Master Screenwriting Basics Certification

"Great screenwriting is never heard, never read, it's felt."

- AZ Yeamen

Get Your Master Screenwriting Basics Certification Exclusively Through Stage 32

Keeping you on the cutting-edge of the entertainment industry, because we are the global online resource for creative professionals.

Spots Filled, if you would like to join in 2022 please contact edu@stage32.com!

Ready to master your craft?

Learn elite screenwriting fundamentals, in-depth story analysis strategies, writing techniques and more.

Stage 32’s online Master Screenwriting Basics Certification was designed for creative professionals looking to expand their knowledge to expert level by studying screenwriting course materials and taking our certification online. When earning a Master Screenwriting Basics Certification and becoming a certified screenwriter, choosing the right training is essential.

You've found the right place.

A Master Screenwriting Basics Certification from Stage 32 can help you expand your screenwriting career.

In 16 weeks over this 14-session course with 2 creative weeks for your own writing, you will be using a proven technique designed for emerging writers to rise above the pack. This certification contains functional skills to develop your craft with pacing, authentic storytelling, building your writing muscle, and basics of screenwriting. You will learn not only the techniques to step ahead of the pack with your writing, but you will also be working on perfecting your own writing technique.

Stage 32 is the worldwide leader in entertainment industry education and is a marketplace that connects creators with content producers. After you finish your certification you will earn an exclusive Stage 32 Certificate and Stage 32 will provide you resources to help take your new skills into the professional marketplace, including a career development meeting with an industry professional.

Get certified from a leading industry expert.

AZ Yeaman has sold nearly every script she's ever written. She has become the go-to for revisions, doctoring, whipping stories into shape, and pitch packages for Netflix, TVOne, Aspire TV, UMC Streaming, Bounce TV, and independent production companies. Most recently, she served as a Story Editor on Covenant on AMC's ALLBLK.

AZ is passionate and focused, with a granite-hard work ethic. She focuses not only on pursuing and developing her career in script/story development but also on fostering exciting, new talent. Every day is an opportunity to do more, learn more. She's an admitted lifelong student, an absorber of sights, sounds, and sensations that make her a natural-born writer. AZ brings heart, energy, and clarity of vision to story development and screenwriting projects. Her students have created concepts in class, outlined, drafted, written, rewritten, and sold projects to networks.

Ready to take the next step?

Our master screenwriting certification was designed by entertainment industry professionals for entertainment industry professionals to help you succeed. For less than $100 a week you will become a certified screenwriter and be given the tools you need to enter the professional market exlusively through Stage 32. 

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 certification course is limited to 10 people and will be booked on a first come, first served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.

PART ONE: THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SCREENWRITING (8 Sessions)

Week 1 – Introduction, Method, and Screenwriting Basics

The best way to start scriptwriting is to know which format - TV or Film meets a writer's strengths by understanding the history. Knowing the history of a craft grounds the craftsperson in its true intention. We will discuss the differences when writing intense visuals versus dialogue-heavy mediums, character's journey versus development, and finding the path using a unique method I call - "The Spectrum."

• Brief history of film and TV writing
• Script Formatting
• The base elements of a script
• How to plot your character's emotional arch
• Find your Character's journey (using spectrum).
• Q&A

Handouts: How to make your words sing. Learn how and when to use scriptwriting emphasis in dialogue. It's not what you say, and it's how the emphasis is written.

Assignments:

• Setting the world with an Emotional Mapping guide.
• Identify emphasis with page reads from Whiplash and Spotlight

Week 2 – Approaching Story

The adage in storytelling goes, there are two types of story entrances – someone leaving town or someone new to town. This week's class will review the definition of story, choosing the proper arc type to best convey your story, obligatory scenes that are must-haves within specific genres, formats, and styles. As well as tone setting to help guide the story with proper pacing.

• Breaking down Story “STORY = CHARACTER + DESIRE + OBSTACLE”
• Story Arc Types
• Obligatory Arc Beats
• Shaping story based on genre – Obligatory scenes
• Rinse & Repeat: opening image tone setting• Q&A

Handouts: Story Arc Types

Assignments:

• One-page script story starting with the phrase: "If not now, when?"
• We are rewriting your one-page script based on the assigned genre.

