Los Angeles Events Calendar – January 2025

The Writers Guild of America East invites members to attend events happening in Los Angeles and online this month.

The calendar below includes information on screenings, panels and committee meetings taking place in October.

RSVPs are not required for screenings at the Writers Guild Theater. You only need your Guild membership card to attend all screenings. All screenings take place at the Writers Guild Theater (135 S. Doheny Dr., Beverly Hills) and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Unless otherwise specified, you can bring up to TWO guests to screenings. You can find the latest list of upcoming Los Angeles screenings via the WGAW website. (external – opens in a new window)

RSVPs are required for all other, non-screening events.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at events@wgaeast.org. 

View Meetings | View Screenings

Upcoming Meetings & Events – In-Person & Virtual

Tuesday, January 7, 3pm PT / 6pm ET
The Nutshell Technique: Crack the Secret to Screenplay Structure
Zoom
RSVP
According to author and script consultant Jill Chamberlain, 99% of new screenwriters fail to tell a story. What those writers do instead is present a situation. Do you know the difference? In this information-packed workshop, Jill will walk through the Nutshell Technique, the method she created to visually demonstrate to writers the difference and to show them how to transform mere situations into surprising and satisfying stories. She’ll demonstrate how the Nutshell Technique works both for feature film and for episodic television. At the end of the workshop, she’ll work live with 1–3 participants who volunteer to workshop a feature or pilot they are working on using the Nutshell Technique.
Prerequisites: This workshop will refer to Tootsie, Groundhog Day, and the pilot to Arrested Development. Please watch or rewatch Tootsie before the class. If you’ve never seen Groundhog Day or the pilot for Arrested Development, also watch those prior to the class (if you’ve previously seen Groundhog Day or the Arrested Development pilot, no need to rewatch those).
Please note that this is a live event only. There will be no recording made available to WGA members at a later date.

Wednesday, January 08, 12–1:30 p.m.
WGF Library Script Breakdown with Conclave’s Peter Straughan
Zoom
RSVP
In this virtual event series, WGF Librarians Javier Barrios and Lauren O’Connor gather acclaimed writers for the ultimate script dissection, looking at scripts on screen to analyze and learn about description, dialogue, character voice, text on screen, plus much more. For this session, we welcome Peter Straughan, the writer of Conclave. He’ll take us through the pages of his adapted screenplay and share his approach to developing memorable characters and dialogue. RSVP for free or with a suggested donation. All donations go towards producing future panels and events. After signing up, you’ll receive information on how to access the Zoom panel.

Wednesday, January 08, 7–9 p.m.
Career Longevity Committee Meeting
Zoom
RSVP
The mission of the Career Longevity Committee is to advocate for writers over 40 to obtain equal access to the job market with equal opportunity for sustained professional growth. Established in 1980.

Thursday, January 09, 7–9 p.m.
Committee of Black Writers Meeting
Zoom
RSVP
The WGAW Committee of Black Writers’ mission is to empower, increase visibility, and create career and networking opportunities for Black writers in Hollywood. Established in 1975.

Thursday, January 09, 7–8:30 p.m.
Writers Education Committee Meeting
WGAW 2nd Floor, Multi-purpose Room + Zoom (Hybrid)
RSVP
WGAW’s Writers Education Committee has a broad mandate to develop programs that provide Guild members with practical, inside knowledge about how the industry works and how it is changing, emphasizing tips and tools to help writers succeed. The goal is to provide working knowledge for writers. Food & beverages served from 6–7 p.m.

Friday, January 10, 9:30am PT / 12:30pm ET
Friday Drop-In Career Coaching with Jim Arnoff
Zoom
RSVP
Join Jim Arnoff for an interactive group coaching session to help Guild members develop their writing careers. Arnoff will assist the group to navigate specific challenges, from working through blocks to brainstorming solutions and creating individual action plans that move projects forward.

Monday, January 13, 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET
Tax Planning for Media & Entertainment Professionals
Zoom
RSVP
This seminar aims to better educate you about taxes, so that you can make more informed decisions and hopefully save some money. Topics to be covered include:

• An Overview of taxes for writers/entertainment professionals
• Discussion of tax rates, self-employment tax, multi-state issues
• Pitfalls most writers run into
• Itemized deductions
• Discussion of the new deduction for flow-through businesses – 199A
• When and why to incorporate

Monday, January 13, 7–9 p.m.
Disabled Writers Committee Meeting
Zoom
RSVP
The Disabled Writers Committee advances the visibility and employment of disabled writers while encouraging, celebrating, and endorsing accurate and diverse portrayals of disabled people in all areas of media. We also serve as an expert resource for various issues impacting and related to the disabled community. Established in 1982.

Tuesday, January 14, 7–9 p.m.
Native American & Indigenous Writers Committee Meeting
WGAW 2nd Floor, Multi-purpose Room + Zoom (Hybrid)
RSVP
The NAIWC represents the professional and creative interests of Native American & Indigenous writers. It works to mentor, encourage, empower and increase the visibility of employment of writers of Native American & Indigenous heritage, and serves as a cultural and educational resource for all Guild member-writers seeking to portray Native American & Indigenous Peoples in their work. Established in 2007.

