Actor/Comedian Nestor Rodriquez

I have participated in WGF screenwriting workshops for over a year and I cannot express how gratifying it is to be able to offer the student's a visual manifestation of their screenplays. I am always amazed at the capacity for honesty and how they often write their screenplays with so much humor considering where most of them come from!
The reward for me is immense because I get to experience the laughter, the joy and the hope that the students receive. I intend on participating in these workshops as long as I can and encourage anyone who wants to receive more than they give to partake and offer hope to our future.


Nestor Rodriguez
www.nestorious.com

Actor/Director Dave Romano

This was my first workshop with the WGF. I was so impressed with the level of writing and with the integrity of the staff. I could see the feeling of accomplishment on the young faces of the students when their words were spoken. For me, it doesn't get much better than that. Anytime any of us can enrich a young mind we are doing exactly what we are supposed to be doing. I am already telling many of my fellow actors about my experience and many of them want to participate. Keep up the good work and thank you for inviting me to be a part of this program.

Dave Romano

Actor/Writer Nicole Gabriella Scipione

This Writers Guild Foundation Program is vital for a host of reasons, in this actor/writer's opinion. The beautiful but agonizing gift of handing your work to strangers to cold read, and realizing that some things you thought were clear are not, as an adult actor completely botches some slang you wrote, or doesn't speak in the rhythms you imagine, is a real life necessity for the student writers. As an actor-writer, part of the deal is giving it away, eventually, so this program is a little semi-safe womb to practice giving your work to others. Conversely, the students get to see their story affecting other students (and us, the actors!) to laughter or sorrow; they might have not believed a stranger would love their script unless they witnessed it. The stories break my heart! They write tales of parental neglect, an uncaring social system, peer pressure, and stories of hope, and WIT. I heard an amazingly funny, endearing, and well shaped script - "Played" by Cameron Brown at LACES - with a real live twist at the end. I'm certain this program is an awesome creative writing class for every single participant, at the least, and to many, is a significant inspiration in the lives of our future generation of writers.

Nicole Gabriella Scipione

Actress - Stefany Northcutt

"When I leave the workshop I always feel so fulfilled. It's a feeling I would love to say happens at the end of every performance of mine, however, that would be a lie. It's rare. I'm unsure of the specific reason on why I'm so fulfilled by the experience so, I'll just go down the list of things that I love about being a part of the workshop: when the magic of 'getting into' the scene I'm acting begins to happen & It's the first time I've even read the scene...it's THAT cold, reminds me there's still magic in me & revives my confidence in my self as an actress; how the kids receive their applause for writing their script when they stand & the blush begins to cross their face; the brightness in their eyes; the stories from their imaginations or life are really THAT good; their laughter; the opportunity to perform a wide range of diverse characters; meeting new people; seeing Adam & Kendell again; watching Adam & Kendell in their 'element'. It's very clear to me that Adam & Kendall genuinely love doing the workshop and are sincerely happy to see the scripts come alive. Whatever the reason or reasons, I love being a part of it and hope to be a part of it for a long time!"

www.stefanynorthcutt.com

Quotes from Academy of Recording Arts, Hawthorne

“I was initially nervous that writing a screenplay in two weeks would be a daunting task, yet my students were motivated by Monique’s level of expertise and high expectations.” - Nimat Jones, English Advisor

“As an educator I was impressed by Monique’s ability to enhance the traditional English curriculum through screenwriting, and to build a positive community within the classroom and school by encouraging students to share their work and by bringing professional actors to perform the students’ scripts.” - Nimat Jones, English Advisor

“I thought the program was fun and educational.” – Carina Meza, Student

“The program showed me something new. Now I want to write and direct my own films.” - Travon Clark, Student

“After I completed the program, I constantly thought about how t.v. shows and movies are made. Now I am very interested in a career in cinematography.” - Nnaji Singleton, Student

“As a film teacher at the Academy of Recording Arts I found the program to supplement my own lesson plans. The program provided our students with the fundamentals of screenwriting within a matter of weeks. We need more effective programs such as this.”
- Jewel Love, Director of Film Production