Where are NWSG events held?
Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at:
Clear Channel Building
351 Elliott Ave West
Seattle, WA 98119
We're near the Seattle Waterfront.
This is a secure building, so you must
be let in by an NWSG gatekeeper.
What are some good routes to take on busy traffic days?
(game days, concerts at Key Arena, boating season, etc.)
From the North: Head South on 15th Ave NW. It's a straight shot through Ballard, Interbay, and plops you right at Clear Channel. The only trick is if there are boats going through the Ballard Locks, you may sit in traffic while the bridge is up.
- OR - 99S, Take Broad St Exit, Right on Western, Continue on Elliott Ave W.
From the East: Try to avoid 520. You can take 90W.
From the South: A quick route on non-game days is to take a Right on Alaskan, which becomes Broad, take a Left on Western, which becomes Elliot.
From the West: Take a ferry, hovercraft, helicopter, sailboat, jetski, or swim. That's it!
Where can I park?
The NWSG has use of the CTI Lot, one block north of the Clear Channel Bldg. We won't get towed, but use at your own risk with regard to your personal belongings and the state of your vehicle.
There is also some street parking available on Elliot Ave, depending on road work/construction.
What is the fee for events?
Monthly Meetings:
- Free for NWSG Members
- $10 for Members of Partner Film Orgs
- $15 for General Public
You must pay the full entrance fee or join/renew as a member either before or at Friday's meetings.
If you try to sneak in without paying, we reserve the right to remove you from the premises. No exceptions, partial payments, IOUs, etc.
Payments can be made online via PayPal, check, or cash.
Workshops:
Pricing for workshops vary, usually between $0 and $150 for NWSG Members.
Non-Members pay a higher price.
Payments can be made online via PayPal, check, or cash.
What is the meeting format?
We open the doors @ 6:45PM
You will need to sign in at the front desk. We have over 100 active members, so please give your full name. Our volunteers do not know everyone yet. If you are a former member who needs to renew membership, this is the best time to do so. In order to efficiently check people in, we only keep a list of current, active, paid-up members at the sign-in area, so please be patient and don't take it personally if you're not on the list.
This is a secure building, so we have a gatekeeper who must let you in.
Please try to arrive before 7:30PM, or you may not be able to participate.
If you try to sneak in without paying, we reserve the right to remove you from the premises. Guests/spouses/parole officers must pay the entry fee ($10/$15).
Informal schmooze @ 7PM
Formal meeting from 7:30-9:30PM
Meetings generally consist of an Interview or Presentation by the Guest Speaker, followed by a Q&A session.
There is usually a break halfway through the meeting.
How do you choose your speakers/guests?
Referals from past guests, reaching out to production companies and agencies, meeting people at screenwriting conferences, friends, and friends of friends.
It can take anywhere from one day to two years to land a speaker/guest, depending on their availability, our calendar, whether they're in production, etc.
We try to balance our slate of events in order to provide the most in-depth information about screenwriting and the film industry in the Northwest. Our slate includes: screenwriting instructors/authors, scipt doctors/consultants, production company executives, agents, managers, working screenwriters, TV writers/producers/story editors, actors, directors, producers, and attorneys.
What is the format for Pitch Sessions?
Compendium Pitch Sessions/Consultations are usually private, one-on-one sessions between you and one or two Hollywood professionals.
You must be a full paid-up Compendium Member before you sign up at the Friday meeting. There are no exceptions.
Sessions may last between 3 and 10 minutes long, but are usually slotted for 5-7 minutes. The time allotted usually consists of a quick introduction of yourself, your pitch, and feedback from the guest(s). A Board Member will come in give you a "one minute left" signal and will return at the end the meeting.
Remember, if the guest gives you comments, interrupts you, or has questions, this is a good thing. Go with the flow and don't try to force them back onto your pitch. For some great help, check out our books resources under pitching, especially GOOD IN A ROOM by Stephanie Palmer.
Some companies require that you sign a standard submission agreement, which is a formality when unsolicited materials and pitches are presented to entertainment companies. This needs to be signed prior to your pitch meeting.
Increasingly, our guests are taking a one-sheet/leave-behind, which is one page, consisting of the title of your movie, the logline, a synopsis, and your contact information. Business cards are also a good idea to bring, but will not always be asked for.
NOTE: If you are late for your pitch meeting, you may be bumped to the end of the list. In this case, we do not guarantee that you will have an opportunity to pitch at all. This will be at the discretion of the guests and NWSG Board Members present.
Where can I grab a bite to eat nearby?
We are close to the Queen Anne and Belltown neighborhoods, where there are many places to eat and drink. We often eat at The Shack, directly across from the building.