The Power of Mentorship: How DreamAgo Creates Transformative Spaces for Screenwriters
In an industry where connections and craft development can make or break a career, finding genuine mentorship opportunities is rare. This week, I experienced one of those rare moments that reminded me why programs like DreamAgo's Plume & Pellicule are essential for screenwriters serious about their craft.
A Conversation with Excellence
Earlier this week, I had the extraordinary privilege of participating in an intimate talkback with Oscar-winning screenwriter Peter Straughan, whose brilliant script for Conclave just took home the Academy Award. Getting to talk shop with one of the finest writers working today wasn't just inspiring—it was transformative.
These aren't your typical industry panels where questions feel rehearsed and answers stay surface-level. This was a real conversation about the craft, the challenges, and the choices that separate good writing from great writing.
What Makes DreamAgo Different
DreamAgo has mastered something that many organizations attempt but few achieve: they attract world-class artists and create spaces where authentic, meaningful conversations happen. Their roster speaks for itself—Benicio Del Toro, Stephen Frears, Christopher Hampton, Guillermo Arriaga, and many other luminaries in film and television.
But here's what truly sets them apart: they don't just facilitate Zoom conversations with these masters. They've built something more substantial, more intimate, and more impactful.
The Plume & Pellicule Experience
A couple of years ago, I was accepted into DreamAgo's Plume & Pellicule program in Sierre, Switzerland. It was one of those career moments that fundamentally shifts your trajectory as an artist.
The program brings together serious screenwriters and pairs them with extraordinary mentors who don't hold back. I had the honor of being mentored by remarkable artists including:
Pascale Rey – whose insight into character and story structure challenged me to dig deeper
Dean Nichols – who pushed me to find authenticity in every scene
Julie Ponsonnet – whose perspective on visual storytelling opened new creative doors
Christopher Hampton – two-time Oscar winner whose mentorship was nothing short of masterful
These weren't casual coffee chats. These were intensive, transformative sessions designed with one purpose: to make you a better writer. The feedback was direct, the expectations were high, and the growth was exponential.
The Swiss Alps Advantage
There's something about being in the Swiss Alps that elevates the creative process. Maybe it's the distance from the noise of Los Angeles or the distractions of daily life. Maybe it's the beauty of the landscape that reminds you why storytelling matters. Or maybe it's simply that when you're surrounded by other committed artists in an environment designed for deep work, magic happens.
The Plume & Pellicule program understands this. They've created a space where exploration and rigor coexist, where you can challenge yourself creatively while also enjoying the experience. Because let's be honest—if it's not also fun, what's the point?
Why Mentorship Matters
In screenwriting, you can read all the books, take all the courses, and study all the scripts. But there's something irreplaceable about sitting across from someone who's done the work at the highest level and having them look at your work with honest eyes.
The relationships I built through DreamAgo and the experiences I had in that program continue to shape my craft today. The lessons learned, the standards set, the bar raised—these things don't fade. They become part of how you approach every script, every scene, every line of dialogue.
Gratitude and Growth
Huge thanks to Pascale Rey, Nena Aristizabal, Maggie Soboil, and the entire DreamAgo team for their vision and dedication. They've created something that the screenwriting community desperately needs: a place where artists can truly grow and connect.
If you're a screenwriter looking to level up your craft, I can't recommend DreamAgo highly enough. Whether it's their virtual conversations with industry masters or the immersive Plume & Pellicule experience in Switzerland, they're doing the real work of developing artists.
This is how real growth happens. Not through shortcuts or hacks, but through genuine mentorship, rigorous feedback, and a community that believes in the power of great storytelling.