Frequently Asked Questions

I.  Login and RSVP Questions:

1) How do I get login information?

Login information is only available to members who have paid their $120 annual membership fee ($90 annually for Military, Student or Seniors). Guests and visitors will not have a username or password. If you recently purchased a membership, it can take up to two business days for your login information to be added to our system. We thank you for your patience.

If you are a member and more than two business days have passed since you purchased your membership, your username is the email address you used to purchase the membership. If you do not know your password, you can have it emailed to you by clicking on the “lost my password” link on our login page. It will be emailed to you within a few minutes. Please check your spam folder for this email.

If you are unable to retrieve your password using this method, please contact us for more troubleshooting options. To expedite the process, please include a copy of your Paypal receipt, the date you purchased your membership, or a copy of the front and back of your membership card to confirm your membership.

2) I don’t know my username or password. How do I retrieve that information?

If you do not know your password, you can have it emailed to you by clicking on the “lost my password” link on our login page. It will be emailed to you within a few minutes; please check your spam folder for this email.

If you are unable to retrieve your password using this method,  contact us for more troubleshooting options. To expedite the process,  include a copy of your Paypal receipt, the date you purchased your membership, or a copy of the front and back of your membership card to confirm your membership.

3) Which RSVP option should I use?

Our Speaker and Seminar events each have three RSVP options, depending on your standing within SWN. The options are as follows:

• Members RSVP (for members only). This option can only be accessed while logged in. If you use this option, please be prepared to show your membership card at the door during the event.
• Guests RSVP (for guests). We ask guests to pay the entrance fee of $30 online in order to expedite the check-in process at the door. Clicking this button will redirect you to the RSVP page, on which you can pay as a guest through PayPal. PayPal will accept payments even if you do not have a PayPal account.
• Discount code users (for discount codes given through our partners).  We ask guests to pay the discount entrance fee online in order to expedite the check-in process at the door. Clicking this button will redirect you to the RSVP page, on which you can pay as a guest through PayPal. PayPal will accept payments even if you do not have a PayPal account. Enter the discount code upon request during the RSVP process.

4) I missed the deadline to RSVP online. Can I still RSVP some other way?

Unfortunately, the deadline is in place due to security needs for the studio lots that host our events. We cannot add anyone to our gate list after the Thursday 10:00 PM deadline.

5) Can I attend the event without RSVPing?

The RSVP list is necessary to ensure that all attendees can pass through security to get onto the studio lot for our event. Those who do not RSVP will not be able to get onto the studio lot for the event.  These are the rules of the studios.

6) I RSVPed for an event and changed my mind. Can I un-RSVP?

If you RSVP for an event that you cannot attend,  contact us before 10:00 PM on the Thursday preceding the event to ensure that we can remove you from the RSVP list.

As some events have caps on the number of people who can attend, we request that you remove yourself from the RSVP list if you cannot attend to ensure this spot is available for another guest. If you RSVP and do not attend, you may be bumped from future events.

7) I don’t have a Paypal account. Can I still use the SWN website?

Currently, all of SWN’s online monetary transactions come through Paypal. However, Paypal has a “pay as guest” option that will allow you to pay directly from your credit card without having a Paypal account. You can use this option for all of SWN’s monetary transactions.

II.  Membership Questions:

1) What are the benefits of being a member?

SWN members can attend our events for free (guests must pay $30 online). In addition, there are several members-only events over the course of the year that are reserved just for members.

Our members-only section also has exclusive content such as videos of past panel discussions, write-ups from past events, photos, screenwriting tips, exclusive deals, and more. SWN members get a special lower entry fee for our programs such as HOP, TOP, and the High Concept Screenplay competition.

2) How do I become a member?

There are three ways to become a member with SWN. You can purchase a year-long membership for $120 ($90 for Seniors, Students and Military) via Paypal here. We also have drawings in which you can enter to win a year-long membership. You can also volunteer with SWN, and receive a free membership after volunteering for a minimum of three months and remaining in good standing.

