Writers from the 2018 Screenwriters Lab share their thoughts on how they find inspiration and sustain themselves financially, emotionally, and creatively.

Key Insights

Live within your means and find work to support your long-term ambitions, but always continue to write.
Embrace the short form –– short films help develop and hone filmmaking skills, style, and approach to visual storytelling.
Join a writers group to give and receive feedback, but make sure it’s a respectful, like-minded, creative community.
Trust your instincts and focus on writing stories that you’re passionate about.

Beth de Araújo

Screenwriter

Beth de Araújo is a writer and director featured in Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film. Her feature screenplay, JOSEPHINE, participated in the 2018 Sundance Directors Lab, Screenwriters Lab and is a recipient of the SFFILM Rainin Filmmaking Grant. JOSEPHINE is being produced by RT Features (CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, THE WITCH). more...

Suzanne Andrews Correa

Screenwriter

Suzanne Andrews Correa is a Mexican American screenwriter and director. A recent graduate of the Film Program at Columbia University (MFA), she has worked in the industry for almost a decade as a member of IATSE. more...

Eimi Imanishi

Screenwriter

Eimi Imanishi is a Japanese American filmmaker who grew up in France. She earned her BFA from the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London, where she majored in sculpture. more...

Christos Massalas

Screenwriter

Born in Greece, Christos Massalas is a graduate of the London Film School. His short films have received awards from around the world and have screened at international film festivals including Cannes, New Directors/New Films, Locarno, AFI Fest, Guanajuato and BFI, among others. more...