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 Television Retreat takes 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.
TV Dates, Deadlines & Divisions
RETREAT DATES
- Mid-March 2022 (TBD)
DEADLINES & SUBMISSION FEES
- Early Deadline – June 14, 2021 ($50)
- Regular Deadline – July 12, 2021 ($69)
- Late Deadline – August 30, 2021 ($81)
- Extended Late Deadline – October 11, 2021 ($88)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Top 50 Writers – Mid-December
- Top 25 Writers/Invitees – Mid-January
- Finalists – Early February
- Fellowship Winner – Late February
TV DIVISIONS
- Original Drama – 1 hour series
- Original Comedy – 30 minute series
- Original Sci Fi/Fantasy – 1 hour series
- Original Children/Family – 30 min series
Pilots only. For division details, please visit our TV Submissions page.
2021 VIRTUAL RETREAT
Like the 2020 TV and feature retreats, the 2021 TV retreat will be virtual due to the pandemic. Retreat attendees receive three one-on-one, hour and a half sessions with CineStory mentors during which they can discuss everything from the project they submitted for feedback to jump starting their writing careers. For an additional fee, retreat attendees also have the option to add a fourth mentor session.
The virtual retreat also will include our unique informal sessions, comedy and drama writers’ rooms, one-on-one mentor meetings, virtual happy hours, writers’ hangout rooms with mentor AMAs, and a lunchtime guest speaker series.
Our goal is to create as valuable and collaborative an environment as our usual in-person retreat.
TESTIMONIALS FROM 2020 VIRTUAL TV RETREAT ATTENDEES:
“Despite all things 2020, I able to come out of the virtual Cinestory equipped with exactly what I had hoped an in-person retreat would’ve provided: mentors with whom I genuinely connected and a supportive, brilliant community of writers.” Greg Fortier
“I’m so inspired and impressed by the quality of mentors and panelists that gave their time to the retreat. And I’m beyond thrilled with the connections I made- from the organizers to the mentors to my fellow attendees. I came away with new knowledge and a new writing community.” Rachel Hroncich
“This event was massively worthwhile despite being moved online and really helped to reignite my momentum. The script I thought was ‘finished’ now has meaningful, actionable changes to be made thanks to the insightful and detailed advice of mentors.” Mel Evans
“It’s an intensive retreat where you’re living, breathing and absorbing all things TV writing. From deep one-on-one sessions with mentors to mock writing rooms that felt almost real, from inspiring seminars with writers and industry professionals to happy hours and TV trivia competitions, it was incredibly informative and just so much fun. I came away inspired to write and brimming with ideas and new connections.” Randi Barros
Attending the TV Retreat
To earn the opportunity to attend the TV Retreat, writers must submit an original pilot episode teleplay in one of the TV divisions of the TV Retreat & Fellowship Contest. The division winners and finalists are invited to the attend the retreat for an additional fee. Any remaining spots are offered to category semifinalists and quarterfinalists.
TV Grand Prize Fellowship
The Grand Prize for the competition is the CineStory TV Fellowship, a 12-month educational mentorship program during which the TV Fellow works with 2 Hollywood professionals hand-picked to educate the Fellow about the craft and business of TV writing so the Fellow better understands the various roles TV writers play in the entertainment industry. The TV Fellow also receives $1,000 as well as free tuition and housing for the retreat.
An integral part of the TV Fellowship is becoming part of the CineStory community. Consequently, the winner of the TV Fellowship must attend the Television Retreat in order to receive the cash award and to benefit from all other aspects of the Fellowship.
CineStory is solely a nonprofit educational organization. It is not a talent representation service of any kind. It does not, nor does it seek to, manage and/or direct the development of writers’ careers in any way. Additionally, it does not, nor does it seek to, procure representation and/or employment of any kind for writers. Its sole purpose is to educate emerging writers about the craft and business of writing for the screen.