fun, and really useful. Packed with practical things you can do to differentiate yourself from the masses, and make yourself more of an undeniable catch.

Symposium, presented by Pipeline Artists, is a year-round virtual conference empowering creatives with honest, no-nonsense guidance across the arts. Through seminars, industry panels, and Town Hall discussions on screenwriting, filmmaking, publishing, and career-building, Symposium offers grounded advice from working professionals to help you forge your own unique path.

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