Screenwriting Explained: Tamara Jenkins + Jim Taylor on April 6

Have you always been curious about what goes into writing a screenplay?

For the fourth year, a key public component of our annual Screenwriters Lab is a Master Class with award-winning screenwriters. This year, HIFF is pleased to welcome two: Oscar®-winning screenwriter Jim Taylor (SIDEWAYS, ELECTION) and Oscar®-nominated screenwriter Tamara Jenkins (THE SAVAGES), who together will offer a behind-the-scenes deep dive into what it takes to write a script for every type of audience

Sideways 2 650 The Savages 1 650

Taylor, who won an Oscar® for Best Adapted Screenplay for SIDEWAYS and was nominated for ELECTION, is also known for ABOUT SCHMIDT and DOWNSIZING. Jenkins was nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Original Screenplay for her film THE SAVAGES, and is also known for PRIVATE LIFE and SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS. The pair worked together recently on JULIET, NAKED.

The Master Class will take place at 6:00pm on Saturday, April 6, at the Ross School in East Hampton. The pair will use clips and personal experiences to detail all that goes into writing a script for every type of audience. This is a special opportunity to hear from two of the most talented and versatile writers in the industry.

Seats are limited, and tickets are on sale now!

Students and educators are welcome as our guests. Please show your school ID for free admission at the door.

If you are a current HIFF Member, please email membership to receive your complimentary seat. (If you’re not a member, why not join today?)

Note: Once you purchase tickets, your name will be on a list at the door.
No physical ticket is required.


Tamara Jenkins 200x300Tamara Jenkins

Tamara Jenkins is the writer-director of PRIVATE LIFE, THE SAVAGES, and SLUMS OF BEVERLY HILLS. Among the honors she has received are a Best Screenplay Award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, an Independent Spirit Award, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Ms. Jenkins currently teaches directing in the Graduate Film program at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she also received her MFA. Jenkins lives in New York City with her husband—the screenwriter Jim Taylor—and their daughter, Mia.

Jim Taylor 200x300Jim Taylor

Born and raised in Seattle, Jim received a BA from Pomona College and an MFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Jim is the longtime collaborator of writer/director Alexander Payne. Among the screenplays they have co-authored are ELECTION, ABOUT SCHMIDT, SIDEWAYS and DOWNSIZING. For their work on these scripts they have been honored with two Golden Globes, two Writers Guild Awards, and one Academy Award. Jim is married to and sometimes writes with the filmmaker Tamara Jenkins. Their most recent collaboration is an adaptation of the Nick Hornby novel, JULIET, NAKED.


Learn more about this year’s Screenwriters Lab, including selected screenplays, visiting mentors, and a special screening of TERMS OF ENDEARMENT!