“Anatomy of a Script” Collection

Title: “Anatomy of a Script” Collection

Dates: 2006-2012

Collection Number: WGF—IA—002

Creator/Collector: The Writers Guild Foundation

Extent: 1 linear foot; 23 DVDs; 10 digital recordings

Repository: Writers Guild Foundation Archive

Abstract: The “Anatomy of a Script” Collection consists of video-recordings and curriculum materials for the “Anatomy of a Script” seminar series, presented by the Writers Guild Foundation from 2006 to 2012. In each seminar a screenwriter speaks about the writing process, dissects a script, and discusses the journey from page to screen. Speakers and their respective subjects include Shonda Rhimes (GREY’S ANATOMY), Matthew Weiner (MAD MEN), Vince Gilligan (BREAKING BAD), Callie Khouri (THELMA & LOUISE), Jenji Kohan (WEEDS), Larry Wilmore (THE BERNIE MAC SHOW), Nancy Meyers (SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE), and Marta Kauffman and David Crane (FRIENDS). Select seminars are available to view on the Writers Guild Foundation’s YouTube channel.

Language of Material: English

Access to this collection is unrestricted.

[Identification of item]. “Anatomy of a Script” Collection . Collection Number: WGF—IA—002. Writers Guild Foundation Archive

The series was produced by the Writers Guild Foundation between the years 2006 and 2012 and is part of the institutional archive.

The nonprofit Writers Guild Foundation was founded in 1966 by a group of prestigious film and television writers with a mission to promote excellence and visibility in the craft of screenwriting and honor and preserve the work of the past. In reaching these goals, the WGF operates the Shavelson-Webb Library and Archive and hosts speaker events, conferences, and mentorship programs to support the next generation of emerging writers.

“Anatomy of a Script” is a series of writing seminars created and hosted by the Writers Guild Foundation from 2006 to 2012. In each seminar a screenwriter speaks about their writing process, dissects a script, and discusses the journey from page to screen. The collection is comprised of 33 video-recorded seminars (23 DVDs; 10 digital recordings) featuring 38 writers, as well as supplementary curriculum materials including notes, outlines, beat sheets, treatments, pilots, pitches, and scripts. A selection of seminars can also be viewed on the WGF’s YouTube channel, under the “Anatomy of a Script” playlist. The series is hosted by Robin Schiff and Winnie Holzman. Speakers and their projects include: Liz Brixius (2012, NURSE JACKIE), Glenn Gordon Caron (2011, MEDIUM), Michael Colleary (2011, FACE/OFF), David Crane (2011, FRIENDS), James Duff (2008, THE CLOSER), Stephen Gaghan (2008, TRAFFIC), Russell Gewirtz (2012, INSIDE MAN), Vince Gilligan (2010, BREAKING BAD), Debra Granik (2011, WINTER’S BONE), Susannah Grant (2006, IN HER SHOES), Marshall Herskovitz (2006, ONCE AND AGAIN), Nicole Holofcener (2008, WALKING AND TALKING), Winnie Holzman (2006, MY SO-CALLED LIFE) Laeta Kalogridis (2010, SHUTTER ISLAND), Jason Katims (2008, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS), Marta Kauffman (2011, FRIENDS), Callie Khouri (2010, THELMA & LOUISE), Michael Patrick King (2012, THE COMEBACK), Jenji Kohan (2008, WEEDS), Lisa Kudrow (2012, THE COMEBACK), Steve Levitan (2011, MODERN FAMILY), Nancy Meyers (2010, SOMETHING’S GOTTA GIVE), Nancy Oliver (2008, LARS AND THE REAL GIRL), Rhett Reese (2010, ZOMBIELAND), Shonda Rhimes (2008, GREY’S ANATOMY) Don Roos (2008, SINGLE WHITE FEMALE; 2006, HAPPY ENDINGS), Bruce Joel Rubin (2008, GHOST), Robin Schiff (2006, ROMY AND MICHELE’S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION), Tom Schulman (2006, WHAT ABOUT BOB?), James Vanderbilt (2008, ZODIAC), Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (2012, THE LIVES OF OTHERS), Linda Wallem (2012, NURSE JACKIE), Matthew Weiner (2010, MAD MEN), Audrey Wells (2006, UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN), Mike Werb (2011, FACE/OFF), Paul Wernick (2010, ZOMBIELAND), Mike White (2012, ENLIGHTENED), and Larry Wilmore (2008, THE BERNIE MAC SHOW). Class materials vary by session and writer. Materials are available for the following projects: THE BERNIE MAC SHOW, BIG FISH, THE COMEBACK, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, FRIENDS, GHOST, GREY’S ANATOMY, HAPPY ENDINGS, IN HER SHOES, MY SO-CALLED LIFE, NOWHERELAND, ONCE AND AGAIN, ROMY AND MICHELE’S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, ZODIAC and ZOMBIELAND.