Rocio Gutierrez Camargo
Contributing Writer
From April 11 to 13, creativity and collaboration came to life at the UC Santa Barbara’s (UCSB) Department of Film and Media Studies, as the student club Writer’s Room hosted Word Farm, a screenwriting convention featuring workshops and Q&A sessions with industry professionals.
The event served as an opportunity for aspiring screenwriters to connect with experts in the field, ask questions about the industry, and refine their craft through tips, feedback, and suggestions — all in a supportive, student-led environment.
Held at the Social Sciences and Media Studies building, students gathered for a Q&A session with “Veep” showrunner David Mandel on the first day, who shared insights on writing successful comedy. “Jokes shouldn’t be explained,” said Mandel, emphasizing that strong humor stands on its own.
Mandel, an Emmy-winning writer, also discussed writers’ rooms for television and the importance of collaboration in developing a strong script. He advised students interested in comedy writing to “pitch jokes … participate, and be active.”
Toward the end of the session, Writer’s Room Co-President Chiara Drayson asked Mandel about his passion for collecting film props. Mandel smiled and said, “I like to have a piece of the films I love,” offering a personal glimpse into how he connects with cinema. Among the more notable items in his collection is the iconic hat from the 2003 film “The Cat in the Hat,” which he co-wrote.
The first day of the convention concluded with a talk on subtext in storytelling, given by UCSB professor and screenwriter Wendy Jackson The session focused on how to enhance scripts — especially for television — by adding emotional depth and nuance. “Subtext adds layers of intrigue,” said Jackson, advising attendees on how to evoke tension and mystery through storytelling.
Friday offered attendees a preview of the days ahead: a weekend full of productivity and a deep dive into the art of writing.
On April 12, the second day of the convention, two dynamic writing workshops took place — one led by screenwriter Noah Harpster and the other by Annie Wyman, Co-Creator of Netflix’s “The Chair.” These sessions gave students the opportunity to apply the tips and techniques used by professional writers, both individually and collaboratively. During Wyman’s workshop, students formed groups and worked together — much like a TV writers’ room — to pitch original television concepts.
Following the earlier workshops, Omar Najam, writer, director, and UCSB alumnus, continued the theme of sharing writing advice with students in a session titled “What Is ‘Good’ Writing and How Do We Write ‘Good’ Scripts?” Najam explored key storytelling concepts, such as story, character, and plot, explaining how to effectively use each element to craft strong scripts.
Omar Najam was later joined by Mia Resella for a Q&A session. Resella, a fellow UCSB alum, spoke in depth about their experience writing for the animation industry. Their interest in animation grew after joining the Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship, and Resella encouraged students to seek out fellowships as opportunities for future professional development.
Similar to Resella, Harpster also offered guidance on navigating the industry in a session titled “I Need an Agent. What Should I Write?” The talk provided valuable advice on how students can present themselves and their work in the highly competitive film and television industry.
The third and final day of Word Farm began with JB Ballard, who is currently a writer for Marvel’s animated series “X-Men ’97.” Ballard’s session focused on writing for animation, highlighting the key differences between live-action and animated storytelling.
The second speaker of the day was Josh Brand, who shifted the focus to reality television. Brand, who previously worked with Nickelodeon and Netflix, led a session titled “Writing/Storyboarding for Reality TV & Docuseries.” Although these formats are unscripted, Brand emphasized the importance of having a clear vision and plan in place to achieve the desired outcome.
The final session of the convention was led by Leah Aldridge, a University of Southern California graduate with a focus on media representation of race and gender. Aldridge presented “Storytelling = Controlling the Chaos,” offering a fitting conclusion to the hectic weekend. Her session emphasized how to apply the writing skills learned throughout the convention in the fast-paced, often unpredictable environment of the film industry. Her advice helped students feel more confident as they prepare to step into the professional world.
Offering more than just technical advice, Word Farm created a space for collaboration, mentorship, and inspiration. Across three days of panels, workshops, and Q&A sessions, students gained practical tools and firsthand insight into the realities of professional screenwriting. As the final session closed, attendees left not only with sharpened skills, but also with a deeper understanding of their creative voice and the confidence to pursue it beyond the classroom.