INDUSTRY 101 EVENT SERIES
The Industry 101 series introduces topics that are foundational to understanding and launching television and film writing careers. Join Humanitas for free online workshops inspired by components of the New Voices Fellowship.
Since beginning the Industry 101 event series in 2022, we have had over 10,330 registrants with over 7,840 attending as guests across 36 events featuring a combined 112 speakers. Guests from Los Angeles County, states across the US, as well as Singapore, Chile, Bolivia, Germany, Spain, Brazil, Switzerland, Taiwan, the Netherlands, and the Philippines have joined.
Humanitas's Industry 101 event series is made possible with support from our series sponsor Sony Pictures Entertainment. American Sign Language interpretation services will be provided by Pro Bono ASL.
All Industry 101 events are free and open to the public on Zoom, unless otherwise noted. These one night only events are not recorded and will not be shared later, so join us for just one or all events–sign ups are live!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Personal Branding 101
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | 5-6:30 PM PT | Online
In this discussion, we’ll discuss pitching and marketing yourself, necessary materials to prepare, and potential media training (including social media), with the ultimate goal of gaining representation.
Application Season 101
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | 5-6:30 PM PT | Online
We’ll walk you through creating a calendar, budgeting, vetting programs, and more in this informational session, featuring Humanitas’s own New Voices Fellowship and College Screenwriting Awards manager, Daniel Plagens.
Break Into TV Writing
On Campus at Santa Monica College
Monday, March 9, 2026 | 6-7:30 PM PT | SMC
A panel featuring writers, assistants, PAs, and script coordinators with a focus on entry-level pathways and “how I actually got in.” Join us for this practical and concise discussion.
Mentorship 101
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 | 5-6:30 PM PT | Online
Whether you're trying to land your first assistant job or figure out how to turn coffee into real mentorship, we'll give you the specific moves that work and the mistakes that sink you.
SMC Intensive: Writers Rooms 101
On Campus at Santa Monica College
May 2026 | TBD | SMC
A single-day course where students learn how a writer's room actually functions, run quick improv “yes, and” drills, break a story together, and draft a beat sheet. It’s basically a micro-version of The Writers Room.
Legal 101
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 | 5-6:30 PM PT | Online
In this discussion, Greenberg Glusker staff will discuss the current state of the industry, featuring your questions and the implications of certain mergers and acquisitions, as well as evergreen topics such as when and how to engage a lawyer, AI, and IP.
Writers Rooms 101
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 5-6:30 PM PT | Online
Last year, we talked about the various entry-level roles within a writers room. Next up, we’ll take you further into the Writers Room: breaking a story, writing dialogue, executing someone else’s vision, and more.
Financing 101
Wednesday, July 29, 2026 | 5-6:30 PM PT | Online
We’ll speak with a group of filmmakers about budgeting, financing, crowdfunding, and other advice for first time short filmmakers.
Animation 101
Aug 2026 | 5-6:30 PM PT | Online
Thinking about a career in animation, but unsure where to begin? We’ll discuss opportunities that exist to help get your foot in the door, writing for animation v. live-action, a quick run-down of the Animation Guild, and more.
Gaming 101
Fall 2026 | 5-6:30 PM PT | Online
Video games and podcasts are two formats that continue to dominate popular culture. We’ll discuss narrative structure in gaming and podcasting, successful adaptations, and ways to get started.
Adaptation 101
Fall 2026 | 5-6:30 PM PT | Online
Following up from our popular session in 2024, this conversation will further delve into what adapting from a source material to a screenplay entails, from the craft-centric to the very practical details.
Showrunning 101
Fall 2026 | 5-6:30 PM PT | Online
Showrunning can sometimes be a staff writer’s ultimate career goal. But what does it actually mean to be a showrunner? We’ll ask TV showrunners about their roles both in the writers room and on set, and the leadership and other skills it takes to be a successful one.
INDUSTRY 101 RESOURCE COLLECTION
As a part of Industry 101, Humanitas has collected a series of resources discussed across Industry 101 events since 2022. The list includes screenwriting websites, books, podcasts, and more!
SERIES SPONSOR
Humanitas's Industry 101 event series is made possible with support from our series sponsor Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Industry 101 is also supported in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency; the Snap Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization;
and individual donations.
EVENT PARTNERS
ADDITIONAL PANELISTS AND PARTNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED!
COMMUNITY SPONSOR
ASL INTERPRETATION SERVICES
HUMANITAS COMMUNITY VALUES STATEMENT
Achieving the mission of Humanitas requires an environment of trust, mutual respect, free expression, and inquiry. Community members ought to integrate these values into their experience with Humanitas, whether in workshop discussions or engaging in Industry 101 chat rooms. Through a collective commitment to these beliefs, we can create an environment in which we can strive to achieve our full potential as writers. Being disruptive or otherwise failing to carry out these values may result in removal from events.