Wednesday, January 15, 7–9 p.m.
South Asian Writers Committee Meeting
Zoom
RSVP
The South Asian Writers Committee was created to enhance the visibility, access, employment opportunities, and community support of South Asian WGA members. We seek to increase awareness of our unique culture and to empower and support South Asian writers, storylines, and portrayals on screen. Established in 2024.

Saturday, January 18, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
New Year, New Write-A-Thon
Zoom
RSVP
Crush your writing goals in 2025 with this year’s first WGF Write-A-Thon! On Saturday, January 18, we’re opening the Library for a six-hour writing sprint with our library staff on hand to help with script requests and a community of writers providing the motivation you need to brainstorm, write, revise, or finish that script. Food and drinks will be provided, and those who stick around to the very end will be entered into a raffle to win fun prizes. Tickets are $25. Proceeds for this event benefit the Foundation’s library, archive, and other outreach programs. Doors open at 3PM. Space is very limited for this event, so secure your spot today!

Tuesday, January 21, 7:30–9:30 p.m.
LGBTQ+ Writers Committee Meeting
WGAW 2nd Floor, Multi-purpose Room + Zoom (Hybrid)
RSVP
The Writers Guild of America West’s LGBTQ+ Writers Committee seeks to utilize its constituency as a resource to all writers who include LGBTQ+ characters in their work. Its members also wish to provide cultural and educational opportunities for WGAW members to nurture an understanding of how sexual orientation and gender identity affect the lives of writers; endeavor to provide networking and social activities enabling the WGAW membership to better know one another and create a greater demand for the writing services of LGBTQ+ WGAW members; and strive to generate a greater awareness within the Guild of sexual orientation (and gender identity) as a minority and, where appropriate, to identify and advocate against instances of homophobia, transphobia and/or discrimination within our industry. Established in 2002.

Monday, January 27, 7–9 p.m.
Latinx Writers Committee Meeting
WGAW 2nd Floor, Multi-purpose Room + Zoom (Hybrid)
RSVP
This committee actively represents the professional, creative, social and economic interests of Latinx Guild members. Its mandate is to encourage Latinx writers to become more active within the Guild; and to raise the profile and perception of Latinx writers in the industry at large by creating forums that foster networking, collaboration, education, information exchange, employment opportunities and creative expression. Established in 1977.

Upcoming Screenings

All Los Angeles screenings take place at the Writers Guild Theater (135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211). Parking is free/validated at theater. You can bring TWO (2) GUESTS to all general screenings, and THREE (3) GUESTS at all Family Matinees. Seating is first come, first served. No RSVP needed. The most up-to-date list of screenings can always be found on the WGAW’s Screenings Calendar.

Friday, January 3, 7:30 p.m.
Screening: KRAVEN THE HUNTER
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Screenplay by Richard Wenk and Art Marcum & Matt Holloway
Story by Richard Wenk
Based on the Marvel Comics

Saturday, January 4, 11:00 a.m.
Screening: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Screenplay by Pat Casey & Josh Miller and John Whittington
Story by Pat Casey & Josh Miller
Based on the SEGA Video Game
Family Matinee: Members may bring up to 3 guests (ages 3 and up) to this screening.

Saturday, January 4, 2:00 p.m.
Screening: UNION
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Directed by Brett Story, Stephen Maing
Produced by Brett Story, Stephen Maing, Samantha Curley, Mars Verrone, Martin DiCicco
This Feature is a Documentary.

Saturday, January 4, 5:00 p.m.
Screening: MILLERS IN MARRIAGE
Q&A with Edward Burns immediately following.
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Written and Directed by Edward Burns

Sunday, January 5, 11:00 a.m.
Screening: VERMIGLIO
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Written and Directed by Maura Delpero
This is a Foreign Language film with English subtitles.

Sunday, January 5, 2:00 p.m.
Screening: DAY OF THE FIGHT
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Written and Directed by Jack Huston

Sunday, January 5, 5:00 p.m.
Screening: THE COUNT OF MONTE-CRISTO
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Screenplay, Adaptation and Dialogues by Matthieu Delaporte & Alexandre De La Patelliére
Based on the Novel by Alexandre Dumas
This is a Foreign Language film with English subtitles.

Friday, January 10, 7:30 p.m.
Screening: SAY A LITTLE PRAYER
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Q&A with Nancy De Los Santos immediately following.
Written by Nancy De Los Santos

Saturday, January 18, 11:00 a.m.
Screening: ARMAND
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Written and Directed by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel
This is a Foreign Language film with English subtitles.

Saturday, January 18, 2:00 p.m.
Screening: WOLF MAN
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Written by Leigh Whannell & Corbett Tuck

Sunday, January 19, 11:00 a.m.
Screening: OH, CANADA
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Written for the Screen and Directed by Paul Schrader
Based on the Novel “Foregone” by Russell Banks

Sunday, January 19, 2:00 p.m.
Screening: PRESENCE
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Written by David Koepp

Friday, January 24, 7:30 p.m.
Screening: COMPANION
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Q&A with Drew Hancock immediately following.
Written by Drew Hancock