Week 3 – Scene Structure

Start early, leave late. Show don't tell. You've heard these, all before but how do you do this, exactly? This week we'll discuss a method I teach on character intentionality. Setting your character's motivation from their action, to dialogue, to what they're not saying. Techniques learned this week will show you how to write characters with meaning – no fluff – no fat.

• Defining character motivation in each Scene.
• Defining setting context to support scenes.
• Handout: Scene Construction
• Exercise: Read, Watch, Identify scene elements.
• PCR method: Scene's Problem, Complication, and Resolution
• Action Lines
• Q&A

Handouts: Scene structure definitions

Assignments:

• Read assigned pages from Gone Girl
• Subtext introduction worksheet.

Week 4 – On The Page: Story Pacing, Dialogue, Your Authentic Voice

Write with style. Remember, this course is about finding your "authentic voice" to best market your script. Good writing is good writing, but sometimes, bad writing gets sold because the writer was authentic to their style of storytelling. We still need properly formatted scripts, but how do you have the reader emoting with your characters? This week we're going to dig into the writer's objectives and character's intentions.

• Dialogue: TV vs. Film, two different histories, two different styles.
• What the heck is story pacing, and how to use it?
• Psychology of Character dialogue.
• Writing succinct action lines.
• Writing tone and style-specific character descriptions.
• Dialogue: Character power shifting.
• Internal vs. External conflict
• Character vs. Scene Emotional intent.
• Q&A

Handouts: How do you lie? - Selecting character traits.

Assignments:

• Subtext Assignments 2, 3.

Week 5 – On The Page: Story Pacing, Dialogue Part 2

Subtext in scriptwriting is defined as a deeper meaning of text – what we see on screen. The visuals, actions, dialogue of a character. The build-up of enigma, obnoxiousness, and intrigue. This week, we'll use the tools we learned from previous weeks PLUS some new techniques to understand how to build a three-dimensional character and the world that supports, denies, and confirms them.

• Subtext methods
• Subtext: Traits of building a human.
• Assignment Due: Opening 5
• In-Class Assignments: Subtext Identification
• 6-steps to Scene Structure.

Assignments:

• Subtext Assignments 4, 5.
• Opening 5 pages.

Week 6 – Let's talk it through…

• One-on-One Consultations.
• Q&A

Assignments:

• Opening ten pages.

Week 7 – On The Page: Subtext Part 2

Have you ever watched a film or television that you didn't like just because you wanted to figure that one clue or red herring? Sure, you have. The writer gives meaning to symbols to create suspense, which suspends the audience into watching more. This week, we'll discuss how to write a carefully crafted scene that holds the audience's attention.

• Subtext: Irony, Suspense, and Symbols
• Assignment Due: Opening 10
• Writing Internal vs. External Conflict.
• Q&A

Assignments:

• Opening ten pages – The rewrite.

Week 8 – Effects of Storytelling

The audience continues to read or watch your story because they are engaged. Tension-driven scenes create tension-driven character emotions that do tense acts that create a tense movie with payoff. The payoff comes mainly from the author; "what do you want to say in this film?" Your tools are character, connection, and emotion to communicate your thoughts on any given matter as a screenwriter. Your job is to share the problem that needs to be solved and the character that needs to change to resolve it. How?

• Audience Psychology; when to make them feel what.

• Connect the audience to the character:
• Pity/Feeling Sorry
• Undeserved Misfortune
• Evoke Hope
• Hope Creates Worry
• Create Jeopardy (For Constant Engagement)

• Q&A

Assignment Due:

• Opening 10 pages

PART TWO: 4-WEEK SCRIPT ANALYSIS (4 Sessions)

This section will analyze screenwriting methods used in iconic series and landmark films and explore narrative approaches that support character, series engines, and film construction, with a thorough understanding of the three-act structure.

Week 1 and 2 will concentrate on two pilot episodes, one comedy, one drama. Week 3 and 4 will focus on two iconic films.

Week 1 – Introduction, Narrative Approach, Screenwriting Methods, and Techniques.

Know what you're going to do, say what going to do, do it, then do it differently.

• Writer's perspective in viewing the narrative story.
• Screenwriting Methods and Techniques

• Character identity formation and reformation
• Social Perspective
• Dramaturgy
• Character development, themes, and connection to the audience.
• Q&A

Assignments:

• Series Pilot watch and read.