3) Are there any requirements to become a member?

Anyone can become a member. SWN is designed to serve writers at all stages of their careers: whether you’re writing your first script or your hundredth script.

4) I’m a member but want to bring a non-member guest.  Do they have to pay?

While events are free to all members, guests must pay $30 in advance to attend.

5) Do I have to be a member to participate in SWN programs?

Besides our members-only events, guests are invited to participate in any of our programs, such as submitting scripts for HOP, TOP, and the High Concept Screenwriting Competition, and attending our Pitch Boot Camp, and Speaker events. Guests will need to pay higher entry fees than members typically do. More information is available on each program’s page.

III.  Volunteer Questions:

1) What volunteer positions are available?

Our available positions vary, but you can see the most up-to-date postings here.

2) What are the benefits of volunteering?

Volunteers receive a free membership and free admission to all SWN events. Volunteers also receive one free entry into HOP or TOP, or one free staged reading per calendar year. To qualify for these benefits, a volunteer must be in good standing for a minimum of three consecutive months.

3) What qualifications do volunteers need?

All volunteer applicants must submit a professional resume for the position sought. The qualifications vary according to the position, but are listed here.

4) Can I make money working for SWN?

At this time, SWN is a volunteer-only organization. All positions, including board positions, are unpaid.

5) I don’t have the time to volunteer.  How else can I keep touch with Scriptwriters Network?

Remember to sign up for our newsletter, and help us to promote our upcoming events and programs on your Facebook, Twitter Feed, and other personal social networking sites.

6) How do I get involved?

To apply for a volunteer position, please visit our volunteer opportunities page to see what positions we have available and what qualifications we seek. You can then submit your resume for any positions that you are interested in for which you think you qualify.

IV.  HOP, TOP, and High Concept Questions:

1) What do HOP and TOP stand for?

HOP stands for Hollywood Outreach Program and TOP stands for Television Outreach Program. HOP is our script coverage service for feature scripts, and TOP is our script coverage service for television scripts.

2) When is the deadline?

The deadline for HOP is the third Saturday of January, May, and September.

The deadline for TOP and the High Concept Screenplay Contest will be announced at the start of each session.  Please check back to each page for more information.

V.  General Info:

1) What is Scriptwriters Network?

The Scriptwriters Network, founded in 1986, is an educational, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer-driven organization created by writers for writers and industry professionals.

The Network serves its members by providing educational programming, enhancing their awareness of the realities of the business, developing access and opportunity through alliances with industry professionals, and furthering the cause and quality of writing in the entertainment industry.

You can learn more about us here.

2) What does SWN stand for?

SWN stands for ScriptWriters Network, and is the acronym we use to refer to ourselves.

3) What benefits can I get from being involved with Scriptwriters Network?

SWN provides all sorts of networking opportunities for aspiring and working writers to connect with other writers, as well as producers, agents, directors, and other creative professionals who attend our events.

Besides our networking events, SWN also offers the High Concept Screenwriting Competition, HOP, TOP, Pitch Boot Camps, Writers Groups, and more! Feel free to explore our website to learn more about all that we offer.

4) Can I suggest speakers for upcoming events?

Yes!  Please send all speaker suggestions to [email protected] or fill in your suggestions in the appropriate section on the feedback forms we distribute at every event.

5) Can SWN set me up with an agent, producer, production company, etc., or will SWN finance or produce my script?

We cannot accept unsolicited materials, nor do we make recommendations of unsolicited materials or their writers, or connect writers to unsolicited projects.  We cannot finance or produce any materials, solicited or unsolicited, nor do we make connections or recommendations to agents, producers, production companies, etc.

We only accept written, completed scripts and these scripts must come through our organizational programs that we fully support, which are our HOP, TOP, and the High Concept Screenplay Competition.  The scripts must meet ALL our rules and regulations.

Disclaimer: Participation in SWN events, programs, workshops and classes is not a promise or guarantee of employment, and, is intended for educational and networking purposes only.