Austin (Tex.)

Sure, we all know how essential good characters can be to a good story, but what about the setting? The INT/EXT of a screenplay can play just as important of a role, and some writers have made the unique choice to set their story in a single location. Join this panel for an exploration of the benefits and challenges of shooting in one location, how to approach setting as a character, and the ways it can inform the world, rules, and tone of a film.

Join this conversation with Noah Hawley, the man behind some of TV’s best dramatic series. From Bones to Fargo to Legion, Hawley is an award-winning screenwriter, producer, and director. Join Hawley as he explores the creation and execution of a limited series, writing across mediums, and making adaptations your own.

Join this highly anticipated conversation with the 2017 Awardees, Walter Hill, Kenneth Lonergan, and Keenen Ivory Wayans, as they discuss their careers and approaches to the art, craft, and business of storytelling through film and television.

Join Marc Haimes for a conversation about the samurai stop motion epic, Kubo and the Two Strings. Haimes will discuss the process of bringing to life this animated, original story, including the heavy research required to make the story fit perfectly into its ancient Japanese setting. For lovers of animation or celebrators of creativity, don’t miss the making of this magical film.

A series of successful podcasters will share with you their journey into this medium and how to harness the power of podcasting to make a living through your storytelling. Addressing the unique financial opportunity within this industry, these panelists will dive into the financial nuts and bolts of starting and selling your podcast.

The what, where, and why of finding a manager. What can you expect from the relationship? Where do you find representation? And why is having an agent important? Join a screenwriter and their manager for an in-depth exploration on how to find, keep, and make the most of this important relationship.

These days, a good social media presence is an integral part of every writer’s toolkit. Different platforms can help you show off your work, interact with your audience, and reach new writing communities. The only catch is staying on top of it all. Join these writers to learn more about how to build a smart strategy when you’re networking online.

Screenwriters are, of course, the perennially overworked, underappreciated artists whose hearts, souls, and lifeblood the movie world depends on. Since its inception in 1993, Austin Film Festival has worked diligently to erode the “underappreciated” element by championing screenwriters through theConference, film programs, and screenplay/teleplay competitions. For the second year, AFF partnered with MovieMaker Magazine to highlight filmmakers with different backgrounds and at different stages in their careers: promising creators who possess original voices, keen storytelling sensibilities, and bright and buzzy futures. Join this panel to meet just a few of 2017's "25 Screenwriters to Watch" as they impact major turning points in their careers and important lessons learned along the way.

Because film and TV are such visual mediums, it’s easy to forget one of your most important storytelling tools: good dialogue. Most of us talk to people every day, so why is putting it on the page so difficult? Join this panel of speech-focused scribes for a conversation on when to “show” and when to “tell”, why dialogue is key to character development, and how it is crucial in shaping the world of your story.

Take part in this conversation with novelist, TV creator, screenwriter, producer, and director Mark Frost. Frost served as a writer and executive producer on seminal police drama Hill Street Blues, and co-created the cult show Twin Peaks. Join Frost as he discusses his writing style, working across mediums, and his experience working on the forefront of television.