Master Screenwriting Basics Certification
Other education that may be of interest to you:
Write Your Professional Feature or One-Hour Script Outline in 8 Weeks
A New Lab for Stage 32 Writers! Payment Plans Available - Contact edu@stage32.com For More Information Only 3 Spots Still Available - Don't Miss Out Your chance to be mentored by a professional writer who has worked with Netflix, TVOne, Aspire TV, AMC, Bounce TV, and more. Write your feature or television pilot outline in 8 weeks while being mentored by a professional screenwriter and script consultant! Screenwriting is often described as a solitary craft. Many writers embrace this option, but we've got a better option for you to explore your narrative work. In this exclusive Stage 32 lab, you'll work with a professional screenwriter to learn every aspect of screenwriting story structure and put it into practice as you write your own feature film or television pilot outline in 8 weeks. The eight-sequence structure taught in this lab is used widely in the industry. The writers who live and breathe this structure are some of the most creative working writers as they instinctively understand the framework, allowing their minds to focus on the emotional journey of the characters and find innovative ways to tell their stories. Outlining is a crucial step in the development process when working with executives and representation, who often must approve an outline before the writer can start writing their script. Over eight sessions, you and a group of passionate screenwriters will dive deep into screenwriting structure, focusing on one sequence each week, and applying what you've learned to your script's professional outline throughout the lab. You'll cover world-building, character dimensionality, pacing techniques, and more along the way. Taking you through story structure is AZ Yeamen, a writer and consultant who has sold nearly every script she’s ever written, and now she’s giving writers an incredible crash course in screenwriting based on her years of industry experience. AZ 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. She most recently served as a Story Editor on Covenant for AMC's ALLBLK. AZ has mentored countless up-and-coming writers, and her students have sold projects to networks and won numerous screenwriting competitions. With limited spots available, you’re guaranteed hands-on guidance and an interactive experience with AZ. These spots are first-come, first-serve, so don't miss out on working with AZ and walk away with a strong outline and a better understanding of how working writers structure their scripts. PRAISE FOR AZ'S PREVIOUS STAGE 32 EDUCATION: "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." -- Rachel Cuyler "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." -- Chris Strickland
4 Steps to Writing Your Feature Film First Draft
An essential screenwriting class with the Top Story Editor of Covenant on AMC's ALLBLK In this on-demand, four-session class exclusively through Stage 32, you’ll learn proven techniques designed for emerging writers to write your first draft with help from a professional screenwriter, teacher, and script consultant. You’ll learn how to create your logline to test the strength of your idea while brainstorming, conduct character analysis to form the emotional journey at the core of your story, break your story into sequences, run crucial reports to analyze your script’s strengths, and more. Your expert instructor, AZ Yeamen, has sold nearly every script she’s ever written. She uses the techniques in this course for her own stories and teaching emerging writers, helping them rise above the pack, selling projects to networks, and placing in many screenwriting competitions. AZ continues to hone her own skills as a writer, consultant, and founder of Bridge 17 Scriptwriters’ Studio. 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. She most recently served as a Story Editor on Covenant on AMC's ALLBLK. AZ doesn’t just teach you how to craft a story. She teaches you how to bring your voice to the forefront, tailoring your script to your authentic voice so that it stands out. By the end of the four lessons, you’ll have functional skills to develop your script with pacing and authentic storytelling while building your writing muscles and understanding the most important screenwriting essentials. Any writer that successfully applies these lessons using their own unique voice will have the skills to write a memorable script ripe for production. Testimonials from AZ's Stage 32 Course: "First and foremost, AZ is AMAZING! The information provided, the examples, the illustrations, the assignments were all geared towards equipping us to become great scriptwriters. I MUST take the course again. Nothing but applause for AZ and her style of teaching." -- Chris S. "Not only does AZ know her stuff, but she articulates it very well. I highly recommend working with her no matter what stage your project is at. She'll work with you to take it from good to great." -- Alyssa B.
