Summertime Action/Adventure Fellowship

18 Jul 2023, posted by Brad Miller

The deadline for this Fellowship has ended and scholarships have been awarded. Please do not apply. Inquiries about future Fellowship parameters and dates may be sent to support@writersbootcamp.com.

Summertime Action/Adventure Fellowship

Free to Apply by Tuesday, August 1st, 5pm (PST)

Three $2500 Writers Boot Camp Scholarships

Apply via this web page by answering the questions below;

Candidates to be selected based on inspiration and project potential.

Writers Boot Camp continues our support of fresh voices this month by providing three $2500 full scholarships to writers in the Tuesday, August 15th Basic Training. Candidates must be available to write 10 hours per week for 10 weeks during the Basic Training process that has supported more than 12,000 writers and filmmakers over the past 34 years.

This month’s theme of “Action/Adventure” focuses on a classic genre that is very difficult to do in a unique way and often comes across so deceptively seamless. From a feature film perspective, this is one of the key genres that studios make due to high-level presentation and visual effects. This tent-pole category often extends to include fantasy adventure, though the fellowship this month is NOT emphasizing intergalactic, sci-fi, outer space, or dystopic stories too far into the future. While admirable, AVATAR and ARMAGEDDON would not be eligible. We are looking for material that is more strictly action-driven and with a basis in reality, as well as grounded in character.

Top Action/Adventure feature films have offered a wide range of situations and commentary. The array of possibilities could include INDIANA JONES, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, DIEHARD, SPEED, BULLETT, THELMA & LOUISE and INGLOURIUS BASTERDS. A classic like SEVEN SAMURAI or its update THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN are fine examples, buddy pictures LETHAL WEAPON and MIDNIGHT RUN, an indie that became a franchise like the low-budget FIRST BLOOD, and a bank heist show like THE ITALIAN JOB. Many family-driven movies, from SPY KIDS to THE INCREDIBLES, elevate through fun action and facets of action such as HOOK, THE GOONIES–even THE WIZARD OF OZ.

Even international programmers taking off on the format of TAKEN, which might have inspired other formula stories as Denzel’s EQUALIZER, Chris Hemsworth’s EXTRACTION, Bob Odenkirk’s NOBODY and most recently, Michael B. Jordan’s WITHOUT REMORSE are ideal for this category.

You’ll notice that we did not mention the superhero form for this category.

New writers can make a splash around town with a crisp action script replete with a gripping cast of characters. It’s important not to underestimate that the bar for the Action/Adventure genre continues to be high and, in any genre, a script that hits the tropes while offering a fresh take and layer of entertainment can break through the parade of “softer”, personal material.

TV pilots are welcome for this Fellowship category. Budgets may limit effects and pyrotechnics. Alias is a great example from years past of contrast between a character’s personal life and their secret mission, along with focused locales and action balanced with intrigue, thus balancing budget. The Last of Us is among the top new shows, though Pedro Pascal’s other smash and JG’s recent favorite The Mandalorian, would NOT be eligible. Amazon Prime’s new Citadel seems to get the balance.

Though period, Game of Thrones excelled in this storytelling medium, curating a sense of purpose across seven storylines, paying off multiple episodes of character agenda with sudden stark action as in The Red Wedding or the epic battle against the White Walkers in episode 8 of season 5. In TV, you may have to interpret whether the action is more kinetic or justified as action via the degree of suspense cultivated. In TV, the spy thriller will qualify due to the air of intrigue indicating an atmosphere of action.

Your inspiration can perhaps be the next great adventure for audiences to experience! The creative parameters of stories and genres for this Fellowship theme–whether TV series ideas, feature film scripts, theatrical material or books/novels–are relatively wide open in this realm.

Pertinent professional experience combined with cogent answers will complement the project idea to determine the three winners.

Winners will be invited to join a roster of other writers working on projects of their own choosing of a variety of genres and creative parameters. Genre traits will occasionally be addressed based on the individual writing challenges faced by each writer.

