Los Angeles Events Calendar – December 2024

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

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Upcoming Meetings & Events – In-Person & Virtual

Monday, December 02, 2–3:30 p.m. PT / 5–6:30 p.m. ET
The Fundamentals of Screenwriting: Making a Short Film: The Screenwriter’s #1 Calling Card
Zoom
RSVP
The latest installment of the WGAE’s Fundamentals of Screenwriting series with Timothy Michael Cooper. A standout short film is THE single best calling card available–but it’s not easy to make a great one that breaks through to the masses. In this workshop hosted by Timothy Michael Cooper you’ll learn to excel in this one-of-a-kind format to demonstrate your greatest strengths.

Tuesday, December 03, 7–8:30 p.m.
WGAW Genre Committee Meeting
WGAW 2nd Floor, Multi-purpose Room + Zoom (Hybrid)
RSVP
WGAW’s Genre Committee was formed with the purpose of attracting writers interested in a certain genre, to meet, discuss and exchange information in a peer-to-peer setting. Our mission is to push education, diversity and camaraderie amongst all writers no matter their background. The Committee welcomes all writers because writers work in all genres. Members welcome to attend this meeting in-person or via Zoom. Food & beverages served from 6–7 p.m. Special guest Christian Bersani (Vice President of Film & TV, Josephson Entertainment) will appear at meeting start at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, December 04, 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, December 05, 7–9 p.m.
Asian American Writers Committee Meeting
Zoom
RSVP
This committee actively represents the professional and creative interests of Asian American Guild members. Its mandate is to be dedicated to the encouragement, empowerment and employment of writers of Asian heritage. Established in 2002.

Friday, December 06, 9:30–10:30 a.m. PT / 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Friday Drop-In Career Coaching with Jim Arnoff
Zoom
RSVP
Join Jim Arnoff for an interactive group coaching session to help Writers Guild members with their writing career. Arnoff will help writers navigate specific challenges, from working through blocks, brainstorming solutions and creating individual action plans that move projects forward.

Monday, December 09, 7–9 p.m.
Committee of Women Writers Meeting
Zoom
RSVP
The Committee of Women Writers represents the professional interests of the women-identifying Guild members who are seeking WGA-covered work. The CWW sponsors events designed to increase access to employment and to foster networking and collaboration between the women-identifying members of all Guilds. The goal is to improve the profile and perception of women-identifying writers in our industry in order to achieve equal access and financial parity in the workplace. Established in 1972.

Wednesday, December 11, 7–8:30 p.m.
Demystifying the Mystery Procedural
WGAW 2nd Floor, Multi-purpose Room + Zoom (Hybrid)
RSVP
Despite a perceived decline in prestige, the episodic mystery procedural remains an enduring and popular television genre, and with more streamers embracing an ad-supported model, the mystery procedural is due for a major resurgence. Still, many WGA members lack experience in writing for this genre. Mining the knowledge of experienced TV writers and showrunners, this panel will examine the nuts and bolts of writing the network mystery, including creating compelling detective leads, coming up with self-contained single-episode stories, plotting satisfying twists and turns, laying out solid clue trails, and writing traditional five and six-act structures. Co-presented by WGAW’s Genre and Writers Education Committees, this panel will provide guidelines for crafting sample episodes and spec pilots that meet the demands of this exacting genre, all in an effort to demystify the mystery procedural. Panelists: Alexi Hawley (Creator-showrunner, The Rookie, The Recruit, The Rookie: Feds), Liz Heldens (Co-Developer-showrunner, Will Trent), Arika Mittman (Creator-showrunner, _The Irrational; _Elementary, Dexter), and Pam Veasey (CSI: New York, CSI: Cyber, The District). Moderator: Robert Hewitt Wolfe (EP, The Irrational; EP, Elementary; Consulting Producer, Prodigal Son). Member check-in/food & drinks served from 6–7 p.m. prior to panel start at 7 p.m.

Thursday, December 12, 7–9 p.m.
Middle Eastern Writers Committee Meeting
Zoom
RSVP
The mission of the Middle Eastern Writers Committee is to boost visibility and employment of Middle Eastern writers within the film and television industry, while celebrating and promoting accurate portrayals of Middle Eastern characters in all areas of media. We also serve as an expert resource for productions on issues related to the vast and diverse Middle Eastern community in the United States and abroad. Established in 2020.

