FilmLab

FilmLab

Submissions are open for the FilmLab Educational Writer’s Room!

FilmLab meets once a month to talk shop – find out more at our Events Calendar. We are also happy to announce that submissions are open now for the 2024 FilmLab Educational Writer’s Room. Read on to find out more.

Upcoming Film Workshops

There are no upcoming events.

2024 FilmLab Educational Writer’s Room

This year, Willamette Writers is excited to offer an in-person educational opportunity for aspiring screenwriters. Eight writers will be selected by a panel of judges to participate in a two-day in-person writer’s room in Portland, Oregon. They will work with Grant Rosenberg, an experienced showrunner, producer, and screenwriter, to create a series of short, scripted vignettes. They will then collaborate on the final script, which will be performed by SAG-AFTRA actors at the Willamette Writers Conference in August. This script will move into production in 2025.

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About the Writer’s Room

Eight writers will participate in the writer’s room.

In the writer’s room, they will develop the specifics of the script concept and flesh out the characters (including determining their story arcs). As a group, they will outline the stories. Finally, the writers will be paired up to collaborate on a three-page script, which they will have three weeks to complete. 

The final scripts will be performed by SAG-AFTRA actors at the Willamette Writers Conference in Portland on August 3, 2024.

Submission Details

Submissions open on Submittable on March 18, 2024. Submissions are free for Willamette Writers members, and $4.00 for guests. Writers submit an 8-page sample of their work to be considered. Submissions should emphasize character and dialogue and be presented in script format as a PDF.

This is an educational opportunity, and participation is key!

Writers who submit but are not accepted will be invited to participate as viewers of the in-person writer’s room.

2022 FilmLab participants cannot submit their work but are invited to join the room as viewers. Press the button below to submit your work!

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Timeline

  • Applications open: March 18, 2024
  • Applications close: April 28, 2024
  • Writers’ Room Announcement: May 13, 2024
  • Writer’s Room Dates: June 22 & 23, 2024
  • Willamette Writers Conference: July 31 – August 4, 2024

How do you know if FilmLab is right for you?

FilmLabTV is an educational experience aimed at helping writers learn to pitch their ideas, find their voice in the Writer’s Room, and hear their work read by professionals in a formal setting. The goal is to get you the experience you need to take that next step in your writing career. If this sounds like what you need, submit your work.

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History of FilmLab

FiLMLaB started in 2012 during the Willamette Writers Conference. The lab grew out of a desire to expand upon and promote the growing film industry in Portland, Oregon.

The Script to Screen Competition was the focus of FiLMLaB in past years. Writers submit a script, which is judged by industry professionals in Portland for the first round, then sent to our judges in LA for the final round. The winning script is then produced by Willamette Writers, and is premiered at the Willamette Writers Conference the first week of August.

Proudly Supported By

Companies and Organizations

Regional Arts and Culture Council

Gearhead Production Rentals

Deep Sea Pictures

Koerner Camera

Galaxy Sailor Productions

Canby Film Festival

Klamath Film Festival

Individuals

FJ Pratt

Phil Anderson 

Alexandra Keister

Eric Macy

Jade Harris

Efrem Peter

Heidi DuBose

Kameron Gates

Glenn McCumber

Jessi Walters

Raquel Mansell

Randall Jahnson

Stefen Feuerhardt, Attorney at Law

Amy Souza

Kate Ristau

Donations

Nicholas Restaurant

Off the Waffle

Crater Lake Soda

Xylem Cider

Ecliptic Brewing

New Cascadia

Hot Lips Pizza

Nossa Familia Coffee

Heathman Hotel