What is Writers Boot Camp?
Writers Boot Camp is a mentoring process for writers of all levels and for anyone who will be working with scripts or with writers. For 29 years, Writers Boot Camp has been mentoring writers for a transition to professional careers through live or One-on-One sessions. We offer memberships for writers with long-term goals of fully developing their potential and their film, TV or web projects to industry level, as well as quick first-draft sessions for writers and artists only focused on an initial stage of development and an early understanding of the writing process.
Is Writers Boot Camp only for professional writers or aspiring professionals, or can beginning or intermediate writers benefit too?
Writers Boot Camp supports writers though offering Tools of development and collaboration that are beneficial to all writers, from complete beginners of any age to working professionals. Whether you’re just starting your first draft of your first project, or trying to elevate the material you have to an even higher level of acceptance in the industry, working with us will help you become more effective, and more productive. It’s not a class, it’s an opportunity.
How do I know this will work?
In the 29 years we’ve been mentoring writers, our members have won four Academy Awards, and have won Emmys, Golden Globes, WGA awards – even the Tony! They’ve written screenplays that have brought in three-quarters of a billion dollars in box office, and have created or been staffed on 100 different TV shows. While there are no guarantees in the entertainment industry, writers with talent and determination who invest the time to achieve professional Tools can compete at the highest levels. And most of our new writers each year come for referrals from alumni or current writers.
Who are your mentors?
All our mentors are personally trained by WBC founder Jeffrey Gordon, the founder of the company, who created all the tools and materials. Their goal is to empower each writer with their own authority and help them articulate their fresh take on their project and story without imposing a formula. All our mentors are also Professional Membership alumni, and most are working writers, with material in the marketplace.
How much does it cost?
Your membership rate varies depending on many factors: what your goals are, how long you’re prepared to do the work necessary to achieve those goals, where you live, when you start, etc. We offer affordable payment plans ($150-$300 a month after a deposit) and some scholarships, and are always willing to work with someone who recognizes the value in investing in their education. And with the writing process still ahead of you, it’s best to start right away.
How do I start?
A simple interview process to determine your goals and your ability to dedicate 10 hours a week to achieve the writing process and complete the work can be scheduled today. Once we mutually determine that you’re ready, you start immediately, with assignment to a mentor who will work with you. To schedule that interview, Click: Career Survey, or call 800/800-1733.
What if I don’t have 10 hours a week?
Most of the writers we work with have one or two jobs, many have families, other interests and responsibilities – but all know that without dedicating time to write each week, they’ll never achieve a process, improve their craft or complete scripts. A writer needs multiple projects completed at industry level to succeed. If 10 hours out of 168 hours in a week can’t be set aside for writing, then writing may not be your thing.
Will you help me sell a script?
Our main mission is to help launch careers. When our alumni complete projects at industry level that merit introduction, we have A-list contacts with agencies, managers, studios, show runners, production companies and numerous corporate clients who appreciate our discerning taste in evaluating material, and know that we never promise our alumni any industry access unless the script is ready. And so, they take our calls.
What if I don’t live in LA or NYC?
Our One-on-One Sessions are unlike others because you will have individual support. It was designed as an exact replica of the live sessions offered in NYC and L.A., and has become so successful it’s now part of the live sessions as well. You’re immediately assigned to a mentor for individual support during twice-a-week phone Office Hours, clarifying and reinforcing your tools emailed from your mentor, regardless of where you live. As long as you have 10 hours a week to write, you can be working immediately.
You only offer short-term Basic Training, or long-term memberships – is there anything in between?
Other than Private Consulting, which is project-based and is the least cost-effective method of mentoring – though ideal for celebrities and others with extremely unpredictable schedules – we don’t offer anything in between. The reason? Writers who are already looking beyond just a single draft of a single project need to focus on the full integration of the process into their personal writing style, and develop multiple projects, one at a time, to professional level and that takes time. Whether you’re looking to just develop one script, and then a series of treatments, or to experiment in film and TV writing, or just focus on elevating your craft level through repetition, the time flies by, and you have the support, deadlines and structure to make the most of that time. (One-on-One writers have the option of enlisting for 9 months or 21 months, with the longer term being the most effective and the most similar to our live Professional Membership.)
Where are your sessions?
In Los Angeles, our sessions are held at our headquarters in Marina del Rey. In New York, our sessions are held at our temporary base near 6th Ave. and 23rd St. And our OPM sessions are held… wherever you are. Do you have the Internet, and a phone? Then you’re ready.
Do you need a finished script to start?
All you need to start is a single-sentence idea – not a full beginning, middle and end to your story, not the complete list of characters, not the time-consuming research that prevents so many writers from getting started. Knowing a little about your character, your story or the adventure the story will tell is enough to apply our Tools to expand and improve that story. On the other hand, if you have a completed draft, that’s fine too. The Tools and process we teach will help elevate any project at any stage of development. If you’ve been building a mansion using hand tools, power tools are welcome at any stage of the process.
Does someone need to read my idea or script first? How do I know if I’m ready?
We don’t read submissions prior to enlistment. Instead, we conduct an interview as part of the screening process. In this live or telephone conversation, we’ll be evaluating your passion for writing, your awareness of your own goals and what it will take to achieve them, and your lifestyle to determine if you have the time and resources to get the most out of this opportunity. If you have 10 hours a week and your bills are covered – and you want to be writing – then you’re ready to start. To schedule that application interview, Click Here: application
What if I have other questions?
Call a Membership Coordinator at 800/800-1733 – we’re always glad to talk with other writers.
Born and raised in San Jose, California, Cory Stone studied Business Management at San Jose State University with a focus in Radio, Television & Film....
Read MoreInspired by the lack of writing results in lecture classes in the 1980’s, Jeffrey Gordon (JG) founded Writers Boot Camp with seven writers in his...
Read MoreA native New Yorker with a background in theater and performance, Brad has spent over a decade writing, working with and learning from playwrights, TV...
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