Stage 32 4-Part Screenwriting Class: How to Write Subtext in Your Screenplay + 3 Writing Exercises
This class has a 100% satisfaction rating! Available on-demand for immediate viewing Uncover the hidden power of your characters' voices with our exclusive 4-part Stage 32 class with AZ Yeamen, Story Editor of the hit AMC ALLBLK miniseries COVENANT. Ever wondered why your favorite movies linger in your thoughts long after the credits roll? It's the layers of meaning, the unsaid messages, the subtext that adds depth and memorability. Now, you have the chance to master this crucial element of storytelling that sets your work apart. In this immersive class, AZ Yeamen will personally guide you through the art of weaving subtext seamlessly into your screenplay. Imagine honing the same tips, tricks, and techniques used by successful screenwriters to elevate your writing to a professional level - now you can through not only learning how to write subtext, but you will be challenged with 3 writing exercises to help you get better! The challenge lies in finding that sweet spot between too much and too little subtext. AZ helps you navigate this, ensuring your subtext enhances rather than overwhelms or confuses your audience. Success in the industry demands mastering subtext – it breathes life into your characters, forges deep connections, and crafts complex, resonant stories. Don't miss this opportunity to stand out in the competitive field of screenwriting. Join our 4-session on-demand course and gain functional skills to infuse subtext into your dialogue, plot, and storytelling. Walk away armed with the expertise and tools needed to make your screenplays irresistible to producers, agents, and captivated audiences. It's time to elevate your craft and make your mark – start now! Testimonials from AZ's Course: "First and foremost, AZ is AMAZING! The information provided, the examples, the illustrations, the assignments were all geared towards equipping us to become great scriptwriters. I MUST take the course again. Nothing but applause for AZ and her style of teaching." -- Chris S "Not only does AZ know her stuff, but she articulates it very well. I highly recommend working with her no matter what stage your project is at. She'll work with you to take it from good to great." -- Alyssa B.
The Writer-Director Blueprint: Taking Your Film From Concept to Distribution
Learn how to take your film as a writer/director from concept to successful distribution with the writer/director/composer of the new feature film SWEETWATER starring Jeremy Piven, Cary Elwes, and Everett Osborne! PLUS! You will receive exclusive handouts to help on your filmmaking journey! A lot of people want to make movies. Telling unique stories in a visual medium while collaborating with other talented creatives is the dream for most everyone interested in the arts. However, most don’t understand how comprehensive the role of a filmmaker is, especially if you are both the writer and director of a project. Sometimes a director is hired by a studio or production company to direct a film or series, but when a filmmaker is directing a script that they themselves wrote, many other aspects of the filmmaking process must be taken into consideration. Wearing the many hats that being a writer-director requires can seem daunting at times, however it can be an immensely fulfilling and rewarding experience…if you know what to do and what to avoid. Teaching and sharing knowledge on how to successfully make your film as a writer-director, from ideation through production all the way to distribution, is critically acclaimed filmmaker and musician Martin Guigui. Martin is the co-founder and President of Sunset Pictures and has made over a dozen films, all from scratch. He oversees development, pre-production, production, post-production, and distribution on all of his projects, and has Executive Produced dozens more. Martin’s most recently wrote and directed SWEETWATER, starring Jeremy Piven, Cary Elwes, Kevin Pollak, Richard Dreyfuss, and Everett Osborne, which was released in theaters in April 2023 and received high praise amongst audiences and critics alike. Martin will take you through the entire writer-director journey from conceiving the story to pre-production, casting, physical production, editing, coloring, scoring original music, sound design, and ultimately to securing distribution and proper marketing which can also happen early in the process if pre-sales are required to make the production budget and financing work. A writer-director has to be the driving force behind every step of the process to make sure the finished film is what they had dreamt, conceived, and hoped for creatively to be shared with a wide audience. As a filmmaker who has worked on every stage and facet of his projects, Martin will share with you the necessary tips, tricks, and skillset you need to have to successfully helm your own project from script through delivery. PLUS! Martin will provide you with exclusive handouts that will help your filmmaking process. Downloads include: Creative and Business Process Outline and Timeline Packaging for Financing and Distribution Distribution, Marketing, and Revenue Structures If you are a filmmaker who dreams of writing and directing your own movies, this webinar is a must! Praise For Martin's Webinar: "Martin was personable, inspiring and informative. Best Stage 32 webinar I've attended yet." -- Lisa G. "Excellent! I can't recommend this webinar enough. 10 for 10." -- Michael CC.
