We’ve created a selection of the most noteworthy panels happening at this week's Austin Film Festival, organized to appeal to particular festival-goers, from curious onlookers to those looking to break into the business. Yesterday we looked at panels for indie filmmakers. Today we highlight panels for aspiring and professional screenwriters. So get out your planners and take note!

THURSDAY 10/11

Austin Pitch Prep
They say you only get one chance to make a first impression, so come learn how to ensure your first pitch isn’t your last! Come prepared with the story you want to pitch to our judges at the AFF’s fifth annual Austin Pitch Competition. Moderated by screenwriter/UT grad Bonnie Orr.
1-2:15pm
Driskill Hotel, Austin Room

A Shot Of Inspiration
Listen to screenwriting professionals describe their first big breaks and the roads they took to get there. Featuring Beverly Hills Cop scribe Daniel Petrie Jr. and Robin Swicord, who adapted Little Women and Memoirs Of A Geisha.
2:45-4pm
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom

FRIDAY 10/12

Tell Your Story: Terry George
Come meet Terry George, writer/director of Reservation Road and Hotel Rwanda and writer of In The Name Of The Father and Hart’s War, and join the casual conversation on the couch. Last year we went to this panel with The Usual Suspects scribe Christopher McQuarrie on the couch, and it was bar none the most informative, entertaining, and unpredictable event we saw the entire festival (he stayed on for about 2 hours after the scheduled time riffing on his collaborations with Bryan Singer and Martin Scorsese). Highly recommended.
9-10:15am
Driskill Hotel, Chisolm Trail Room

Finding The Voice-Dialogue
This panel features some incredibly talented and successful writer/producers, including Nicholas Kazan (son of Elia), Aline Brosh McKenna, and Terry Rossio. Just look up their filmographies on IMDb.
10:45-am-12pm
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom

Writing The Drama
Drawing an audience in emotional is always important, but in a good drama it’s absolutely essential. Get tips on developing characters, creating conflict, and adding intensity to your work from some of the best in the business. Featuring Nicholas Kazan, Scott Alexander, and Terry George.
1:45-3pm
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom

A Conversation With Glenn Gordon Caron
A panel featuring Glenn Gordon Caron, legendary TV writer responsible for Moonlighting and, most recently, Medium. Moonlighting is one of the best TV shows of all time because, besides being incredibly smart and funny, it also touched on every possible human emotion, sometimes all in one episode. Come meet the guy who did that.
3:15-4:30
Driskill Hotel, Ballroom

SATURDAY 10/13

AFF Writer’s Ranch
Launched two years ago, the Writer’s Ranch is an intensive two-week program in which emerging screenwriters work with professionals to improve and ultimately sell their scripts. Come learn about participants’ experiences and the guidelines for attendance.
9-10:15am
Driskill Hotel, Austin Room

Tell Your Story: Thomas Schlamme
Thomas Schlamme, co-creator of The West Wing and Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip, has written some of the funniest and most human dialogue ever heard on television—Studio 60 will be sorely missed—so we can’t stress this one enough.
10:45-12pm
Driskill Hotel, Chisolm Trail Room

Tell Your Story: Scott Alexander
Scott Alexander is the pen behind Ed Wood, The People Vs. Larry Flynt, and Man On The Moon. You will probably hear some hilarious stories about Milos Forman’s accent and what Tim Burton does to make his hair look like that.
2-3:15pm
Driskill Hotel, Chisolm Trail Room

There are plenty more writing panels devoted strictly to techniques and writing for specific genres, so have a look at the AFF website for a complete list.

* Microphone photo by Kevin Lawver