Eligibility Notes

Writers Boot Camp alumni who have applied to a prior fellowship within the past six months–or who have won before–may apply for fun yet are not eligible to win.

Winners must confirm their availability to participate in Basic Training, along with 10 hours per week for creative exercises and writing for 10 weeks.

Only winners will be notified individually. All non-winners will be notified by email no later than August 5th.

Writers Boot Camp has a remarkable track record in support of diverse voices, including women. In our 34-year history, a higher percentage of our alumni successes and credits have been by women.

Again, alumni who have applied in the past six months–or who have won a fellowship in the past–are not eligible to win. Still, you may apply for fun and as a creative exercise.

Please don’t wait until the last minute to apply!

While the application is straightforward, we encourage you not to wait until the last minute. Please keep all answers to a single sentence and consider the distinctions you can make to stand out from the crowd.

For more info about Writers Boot Camp you can call 310/998-1199, check out writersbootcamp.com, or email jg@writersbootcamp.com

We always love to hear from alumni with news and success stories.

Name:

Mailing Address:

City, State & Zip Code:

Phone Number:

Email Address:

How You Heard About Writers Boot Camp (if through a person, include their name):

Name of Reference & Professional Relationship to You:

Reference Contact (Phone & Email):

Your Occupation or Job Title:

Your Entertainment Industry Background and Experience:

Prior Writing and Filmmaking Experience:

Are you currently working--and can you comment on your employment situation?

What genres and formats of storytelling are your preference? Please explain briefly as necessary.

Please answer these four topical questions in order in only one sentence each within one paragraph--and without including the questions: What is your personal view of tent-pole movies and how has seen an action picture impacted your view of entertainment? Share with us an extraordinary experience that inspired you about ideas within the realm of entertainment, whether in movies, TV, books, plays, etc. What is your understanding of how genre storytelling activates an audience's interest and engagement? Again, in only one sentence within this four-sentence paragraph, please express a personal idea, insight or realization about a facet of entertainment or a prior published or produced work that can benefit from an update or revision.

If you win a Writers Boot Camp scholarship, please state the title and format of the project you will that focuses your Main Character and subject on the fellowship category, and share the premise in a single sentence only. A Premise Line is more than a logline or set-up and may include up to 50 words, focusing mostly on the middle of the story, as opposed to the set-up, and shows what characters actually do together along the 2nd-Act Adventure. If your project is for television, then the A-Story of the first episode will be more relevant than a general series description.

Please include above: Title, Format (Movie, TV Pilot, Book, etc.), and Premise Line (One Sentence Only).

For the purposes of announcing winners, please provide a single-sentence bio about yourself written in third person, including your full name, where you're from, where you live, your educational accomplishments, your professional background and entertainment industry goals.

My name below certifies that all my answers on the above application are true. I understand that my email submission will be kept confidential and not shared with anyone outside Writers Boot Camp's staff without my permission. I understand that if I win an award, it is not transferable and if I cannot fully utilize it, then it will be offered to the the next eligible writer. I understand that the award is support through the $2500 10-Week Basic Training and is not a cash award. If I accept the award and do not participate, I understand that in effect I will have kept another deserving writer from participating and receiving support. I have read about Writers Boot Camp and the professional approach and distinctions that have made the company and its alumni successful. I understand that due to the short timeframe until the fellowship process that only the winners and possibly a few finalists to verify availability will be notified of their standing by telephone. All applicants will be notified by email with the results and guidelines for additional benefits, if applicable. My name below acknowledges Writers Boot Camp’s pledge of confidentiality regarding my application, answers and project details. I understand that all internal staff discussion of my project idea is in the interest of determining winners. I understand that I am sharing my ideas and answers to be eligible for a fellowship award and that submission of this application does not guarantee me receipt of conceptual notes or story services. I understand that I can protect my material by registering and/or copyrighting my written materials prior to submitting them. I give permission to Writers Boot Camp to verify my information and answers with the above reference and understand that this verification, if necessary, is only for the finalists and primarily to determine award eligibility.