Avoid Legal Disputes on Your Film or TV Project: How to Protect Yourself Across All Departments
Ever get to the post-production part of your film only to be stopped and have to do several reshoots stretching the budget way over? Ever pitch your work only to have to halt negotiations with a buyer due to chain of title? Ever show your completed project only to not be able to sell it due to legal issues it is warped with? Well look no further because this webinar is designed to help you avoid these pitfalls and make sure all your ducks are in a row legally to avoid having your film stopped in its tracks. COMMON LEGAL ISSUES Often times your Stage 32 Educator Kennington Groff receives numerous calls from individuals claiming (1) that someone stole their idea, (2) we had a verbal agreement and then a falling out and (3) I thought I could use all the materials and whole facility as I wanted. Sadly, without proper detailed agreements in place, there is not a lot that can be done for these disputes. One of the most important things an aspiring writer, producer, talent or any other job working in entertainment someone can do is make sure to get a detailed agreement in writing. While you may think this will cost a lot of money upfront and is not worth it, it will be far cheaper and more beneficial to have these agreements in place upfront than trying to recover or solve a dispute on the backend. ABOUT YOUR STAGE 32 EDUCATOR Kennington is an attorney who launched her own firm and is now working with Lilenfeld PC focusing on entertainment and intellectual property. In addition to her legal work, Kennington worked as a clips producer on Season 4 of Weather Gone Viral for The Weather Channel. Throughout her career, Kennington gained valuable experience working with top entertainment executives at HBO, NBCUniversal, and Lionsgate in their business and legal affairs offices in Los Angeles and New York City. In this exclusive Stage 32 Next Level webinar Kennington will teach you an overview of legal issues that can arise across all departments to make sure that you are protected on your project. Plus! With the purchase of this webinar you will also receive: Location Agreement A Production Rights Cheatsheet
Writing for Animation - Features & TV
Learn how to write for animation from a writer and director of top animated projects who has worked with Steven Spielberg, Dreamworks, Disney, Warner Bros, Paramount, and more! Animation offers screenwriters one of the most flexible mediums for the imagination. Animated stories have been capturing our minds ever since media hit the screen through characters like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Bugs Bunny to what we see today in The Simpsons, American Dad, Bojack Horseman, Rick and Morty, Spider-Man, Incredibles and (so many) more. Writing animated feature or television requires a special skill - not one that can be taught through traditional feature & TV writing resources. The tools you need to succeed in animation are quite unique and once honed can offer you a long career in the always hugely popular animation universe. But, where do you begin? There are all different types of animated writing - including pre-school, children's comedy and adult animation. Further, how do you find your niche? There are many different animation genres (and styles) in features and television today. Is the writing universal for all genres? It takes a seasoned professional to understand the nuances of all types of animated writing and be able to write efficiently for the story and the project. Educating yourself in all aspects of how animation writing works for features and television will greatly assist you in achieving your goal, whether it's attracting representation, trying to sell an original concept, pushing an animated feature or TV pilot, or finding work in an television animation writer's room. Mike Disa, most recently the director of the highly praised Netflix show Paradise PD, has been working in animation for two decades. With no film training or knowledge of the byzantine workings of the entertainment business, he eventually found success at studios such as Dreamworks, Disney Feature, Warner Brothers, Paramount, and many others. Over a fascinating career, Mike has worked with some of the greatest and most infamous people in Hollywood including Steven Spielberg, Eric Goldberg, Ralph Bakshi, Glenn Close, Steve Oedekerk, David Tennant, Amy Poehler, Adam Sandler, Jeffery Katzenberg and Roy Disney. In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, Mike will cover everything you need to know about writing animation for features & TV. He'll start with formatting and script length (two aspects surprisingly ignored or misunderstood by most writers) then discuss writing low budget vs. high budget and how to write within the scope of each. You will learn how to write around special effects and other post production implementations. Mike will discuss reading and production drafts and how to collaborate with your writing and producing teams and will talk premises, outlines, first draft strategies and how to go about pitching your idea. He will get into writer's room expectations, strategies in working the room, and the steps to take from being a show writer to a showrunner. Mike will use real world examples to show you the landscape of writing animated features and TV. And this is just some of what you'll learn! This is 3 HOURS of comprehensive education from a director of a top animated Netflix show on how to write, sell, and build a career in writing feature AND television animation! Praise for Mike: "Mike Disa was amazingly generous with his time and information. And he was real. It doesn't get better than that. I'll be able to apply his insights and the information he shared immediately. I'm so glad I decided to participate." -- Elizabeth A. "Excellent webinar. I think that I learned more than I expected to about animation writing and how it relates to working in the industry. I had a good time watching this and appreciate how kind everyone was with their time." -- Kari H.
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