The CineStory Foundation believes in helping writers find their voice. We’re entering a world in which the ways to tell stories are limitless. Those stories always begin with a blank page. Our goal with the Television Retreat is to educate writers about the unique world of TV storytelling, from the collaborative nature of writing for networks or streaming channels to the independent realm of creating and shooting series for the web.

Structured like the CineStory Feature Retreat, the CineStory TV Retreat will take place over three days in the beautiful mountains of Idyllwild, California. Attendees will receive three one-on-one, one and a half hour sessions with CineStory mentors. During these sessions, mentors will give attendees feedback on improving the craft of the script(s) they submitted in advance and will also discuss with writers various aspects of the business of TV writing to help the writer better understand TV writers’ various roles in the entertainment industry.  TV Writers also will experience what it’s like to sit in a professional writers rooms run by an experienced mentor. In addition, mentors and writers will gather for meals, drinks and other special events.

There are three different TV entry categories:

ORIGINAL DRAMA – 1 HOUR SERIES

·        The pilot episode of your original one hour drama series (45 – 65 pages, excluding cover page)

ORIGINAL COMEDY – 30 MINUTE SERIES

·        The pilot episode of your original single-camera comedy or multi-camera sitcom (single camera pilots, 22 – 45 pages, excluding cover page; multi-camera pilots, 52 – 58 pages, excluding cover page, with dialogue double spaced throughout)

ORIGINAL SCIENCE FICTION OR FANTASY – 1 HOUR SERIES

·        The pilot episode of your original series that falls into the Science Fiction or Fantasy genre (below) (45 – 65 pages, excluding cover page)

·        Science Fiction – Stories about time travel, space travel, advanced technology, extraterrestrials, post-apocalyptic and alien worlds; examples include “Star Trek,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “The 100,” “Sense8,” “The Walking Dead”

·        Fantasy – Stories featuring elements of the fantastic, often including magic, supernatural forces, or exotic fantasy worlds; examples include “Game Of Thrones,” “Once Upon A Time,” “Supernatural,” “The Magicians,” “American Gods”

ATTENDING THE RETREAT/GRAND PRIZE TV FELLOWSHIP

To earn the opportunity to attend the TV Retreat, writers must submit a TV script to the TV Retreat & Fellowship Competition. The division winners, finalist and semifinalists will receive invites to attend the retreat. Any additional spots will be offered to quarterfinalists.

The CineStory TV Retreat will take place over three days in the beautiful mountains of Idyllwild, California. Attendees receive three one-on-one, one and a half hour sessions with CineStory mentors. During these sessions, mentors will give attendees feedback on improving the craft of the script(s) they submitted in advance and will also discuss with writers various aspects of the business of TV writing to help writers better understand TV writers’ various roles in the entertainment industry.

TV Writers also will experience what it’s like to sit in a professional writers room run by an experienced mentor.  In addition, mentors and writers will gather for meals, drinks, screenings and other special events.  

Every year, CineStory has top-notch industry mentors. Here are some of the past mentors who've attended:

·       Steve Tao (Executive at BAD ROBOT)

·       Jamie Pachino (Writer: CHICAGO PD, HALT AND CATCH FIRE, FRANKLIN & BASH, FAIRLY LEGAL)

·       Jason Brown (Producer: THE EXPANSE, BEN-HUR, AGENT 13)

·       David Iserson (Writer/Producer: MR. ROBOT, MAD MEN, NEW GIRL, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE)

·       Laura Brennan (Writer: MOST LIKELY TO DIE, HIGHLANDER, ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE'S LOST WORLD)

·       Tamara Federici (Writer/Director: CHAPPELLE'S SHOW, THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART, THIS JUST IN)

·       Josh Goldenberg (Manager)

·       Chris Whitaker (Writer/Producer: CHICABEES, MAKERS)

·       Kevin Townsley (Writer: LIE TO ME, FOR KEITH'S SAKE, STRAND STREET)

·       Aaron Vaccaro (Writer: MIKE & MOLLY)

·       Marla White (Executive: RAKE, THE JIM GAFFIGAN SHOW, OUTSIDERS)

·       Lorien McKenna (Writer/Producer: RATATOUILLE, UP, BRAVE, INSIDE OUT, THE GOOD DINOSAUR)

·       David Baird (Manager)