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Filmmaking

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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.

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.

Surveillance: What is It, How to Write It

Recorded

April 15, 2026

Duration

2 Hours

Cost

$35

Subjects

Publishing, Screenwriting

Topic

Craft

This symposium explores the reality of physical and technical surveillance so authors can write more compelling mysteries and thrillers. Additionally, as an indirect benefit, attendees will also learn how they can better protect themselves against cyber criminals and identity theft, and ensure safety and security for all the tech in our daily lives.

Adam Sikes is a former paramilitary officer with the CIA and an expert in physical and technical surveillance, and he will examine the following topics:

  • What is surveillance and what is the point
  • The different kinds of surveillance
  • Surveillance methods and techniques
  • What makes us vulnerable
  • How to protect against surveillance
  • Q&A

At the conclusion of this class, attendees will have a deeper understanding of how to follow someone, detect if someone is following them, monitor phone and social media activity, the vulnerabilities of location sharing and GPS, password and identity security, commercially available technical and surveillance tools, and a host of skills and methods. These insights will make your writing more compelling and authentic to readers, helping hold them to the page.

What attendees have said ...

"Truly could have talked about all of this for hours."

"Adam's presentation was amazing! It's invaluable to get insights from an actual former spy!"

"Far exceeded my expectations, not only for authenticity in my writing, but also for protecting myself from cybercrime."

Host

Adam Sikes
Adam Sikes is a former paramilitary officer with the CIA and a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran. He has operated around the world, and his experiences now inform his writing. His first novel, Landslide, was a finalist for the National Indie Excellence Awards, and his latest novel, The Underhanded, was a finalist for the American Fiction Awards. Adam holds […]

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Upcoming Events

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.

The Anatomy of Representation: Everything You Need to Know

June 3, 2026
In this symposium, we will explore the representation landscape, determine what type of representation is right for you, and identify the requirements and all-important next steps you should take to build a lasting career-spanning relationship with the right rep that will help make the difference in your career. 

Latest Streaming

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.

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.

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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