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How a Book Becomes a Movie: What Authors and Screenwriters Need to Know

October 28, 2026
The filmmaking business is complex and baffles many—even those working in it. The reality is, there is no single way to get a film made. But there’s no question that Hollywood loves adapting intellectual property. The more authors and screenwriters understand the different adaptation paths, the better their odds of success.

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.

Mistakes Comedy Writers Make and How to Fix Them

Held

August 19, 2026

Duration

2 Hours

Cost

$35

Subject

Screenwriting

Topic

Craft

Comedy writers make a lot of mistakes. Like, they start writing before their lives are messed up just enough to begin. Or not using comedy writing for what it’s really intended—revenge. Or … heaven forbid, they start dating comedians.

This isn’t about that. We can talk about that over beer afterwards.

This session’s about the craft. The biggest mistakes in comedy scripts and how YOU can avoid them. For new and seasoned writers.

Some of the mistakes we’ll talk about…

1. Underdeveloped storyworld: Weak storyworld = weak jokes. We’ll learn to build a solid world that’ll cradle your characters, theme, and storylines.

2. Not character-led: Ignore your characters at your peril. We’ll go through the evil ways you can squeeze out all the juicy goodness and belly laughs from them.

3. They stop before it gets funny—Ouch. Yeah, this one hurts. But it’s true. We'll help you make your scripts one-jillion* percent funnier.

Want to know more? And hear the rest of the list? Come to the session.

You'll be able to avoid the mistakes that drive competition readers, development producers, script editors, and directors batshit crazy. And you'll make your writing a lot stronger. 

*One jillion is not a guarantee. 

What attendees have said ...

"Amanda is a wonderful teacher of the craft. Her examples are illuminating, and the structure of her talk was easy to follow. I've taken a lot of these kinds of seminars, including through Sundance, and this is by far the most informative one."

"Great practical advice and I loved the use of clips to illustrate her points."

"Loved it! Actionable, plenty of examples, and well delivered."

Host

Amanda Graham
Amanda Graham has written 23 eps of BBC tv and edited scripts and ghostwritten pitch decks for 92 film and tv development projects including for the BBC and Channel 4 and the Zero Gravity Group. She has two of her own projects with Olivia Colman and Ed Sinclair's indie South of the River, one with Colman and Tristram Shapeero […]

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Upcoming Events

How a Book Becomes a Movie: What Authors and Screenwriters Need to Know

October 28, 2026
The filmmaking business is complex and baffles many—even those working in it. The reality is, there is no single way to get a film made. But there’s no question that Hollywood loves adapting intellectual property. The more authors and screenwriters understand the different adaptation paths, the better their odds of success.

The Power of Short Story IP—From Concept to Execution

November 10, 2026
Short stories are emerging as essential IP for an intro to the studio system, and some of our most iconic films began with only a handful of pages. Using short fiction references from Stephen King and more, this course explores how writers can recognize the cinematic engine (and core dilemma) inside a short story and to brainstorm or refine an idea of their own. 

Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting for Writers

November 18, 2026
Hosted by goal strategist, author, and The Book Proposal Expert Debra Eckerling, this session will introduce you to The DEB Method®, her system for goal-setting simplified. DEB stands for Determine Your Mission, Explore Your Options, and Brainstorm Your Path. Writers will define their goals, prioritize projects, and create a plan to turn their vision into reality.

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A Book Proposal Coach’s Secrets to Selling Your Book—Non-Fiction or Fiction

October 21, 2026
Even your fiction book can benefit from examining it like a business person. Because that's what editors and publishers do. Your proposal, which outlines your project for a publisher, has to be so good that editors fall in love with it and believe that readers will, too. In fact, writing a proposal will set you up for success even if you plan to self-publish. The problem? Most writers have no idea how to create a winning proposal. They simply don’t think like business people which is exactly what's needed. And this is a problem for authors. But Amy B. Scher is going to change that.

Stop Waiting for Permission. Write and Produce your Proof-of-Concept Short!

October 14, 2026
Award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, Merridith Allen, guides you step-by-step through making a proof-of-concept short film that will get you noticed ... and expand your options for either financing or representation.

I Finished My Script—Now What?

October 7, 2026
Timothy Michael Cooper shares the insights earned during his decades-long career, teaching you how to interpret and incorporate feedback, find the true heart of the story, focus your rewrites,cut away characters and scenes that aren’t pulling their weight, and build strategic relationships to get your script into the right hands.

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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