What does it mean to "level up" as a screenwriter? Grounded sci-fi writer Jack Cusick breaks down the realities of building a screenwriting career, from mastering craft, to finding community, to finally stepping into real industry conversations.

Jack shares how he fell in love with storytelling, why the structure of screenwriting sharpened his writing, and how he thinks about grounded sci-fi as character-first storytelling rather than spectacle. He also opens up about "quarterfinalist syndrome," rewriting without losing your sanity, and why progress in this business often feels like a video game with invisible levels. We also talk about:

• The three stages of a screenwriter's career
• Why writing is always a little uncomfortable (and why that's a good sign)
• Using contests and fellowships to practice industry meetings
• How building real relationships matters more than pitching in your first meeting
• Why success is either a win… or a learning opportunity
• Finding your "lightning in a bottle" and staying ready when it strikes

Whether you're early in your screenwriting journey or navigating the gap between craft and career, Jack's perspective is grounded, practical, and refreshingly honest.

Join the ISA for an honest conversation about what agents & producers want & what you need to do to become the writer they're searching for. They're not just looking for potential.

They're looking for proof.

In this roundtable, we'll cover:

• What makes agents say yes (& what makes them pass immediately)
• The truth about what your script needs to be ready & how to get it there
• How to build the professional foundation that gets you noticed
• Strategic paths to industry visibility
• The ISA resources that help you Get Great → Get Noticed → Get Repped

Featuring: Craig James (CEO & Founder), Molly Kasch (COO), Felicity Wren (VP of Dev), Shayna Weber (Creative Exec), Jeffrey Morales (Story Exec), Scott Markus (Dir of Content), Thada Catalon (Digital Marketing Dir) & Ilana Grollman (Submissions Asst)

This isn't about shortcuts. It's about the real work & how ISA helps you do it.

Writer, actor, and poet Alex Sarrigeorgiou talks about her creative journey and her debut feature film, "In Transit," a tender, intimate queer drama about connection, identity, and the courage to change direction in life.

In this inspiring conversation, Alli Kiko Masloske shares her creative journey from working with animals to writing screenplays that connect deeply with audiences. From navigating chronic illness to finding her voice in a competitive industry, Alli opens up about how humor, honesty, and community have shaped her work and outlook on life.

Writer, director, and creative powerhouse Dani Hanks joins Shaya Weber for an in-depth conversation about her journey from actor to award-winning writer, how chronic illness shaped their perspective, and their process for writing powerful, character-driven stories. Learn how Dani approaches outlining, keeps momentum through rejection, and balances a thriving creative life with a demanding day job. Perfect for emerging screenwriters, showrunners-in-training, and anyone seeking inspiration and practical tips for breaking into TV writing.

BiographyDani Hanks (they/she) is a disabled writer/director who subverts the status quo with a bit of comedic flair.

After receiving their BFA in drama at NYU Tisch, they directed the Banff-nominated political comedy web series "Fake News Writer," which was optioned after winning the Webby Award for Video Entertainment in 2019.

They are a 2024 Austin Film Festival Winner for the Josephson Entertainment Fellowship, as well as a fellow of the WGA East Support Staff Basic Training program (Script Coordinating Track), Stowe Story Labs, and Disability Belongs (formerly RespectAbility) Entertainment Lab. Dani has worked on projects in development at FilmRise, RKO, and TikTok.

They are a full-time meme connoisseur, sometime AD, former member of Mensa, anxious bisexual, and have 10 years of experience cutting animal tissue (much to the dismay of their pet rats).