INT. ZERO XXI STUDIOS, REDLANDS - WEDNESDAY NIGHT
The Screenwriters' Circle
A room for Inland Empire writers. Share your pages, hear from writers who have done it, and leave with a partner who keeps you writing. Join us in the studio or online.
When
Every other Wednesday, 6 to 9 PM
First meeting
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Seats
Limited to 25 writers
Where
Zero XXI Studios, Redlands, or online
A safe, local room for your work
The Screenwriters' Circle is a community program of the Desert Empire Filmmaker Foundation (DEFF), the nonprofit serving independent filmmakers across San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Meetings are hosted at Zero XXI Studios in Redlands and are open to screenwriters and storytellers at any stage, from first draft to festival-ready.
Share your pages, hear them out loud, and get honest feedback from people who care about the work. Your ideas stay yours: the group is built on trust, respect, and keeping each other's projects in the room.
EVERY MEETING
Three things you walk out with
01
A working session on your project
Share where you are, what you've written since last time, and what you're aiming for next.
02
A talk from a writer who has done it
Each meeting features a host or guest speaker from the Inland Empire filmmaking community.
03
An accountability partner
Write side by side in a paired session, then keep each other on track until the next meeting.
YOUR HOST
Led by working, award-winning local writers
The Circle is led for DEFF by Casey Ball, co-founder of Zero XXI Studios.
- Best Screenplay, Amor Film Festival
for Ram's Head - Best Screenplay, 4theater Selection
for Devil's Pie, a horror comedy musical
GUEST SPEAKER
Wednesday, December 2, 2026
David Draper
Inland Empire filmmaker and writer, joining the Circle to talk craft with our writers.
More guest speakers from the local filmmaking community will be announced.
THE RUN OF SHOW
How a meeting runs
| Time | Segment | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 PM | Arrive and mingle | 15 minutes to grab a seat, chat, and loosen up |
| 6:15 PM | Introductions | Share who you are, your project, your progress since last time, and your goal for the next meeting. Bring pages to share, printed or digital (the studio printer is available). |
| 7:00 PM | Host or guest talk | 15 to 30 minutes on a writing topic from this meeting's speaker |
| 7:30 PM | Group discussion | 20 minutes of questions and conversation |
| 7:50 PM | Pomodoro breakout | Pair up and write: 25 minutes of focused work, a 5 minute break, then 25 more minutes |
| 8:45 PM | Wrap | Set your goal with your partner before you leave |
CAN'T MAKE IT IN PERSON?
Join virtually
Every meeting has a live Google Meet room, so writers across the Inland Empire and beyond can take part from home. Same night, same schedule, same Circle.
One link, every meeting
Your Meet link lives in the members' community, ready whenever you are.
Share your pages on screen
Introductions and feedback work the same online as in the room.
Switch any time
Come to the studio one meeting and log in from home the next.
Members' community
Post pages, check in with your partner, and catch announcements between meetings.
BETWEEN MEETINGS
Accountability partners
You leave every meeting with a writing partner who keeps you on track until the next one.
New partner each meeting
So you get to know everyone in the Circle.
Swap contact info
During the breakout writing session.
Check in between meetings
On the goal you each set.
Report back
At the next meeting's introductions.
The details
- Presented by
- Desert Empire Filmmaker Foundation (DEFF)
- Hosted at
- Zero XXI Studios, 590 Nevada Street, Suite C, Redlands, CA 92373
- Online
- Live on Google Meet every meeting; link shared with members
- When
- Every other Wednesday, 6:00 to 9:00 PM
- First meeting
- Wednesday, November 18, 2026
- Cost
- $25 per month for your seat, paid to DEFF. Cancel anytime.
- Size
- Limited to 25 writers
- Bring
- Your project (pages, outline, or idea), a laptop or notebook, and copies to share
- Who it's for
- Screenwriters and storytellers at any stage, from first draft to festival-ready
25 seats. Every other Wednesday.
Claim your spot before the first meeting on November 18.