2004 workshop


	This Year’s Chesterfield WFP Workshop

		The six Chesterfield fellows started their workshop year on December 9, 2003. The first eight weeks of the workshop are spent developing story ideas, reading and analyzing produced screenplays, meeting with Paramount executives and screenwriting mentors, and discussing writing and filmmaking with guest speakers. So far, the fellows have sat around our conference table with Jerry Zucker (“Ghost”, “Airplane”), Nicholas Kazan (“Reversal of Fortune”), Steven Zaillian (“Gangs of New York”), Bruce Joel Rubin (“Ghost”), Tom Schulman (“Dead Poets Society”), Daniel Pyne (“Sum Of All Fears”), Robin Swicord (“Little Women,” “Practical Magic”), Scott Alexander and Larry Karazewski (“People Vs. Larry Flynt”, “Man On The Moon”), literary agent Judi Farkas, and former Paramount Senior VP Chip Diggins.. In recent workshops, the writers have been critiquing their outlines for the first screenplay. They have also received extensive notes from their writing mentors and Paramount executives and are starting to write their first drafts. For a look at last year’s workshop, click here.




	Steven Zaillian (“Gangs of New York”) discusses researching true-life stories.


	"Writing can be so isolating at times, I feel lucky to be able to have a group of peers with whom to share my screenwriting hopes and fears. This aspect, along with having some of the top writers in the field come in with their notes and say, ‘This is how I do it,’ is invaluable. To be able to peruse Steve Zallian's hand-written outlines for Schindler's List and ask him questions about them was a writing geek's high"

		-- Sandi


	"Chesterfield rocks my world! The great thing about the Chesterfield fellowship is the tons of industry support that's provided to help pave the way to your becoming a professional, working screenwriter. The workshop support, the mentors, the candid guest speakers: they're all fantastic.
		-- Prince




	Larry Karazewski and Scott Alexander (“Man On The Moon”) discuss writing as a team.




		Bruce Joel Rubin (“Ghost”) talks about his process of outlining a screenplay.


	"And let's not forget the little things: shaking the hands of Academy Award-winning screenwriters, chatting with agents who've closed jaw-dropping deals, and driving through the gates of the Paramount lot for your first executive meeting. And at the end of the fellowship year, Chesterfield is really invested in getting you repped and sold. There's no other program like it, and that's why it remains one of the most prestigious prizes in the industry.

		-- Prince




	Producer Michael Nozik (“The Motorcycle Diaries”)

			"My favorite part of the workshop is working with the other writers. They're all talented, intelligent and funny and we're all learning the ropes together. A certain magic and a safe environment is somehow created, and eventually you can't wait to bring in your ideas and get immediate feedback.

				-- Sandi




	Emmy Award winning writer-director Henry Brommell (“Homicide: Life On The Streets”)



	Literary agent Judi Farkas




		Dan Pyne (“Sum of All Fears”) talks about updating “The Manchurian Candidate” for Denzel Washington and producer Scott Rudin.


	"Chesterfield is Hollywood's benevolent boot camp: In a few short weeks, we are privy to A-list screenwriters, producers, and directors, all while hammering out our own treatments and outlines, sharing our ideas with each other, and gearing up for the real work of writing our screenplays.”.

		-- John


	"The program really helped me find the right idea to write, and to make it the best script it can be. When it goes out at the end of the year, I’m confident I’ll be showing my best face to Paramount and the Hollywood community..”.

		-- Christine




	The 2004 fellows hiked to Inspiration Point. Back row from left to right: WFP director Ed Rugoff, Sandi G., Prince G., Alex P.; front row Christine D. and Charles B. John M. missed the hike, but promises to make the next one.




		Writer Nick Kazan (“Enough”) gives his insights on creating suspense..


	"The Chesterfield strikes the perfect balance between creative collaboration and creative freedom. We have a chance to share our ideas, hone our treatments, and benefit from the advice of a fantastic mix of guest speakers and personal mentors. The group dynamic is perfect.
		-- Alex


	"The Chesterfield workshops have been an incredibly supportive environment where writers come together to work step-by-step through the creation and completion of a script, from concept to treatment, from writing to rewriting.”.

		-- Charles




	Tom Schulman (“Dead Poets Society”) shares his thoughts on comic protagonists and antagonists..