Tuesday, December 17, 7:30–9:30 p.m.
Jewish Writers Committee Meeting
WGAW 2nd Floor, Multi-purpose Room
RSVP
The Jewish Writers Committee represents the professional, creative, and social interests of Jewish writers of all backgrounds and levels of observance and offers a sense of community. It educates and advocates with the goal of encouraging the accurate depiction of Jewish characters and Jewish history in the media. It promotes Jewish inclusion on and off the screen, working to prevent discrimination in the hiring process. Established in 2024.

 

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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.

Sunday, December 1, 11:00 a.m.
Screening: THE RETURN
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Screenplay by John Collee, Edward Bond, Uberto Pasolini
Based on the Poem “The Odyssey” by Homer

Sunday, December 1, 2:00 p.m.
Screening: Y2K
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Written by Kyle Mooney & Evan Winter
Directed by Kyle Mooney

Sunday, December 1, 5:00 p.m.
Screening: THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Written and Directed by Mohammad Rasoulof
This is a Foreign Language film with English subtitles.

Friday, December 6, 7:00 p.m.
Screening: A COMPLETE UNKNOWN
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Q&A with James Mangold immediately following.
Screenplay by James Mangold and Jay Cocks
Based on the book “Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan And The Night That Split The Sixties” by Elijah Wald

Sunday, December 8, 10:30 a.m.
Screening: LA COCINA
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Screenplay by Alonso Ruizpalacios
Based on the Play “The Kitchen” by Arnold Wesker

Sunday, December 8, 2:00 p.m.
Screening: THE ORDER
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Q&A with Zach Baylin immediately following.
Screenplay by Zach Baylin
Based on the Book “The Silent Brotherhood” by Kevin Flynn & Gary Gerhardt

Sunday, December 8, 5:30 p.m.
Screening: THE BRUTALIST
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Written by Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold
Directed by Brady Corbet

Friday, December 13, 7:30 p.m.
Screening: NOSFERATU
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Q&A with Robert Eggers immediately following.
Screenplay by Robert Eggers

Saturday, December 14, 12:30 p.m.
Screening: HARD TRUTHS
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Written and Directed by Mike Leigh

Saturday, December 14, 3:00 p.m.
Screening: UNSTOPPABLE
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Q&A with Eric Champnella and John Hindman immediately following.
Screenplay by Eric Champnella and Alex Harris and John Hindman
Based on the Book by Anthony Robles with Austin Murphy

Saturday, December 14, 7:00 p.m.
Screening: THE END
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Screenplay by Rasmus Heisterberg, Joshua Oppenheimer

Sunday, December 15, 11:00 a.m.
Screening: THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Written by Magnus von Horn, Line Langebek Knudsen
This is a Foreign Language film with English subtitles.

Sunday, December 15, 2:00 p.m.
Screening: THE ROOM NEXT DOOR
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Written and Directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Based on the Novel “What Are You Going Through” by Sigrid Nunez

Sunday, December 15, 5:00 p.m.
Screening: THE LAST SHOWGIRL
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Q&A with Kate Gersten immediately following.
Written by Kate Gersten

Friday, December 20, 7:30 p.m.
Screening: NIGHTBITCH
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Screenplay by Marielle Heller
Based on the Novel by Rachel Yoder

Saturday, December 21, 11:00 a.m.
Screening: THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Screenplay by Jefferey Addiss & Will Matthews and Phoebe Gittins & Arty Papageorgiou
Story by Jefferey Addiss & Will Matthews and Philippa Boyens
Based on Characters Created by J.R.R. Tolkien
Family Matinee: Members may bring up to 3 guests (ages 3 and up) to this screening.

Saturday, December 21, 2:00 p.m.
Screening: BABYGIRL
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Q&A with Halina Reijn immediately following.
Written and Directed by Halina Reijn

Saturday, December 21, 5:30 p.m.
Screening: THE FIRE INSIDE
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Written by Barry Jenkins

Sunday, December 22, 11:00 a.m.
Screening: MUFASA: THE LION KING
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Screenplay by Jeff Nathanson
Family Matinee: Members may bring up to 3 guests (ages 3 and up) to this screening.

Sunday, December 22, 2:00 p.m.
Screening: ALBANY ROAD
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Q&A with Christine Swanson immediately following.
Written and Directed by Christine Swanson

Sunday, December 22, 5:30 p.m.
Screening: BETTER MAN
Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211
Written by Simon Gleeson, Oliver Cole, Michael Gracey