Dream Weekend Designed for Aspiring Screenwriters and Playwrights

Ojai, CA (February 25, 2011) Ojai has been attracting authors and writers to its mountain valley for centuries. Its newest attraction, WordFest-a nexus of diverse reading and writing events held over nine days in March-is announcing the latest addition to its robust lineup: a VIP ‘Stage & Screen’ Writers Package.

Held the last weekend of Ojai WordFest (Friday-Sunday, March 25-27) and presented by Ojai Writers Conference, the exclusive weekend symposium is for writers-beginners & advanced-who want to make their mark in “Hollywood” or have a career in the entertainment industry and are ready to take their writing to the next level.

Writers will enjoy three days of “Literary Decadence” from developing their craft under the skillful guidance of some of the world’s most distinguished writing teachers to VIP tickets to a celebrity-studded theatrical performance to a private salon held in the home of Hollywood’s #1 Script Consultant.

Highlights of the exclusive VIP writers weekend package include:

Three days of writing classes-focused on creating material for screen and stage-taught by internationally distinguished writing experts: Ellen Sandler, Emmy-nominated Co-Executive Producer of Everybody Loves Raymond, playwright and author of The TV Writer’s Workbook (UCLA, USC and NYU film schools’ textbook); Dara Marks, PhD, author of Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational Arc and leading international script consultant whose unique method of story analysis has earned her top ratings by Creative Screenwriting Magazine as the best consultant in the business; and renowned writing teacher, playwright and Artistic Director of Theater 150 in Ojai, Deb Norton.

Special screening of the award-winning short film, Angel Passing, starring Hume Cronyn, Calista Flockhart and Teresa Wright, followed by a Q&A with the film’s screenwriter and award-winning playwright, Catherine Ann Jones.

A luncheon with international best-selling authors and Ojai residents: Byron Katie, founder of The Work; David Allen, widely recognized as the world’s leading authority on personal and organizational productivity whom Forbes’ recognized as one of the top five executive coaches in the United States; and Jacqueline Winspear, a mystery novelist whose Maisie Dobbs series is a New York Times best-seller. The exclusive luncheon will be held at The Ranch House-Ojai’s world famous fine dining establishment Paul Newman called “the best restaurant in the world.” A favorite among the lights of the literary and entertainment world, the restaurant is regarded to have one of the finest wine lists on the planet and was featured on Food Network as the “top pick in the nation” by a master chef.

The apex of the weekend’s activities includes a private salon at the home of Hollywood’s top script guru, Dara Marks, who along with writing teaching expert Deb Norton, will guide students to explore the power of mythology and archetypes in order to write richer stories.

The VIP experience will end outdoors in a garden setting with hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine, and a champagne toast to Ojai’s legendary ‘pink moment’ sunset.

Dubbed the “WriteFest of WordFest,” writers in the VIP weekend program can focus on their craft by day and enjoy numerous literary festivities in the evenings. Literary events during the last three days of WordFest include: a ‘Lit Crawl’ in the historic downtown arcade of Ojai; Dessert Bar & Scrabble? night; the opening night of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple (a female version) at Ojai’s Art Center; Well Red – a “writers & wine pairing” featuring red wines and authors with new works, and many more.

Tickets for the VIP Package are limited and this event is expected to sell out. For a list of available writing classes, more information or to make a reservation for the VIP Stage & Screen Writers Package, visit http://www.ojaiwritersconference.com or call (805) 669-7373.