The Writers Room

Since 1974, Humanitas has honored and empowered screenwriters whose work explores the human condition in a nuanced, meaningful way. We champion screenwriting projects that explore the human condition, as we believe the act of acknowledging our common humanity can be transformational for audiences. A strong desire to identify and nurture new generations of screenwriters dates back to Humanitas’s founding and led to the creation of annual programs like the New Voices Fellowship, College Screenwriting Awards, and Industry 101. 

Thanks to generous support from The Muriel Pollia Foundation, Humanitas is continuing The Writers Room, a TV writing workshop for high school students. The Writers Room offers students an introduction to TV writing and the opportunity to act as the “staff” of a TV “writers room,” working together to pitch, outline, and draft a teleplay of a pre-existing series. The Writers Room Workshop concludes with a table read in front of an audience. The 2024-25 Writers Room is offered in person at Hollywood High School throughout the school year. 

THE WRITERS ROOM 2024-25

This fall, The Writers Room kicks off with a mix of workshops taught by our teaching artist (Spiro Skentzos) and a 5-part speaker series featuring a host of visitors exploring topics that relate to voice, structure, and character. In the spring, the TV-writing workshop offers students an introduction to TV writing and the opportunity to act as the “staff” of a TV “writers room,” working together to pitch, outline, and draft a teleplay of a pre-existing series. The Writers Room Workshop concludes with a table read in front of an audience. 

THE WRITERS ROOM SPEAKER SERIES

The Writers Room kicks off with a 5-part Speaker Series supported by a number of partner organizations and featuring a host of visitors exploring topics that relate to voice, screenwriting, and the entertainment industry. Speaker partners include Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), The Writing Pad, UCLA Extension, Young Storytellers, and Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity (TTIE). 

THE WRITERS ROOM WORKSHOP

In addition to writing instruction, this collaborative, creative process offers students the unique opportunity to practice interpersonal communication, compromise, teamwork, active listening, conflict resolution skills, and the ability to receive feedback and offer constructive criticism.

A final table read serves as the culminating event. The event may include special guests, pending scheduling and availability.

Spiro Skentzos

Growing up speaking Spanish, Greek and English at home, Spiro developed an early interest in language, which inspired him to write. His first foray into screenwriting was as a young boy, writing scripts for his Star Wars figures, where they battled his sister’s giant, menacing Barbie dolls—and he’s been writing ever since. 

He won Best Original Screenplay at the Ohio Independent Film Festival for his first feature script. The prize money was enough to cover one month’s rent at the time, and more importantly encouraged him to keep writing. 

His professional TV writing career began in comedy, writing episodes of ABC’s George Lopez; then he co-created and co-wrote the animated sci-fi/zombie web series Chadam, a cult-fav based on the eponymous character. He’s a graduate of The NHMC Writing Program, the PGA’s Power of Diversity Program, and NBC’s Writers on the Verge Program, which ultimately opened the door for him to spend two seasons writing and producing on NBC’s Grimm. In addition, he’s written on the CW’s Arrow—and sold three pilots. He’s currently developing projects for producers.

To help inspire the next generation of writers, Spiro created and produces the “Intro to TV Writing” panel at San Diego’s Comic-Con, currently in its twelfth year.