Hello all, I have been a member here for a very short while. But as one and as well as being a writer I would like to make a mention that I had been through the Writers bootcamp program. I was a bit leery of the school (program) since it was only a certification and was very expensive. I tried Screenwriting books, found them to be slightly help full, but not enough. This program on the other hand after committing to it, I found to be a great tool in very area of writing. I was amazed how I was able to write with such easy. Now like all things it takes commitment and persistence. In short if you are, looking for a good writing program, have some questions or would simply like some writing advice that could help you propel your projects. I would be glad to help. After all, like I said this is a great program but very, very, expensive.
WRITERS BOOTCAMP
- Thread starter red hawk
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Excuse my bad manners, but could you give me a ballpark on the cost? And did you do it online, in NY, or in LA?
and is this the site you were talking about?
and is this the site you were talking about?
Well Kosh,
I'm not sure what the new costs are, I think I paid $5600 at the time. It's a great program, but makes you chew your nails off with that price tag. I took the course in Los Angeles. No, I didn't do the online course, I'm not sure you would get the same benifit as the class room experience.
I'm not sure what the new costs are, I think I paid $5600 at the time. It's a great program, but makes you chew your nails off with that price tag. I took the course in Los Angeles. No, I didn't do the online course, I'm not sure you would get the same benifit as the class room experience.
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I just met with the school a few months ago. At the time the cost was a little over 7 thousand dollars. Please forgive me for sounding rude but I thought it was a complete rip off. The classes meet once every two weeks, if you miss a class you are not able to make it up, I have worked with two alumni and they said they would not recommend it. The main thing they emphasize is to write 10 hours a week. They teachers call you to make sure your keeping up with your writing. I feel that is just a matter of self discipline that you could train yourself to do.
If you have 7 thousand dollars, live in LA, and want to learn how to become a better screen writer I would say take UCLA extension classes. You would be able to take an entire year of classes for 7 thousand. All the instructors are sold screenwriters and very knowable in their field. I have heard the online classes are also great.
If you have 7 thousand dollars, live in LA, and want to learn how to become a better screen writer I would say take UCLA extension classes. You would be able to take an entire year of classes for 7 thousand. All the instructors are sold screenwriters and very knowable in their field. I have heard the online classes are also great.
Holy Crap!!! It's a good thing I'm a do-it-yourself kind of person. I thought 60 bucks for a book on script writing was too expensive. Sheesh. I would have quit before I ever started if I thought I had to spend that kind of money.
I agree the cost was outrageous, but I took a leap of faith with it. I did find a few things annoying about the program. 1st the 10 hours a week is what they build the program on, fine, but the try to ram that down your throat, or at least the in the 6 week part of your two year. I had a great instructor that didn’t do any of that. The (12) steps they teach you are great tools, maybe not worth the money but nevertheless I found them to worth the money. Granted I haven’t sold anything I’ve written, part of that being, starting new projects and not taking that next step. I’m working on that part. Anyhow the other part I didn’t like didn’t have to do with the school as it did with the other classmates. We’ll all be honest you don’t need to go here to get feedback, but then again you hand off ideas to your friends or family and they might tell you what you want to hear. The thing I didn’t like was when you handed off your work to be reviewed by your peers they, (most of them) would be more interested in getting to their own, so they would give vague feedback, and in some cases didn’t like it for whatever reason. I was convinced as a fellow classmate was that since him and I where probably 10 to 20 years younger than anyone there, they didn’t like us. We had found our work was never quite their liking. But surprisingly the first instructor I had was good about feedback. Anyhow, I could be acting as a bit of a hypocrite about it, I do know that most of the people there, roughly 15 in a class, maybe 12 of them where trying to write romance/comedy, or Romance/ drama. Me, Sci-fi, my other classmate, Horror.
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What you just described was a writing group. You can make your own or join one and it wont cost you 7 thousand dollars 
To anyone that wants to join the boot camp you should just pay me 6 grand. I will call you everyday and tell you to write. I will also review any work you have and give amazing feedback. For that kind of cash I will even mow your lawn on Sundays.
To anyone that wants to join the boot camp you should just pay me 6 grand. I will call you everyday and tell you to write. I will also review any work you have and give amazing feedback. For that kind of cash I will even mow your lawn on Sundays.
What you just described was a writing group. You can make your own or join one and it wont cost you 7 thousand dollars
To anyone that wants to join the boot camp you should just pay me 6 grand. I will call you everyday and tell you to write. I will also review any work you have and give amazing feedback. For that kind of cash I will even mow your lawn on Sundays.
No kidding. A simple writing buddy who checks in on your work and you check in on theirs as a buddy support system would also do the trick.
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Hey Red Hawk. You need a buddy? I live over in Valley Village. I have a friend that helps me clean up my scripts but I could use someone to bounce ideas off of.
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Yeah. I live on laurel canyon and magnolia. I am working on some low budget horror scripts right now, cause they are easy to write and sell. do you work in the industry?
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I saw the bootcamp deal and also thought it was a waste of time. I took some screenwriting classes with Gotham Writer's Workshop and found them to be very helpful for much, much less. I'm neither in New York nor L.A., so I find the online forum a great place for me. I studied with Max Adams (Excess Baggage) - which, incidentally, her script was much better than the movie they made out of it - and she was awesome. Some of the best feedback and advice I've ever received. I think I paid $400, which is a lot to most of us, but it was worth it in my opinion.
The problem I have with writing groups is that life intervenes and they tend to fall apart. I think a lot of this is that I don't live in L.A., so the people here do it as a leisurely activity and not something they'll ever seriously pursue. Whereas me, I'm flying out to L.A. every three months if I can. So, I'm usually better off just taking the classes.
The problem I have with writing groups is that life intervenes and they tend to fall apart. I think a lot of this is that I don't live in L.A., so the people here do it as a leisurely activity and not something they'll ever seriously pursue. Whereas me, I'm flying out to L.A. every three months if I can. So, I'm usually better off just taking the classes.
If I've already read most of the screenwriting books, and have written a few screenplays, would Gotham Writer's Workshop be worth my time?
Gotham has three different levels; I, II, and Masters. I think if you've read the books and written screenplays, the first level will be a waste of your time. I think II might be good to work out a story with and revisit any problem areas you have. The master class is small - six plus the instructor - so that everyone provides detailed feedback for the script. I definitely think that class is worth your time, but you have to be accepted and they ask for a writing sample. I haven't taken that one yet, mostly because I don't have the time to devote to the class right now. If I'm not mistaken, to take the masters you have to take II first, but I could be wrong on that.
So yes, in my opinion, Gotham could still be beneficial for you. If you've never taken at least one screenwriting class, I'd highly recommend it. The interaction with instructor's who've sold scripts is a valuable experience, not to mention the notes they give you on your work. So, for me, that alone is worth it. I suppose it all depends on what you think, though.
Hey Jessegrillofilm,
I know a few people, including myself that have written horror. I agree they are easy to write, but again a interesting story is hard part. I see to many slasher films.
No I don't directly work in the industry. Well unless you count helping out on friends projects.
I know a few people, including myself that have written horror. I agree they are easy to write, but again a interesting story is hard part. I see to many slasher films.
No I don't directly work in the industry. Well unless you count helping out on friends projects.