Week 2 – Screenwriting Methods and Techniques when Developing Character

• Analyzing openings that create empathy and connection with the character.
• Analyzing planting and payoff techniques.
• Examine character arc in iconic series.
• Examine the writer's point of view.
• Technique section one: setting breadcrumbs/planting, payoff, and twist.
• Q&A

Assignments:

• Technique mapping exercise.
• Film, watch and read.
• First Test.

Week 3 – Acts, Sequence, and Scenes

• Analyzing scene setups.
• Examining themes.
• Exercise: Scene study – exposition and reveal.
• Technique section two: character arc consistency and public persona reveal.
• Q&A

Week 3 Handout: Scene Construction

Assignments:

• Technique building worksheet
• Film, watch and read.

Week 4 – Character Arc development in Acts, Sequence, and Scenes

• Analyzing assigned film three-act structure.
• Examining audience connection.
• Studying plants and payoff in film (understanding callbacks).
• Course Review.
• Q&A

Second Test.

2-WEEK ASSESSMENT

Over the final two weeks of this course, we will test writers on the basics of act, act breaks, sequence, scenes, and classic teleplay writing techniques.

PART THREE: ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION (2 Sessions)

Over the final two weeks of this course, we will test writers on the basics of act, act breaks, sequence, scenes, and classic teleplay writing techniques.

Week 1: Preparing for Certification

Screenplay basics certification is next week, so let’s sort through any information you may be unclear about - script, character development, story structure… let's work through it all.

Caveat -- we’ll be working on your scripts. We’ll split into two groups; Group A Film focused writers/Group B TV focused writers. As a group, using the script review handouts, each group will assess their individual script (first 10 pages) and work together to address the fixes based on the lessons learned through the course week.

Handout: Practice Assessment

Assignments:

• Complete practice assessment.
• Polish your script.

Week 2: Screenplay Assessment & Certification Test

FILM TRACK (Group A) Week 2 – Screenplay Assessment review.

• Q&A session to review all materials covered over the course.

TV TRACK (Group B) Week 2 – Teleplay Assessment review.

• Q&A session to review all materials covered over the course.

CONCLUSION: MASTER SCREENWRITING CERTIFICATION TEST 

Over the course of 14 sessions you will be tested on what you've learned -- After you finish your certification you will earn an exclusive Stage 32 Certificate and Stage 32 will provide you resources to help take your new skills into the professional marketplace, including a career development meeting with an industry professional.

PART ONE

Sunday January 2 – 10am-12pm PST

Sunday January 9 – 10am-12pm PST

Sunday January 16 – 10am-12pm PST

Sunday January 23 – 10am-12pm PST

Sunday January 30 – 10am-12pm PST

Sunday February 6 – 10am-12pm PST

Sunday February 13 – 10am-12pm PST

Sunday February 20 – 10am-12pm PST

PART TWO

Sunday March 6 – 10am-12pm PST

Sunday March 13 – 10am-12pm PST

Sunday March 20 – 10am-12pm PST

Sunday March 27 – 10am-12pm PST

PART THREE

Sunday April 10 – 10am-12pm PST

Sunday April 17 – 10am-12pm PST

Q: What is the format of a class?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Classes are typically 90-minute broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32.

Q: Do I have to be located in a specific location?
A: No, you can participate from the comfort of your own home using your personal computer! If you attend a live online webinar, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class.

Q: What are the system requirements?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live class. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer

Q: What if I cannot attend the live class?
A: If you attend a live online class, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class. If you cannot attend a live class, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A. Plus, your instructor will be available via email throughout the lab.

Q: Will I have access to the lab afterward to rewatch?
A: Yes! After the purchase of the lab, you will have on-demand access to the video recording, which you can view for one month after the class is complete.

~Chris Strickland

First and foremost, AZ is AMAZING! The information provided, the examples, the illustrations, the assignments were all geared towards equipping us to become great script writers. I MUST take the course again. Nothing but applause for AZ and her style of teaching.

~Rachel Cuyler

If you’re someone like me who keeps saying they want to be a writer, this is the place to start taking that seriously. AZ is informative and fast-paced, encouraging you to rise to the occasion with every assignment.