Hollywood 101: A Career Workshop for Every Film & TV Writer/Producer/Director

Learn directly from Nikki Levy, a seasoned development executive who has served as Vice President at WedgeWorks at Fox Animation (Epic), Director of Development at Imagine Entertainment (Frost/Nixon) and Creative Executive at Gold Circle Films (Because I Said So).

In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, host Nikki Levy will be offering a Master Class on Hollywood.

Most of us don’t have family members in the business grandfathering us in and hiring us to write movies! What we do have is a strong desire to break in and perhaps some wonderful scripts and projects gathering dust on a shelf.

Nikki has worked in the trenches of Hollywood for 12 years, and will teach you everything you need to know about the basics of the film and TV industry. You may be a newbie, but there’s no reason anyone has to know that! You bring the talent, she will teach you how to go the extra mile to land the job.

Nikki will be exploring how writers and filmmakers get representation, break into the film business, and get staffed on TV shows. You will master the confusing jargon of the industry (know what “chuffa,” “bump,” and “for a price” mean?) so you can nail those general meetings and be seen as someone who not only creates good content, but knows the business.

You will leave this webinar knowing:

• An understanding of the inner-workings of the film industry – studios, production companies, agencies.
• An understanding of the inner-workings of the TV industry.
• How to get an agent or manager.
• How a writers’ room works.
• How to get staffed.

Showrunners and producers like hiring people who have a strong working knowledge of the business. With this class, you will be that person.

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What You Will Learn:

• How a script goes from submission to fruition.
• Secrets to landing an agent or manager.
• The structure of a film studio.
• The structure of an agency.
• The structure of a production company.
• The difference between agents and managers, and which ones you need.
• Key “film” lingo.
• Key “TV” lingo.
• The ins & outs of staffing season.
• The etiquette of a general meeting.
• How to nail a staffing interview.
• How a writers’ room works.
• Secrets to surviving a writers’ room.
• How to create a logline for yourself.
• How to pitch yourself.
• What to be watching on TV.
• Live Q&A session with Nikki!

Who Should Attend?

• Any creative seeking an assistant job in any aspect of Hollywood.
• Filmmakers looking to learn more about the business.
• TV writers interested in landing representation.
• Feature film writers interested in landing representation.
• Writers looking to gain an understanding of the industry.
• Producers looking to bolster their knowledge of the inner workings of Hollywood.
• Producers who want a clearer understanding of the role studios, producers and reps play in deal making.
• Playwrights looking to transition to TV or feature work.
• Those interested in landing a gig as a writer’s room assistant.
• Directors interested in how gaining a clearer knowledge of the business.
• Novelists interested in breaking into television or film.
• Journalists looking to break into the television or film industry.

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Testimonials About Nikki's Previous Stage 32 Webinars and Classes:

"Loved the specific advice, not only about the script for this type of project, but also the etiquette tips. Really appreciate the generosity and help." - Catherine M.

"Nikki's great! So warm and engaging! I think it' so helpful to have someone who knows SOOO much." - Jennifer T.W.

"Nikki is personable and has a wonderful demeanor. I learned so much in such a short period of time." - Tiffany A.

"Very helpful info, [she has] a very good way of getting the message across, I like how [she] ask us questions too and respond to every single comment or question asked. Very interactive. Thanks for preparing us for the General Meeting also, that was good to have that in there too!" - Diane G.

"Great communicator. Stays on track. Respectful of the work and writers. Very nice person." - Terry S.

"Nikki was a fabulous teacher and a delight. She gave lots of clear information with examples to make sure everyone understood. I really feel like I'm in a much better place writing my short for the Nickelodeon Script First short animation competition than I would have been if I'd just done it on my own." - Alanna V.

"Excellent job. Nikki has an authoritative grasp on the subject matter and delivers class information with wisdom, wit, and tons of insider knowledge and experience. It was a great class and highly appreciated!" - Dianna Z.

"Nikki was great. The insight she shared along with her knowledge of the business was so helpful and appreciated." - Anthony M.

About The Webinar Format:

Webinars take place in Los Angeles time. They are done online using a designated software program from Stage 32. You can participate from the comfort of your own home and you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the webinar. If you cannot attend the live webinar, you can still participate! The webinar will be recorded and you will have on-demand access to the audio recording, which you can view as many times as you'd like for a whole year. You will receive access to the on-demand recording within 24-48 hours of the live webinar. More information can be found below.

About Your Host Nikki Levy, Seasoned Hollywood Development Executive:

Nikki Levy has been a development executive in Hollywood for over 12 years. Beginning her career in New York as a field producer for The Oxygen Network at its inception in 1999, Levy has a passion for telling stories and creating content.

Most recently the Vice President of Wedge Works, a feature film production company with a deal at Fox animation, Levy helped develop the animated film EPIC, as well as numerous feature film projects in the family, comedy & sci/fi spaces.

She was previously the Director of Development at Imagine Entertainment where she developed comedy projects, as well as the Academy Award-nominated Frost/Nixon.

She has a strong background in comedy, theater and writing.

In addition to her development experience, Levy created the critically-acclaimed comedy event Don’t Tell My Mother! where amazing actors tell true stories they’d never want their moms to know. Some recent performers include Teri Hatcher, Orange Is The New Black’s Alysia Reiner, Tracee Ellis Ross, Joanna Kerns, Kate McKinnon, Timothy Omundson, Beth Grant, Laraine Newman, Fortune Feimster, Kate Flannery, and Mary Lynn Rajskub – to name a few.

The show takes place in LA, NYC and Chicago.