Work directly one-on-one with a top TV executive and get the expert guidance, insider insight, and accountability you need to finish your pilot and make it market-ready!

Limited to 15 writers – ONLY 8 spots remain!

This is our most sought-after lab and spots fill fast!

Payment plans available at checkout or email edu@stage32.com for more info! 

Drama television has never been more electric. Shows like Heated Rivalry and The Pitt are proof that audiences are hungry for bold, character-driven stories with high stakes and unforgettable characters. Right now, streaming platforms and networks are looking for the next breakthrough drama, and YOUR STORY could be it! In this exclusive Stage 32 8-part screenwriting lab, you will write your complete drama TV pilot with guidance from an industry leader to make sure your script is market-ready!

You’ll learn how to create characters that stick, build a story engine that keeps viewers hooked, structure your pilot for maximum impact, and polish your script so it grabs the attention of decision-makers. By the end, you’ll have a finished pilot, a repeatable process for future projects, sharper instincts for what works on the page, and the confidence to get your work read by the people who can make it happen. This interactive lab is designed to help you create a pilot that shows your skills, your voice, and your vision - a script that opens doors, earns meetings, and gets you noticed by executives and writer’s rooms!

You’ll be guided by Anna Henry, a producer and development executive who has set up projects at AMC, Amazon Prime, Starz, HBO, Sony, Fox, EOne, ITV America, and OddLot Entertainment. She has worked at CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and multiple production companies, and helped writers package and elevate their work at Andrea Simon Entertainment. Anna also teaches for Netflix & Stage 32’s Creating Content for a Global Marketplace Program and is one of our most sought-after educators.

Over 8 weeks, Anna will work with you in the lab and one-on-one to help you choose your concept, develop your characters, structure your story, outline your pilot, and complete a polished script. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining a draft, you’ll finish with a professional-ready drama pilot that reflects your voice, your vision, and your potential to break into television!

This interactive Stage 32 lab is held on Zoom and goes substantially more in depth than a Stage 32 webinar. Best of all? As soon as you sign up you will be linked on email with Anna and given a questionnaire to fill out and send back to her. You will have access to her for the duration of your class by email to ask her any questions you have about your craft or career - it’s like having a mentor on demand! And, if you can't make a live session, don't worry! All class recordings will be available 48 hours after each session and you will be able to view them in your Library on your Stage 32 profile. Finally, you can expand your network with like-minded creatives - you'll have a dedicated lounge for interactive support and discussions with your fellow classmates!

Praise for Anna:

This was my first Stage 32 webinar, and it exceeded my expectations, both in terms of quality (and quantity) of information and overall value. Anna was personable, knowledgeable, and organized. The slide deck was helpful, and her overall presentation hit all the key topics. Anna and Stage32 delivered the goods.
- John R.

What a thoughtful, thorough and inspiring webinar. It's clear that Anna Henry put an enormous amount of work into this presentation. Not only was the content there, but the structure was also superb. I feel educated and inspired to go back to my own work and do better than what I thought was my best. What could possibly be better than that! Thank you Anna for your genius and your generosity.
- Crispin L.

"Comprehensive, insightful. Combined a lot of material I had heard snippets of on character, world dev, etc. but artfully stitched together in one presentation."
-James F.

"It was amazing, enlightening - completely. I learned soooo much - especially as a feature writer who's been asked to turn a feature script into a pilot!! Thank you soooooo much."
-Kristin G.

WEEK 1 – Introduction, Elements of a TV Series

This week we will cover the syllabus, your goals for this lab and launch into a discussion of what elements you have to create for a successful show.

We will discuss doing research about the world and characters you will be writing about. We will talk about coming up with a story engine for your show, and how setting, tone and point-of-view affect your story. We will discuss creating strong characters for your pilot. What makes a character compelling, the difference between likeable vs. relatable characters, and effective antagonists. We will address the differences between ensembles and star vehicles. We will take time to go over how to build complex relationships and use them to propel a series. Finally, we will talk about finding a “template show” to aid your writing.

The assignments for this week will be:

• Write a half-page description of the concept of the pilot you intend to write.
• Find a template for your pilot
• Write a detailed description (around half a page) on each of your series regular characters

WEEK 2 – Pilot Structure and Story Mapping

This week we will discuss the function of a beat outline. We will break down pilot structure, plot and subplots and discuss some differences between pilots for episodic vs. serialized pilots. We will talk about pacing, building stakes, creating mystery / suspense / anticipation, and act breaks. We will go over page counts and number of characters. We will also address budget and production considerations.

• The assignment for this week will be to write a beat outline for your pilot.

WEEK 3 – Pilot Outline Consultations (One on One Consultations – No Online Class)

This week will consist of one-on-one consultations regarding pilot structure. Each writer will send in their pilot outline in advance and will have a phone consultation to discuss what works and what doesn’t.

• The assignment for the week is to address any notes given on the outline before proceeding with next week’s class and to continue working on character descriptions as needed.

WEEK 4 – Acts One and Two

This week we will go over all the necessary story beats that exist in Acts 1 and 2 of a drama pilot, including world-building, setting up the “rules of the universe,” establishing character, setting tone, and creating an effective launch point for your pilot. We will talk about how to introduce characters, give backstory, and convey character through unique voices. We will address the challenges of exposition and some ways to bring the audience into the world of your pilot. We will also talk about the function of a teaser.

• The assignment this week will be to complete Acts 1 and 2 of your pilot.

WEEK 5– Writing Effective Scenes

We will discuss how to craft dense, efficient scenes that move the plot forward and reveal character and avoid “dead” scenes. We will talk about how to enter and leave scenes and move from scene to scene using character motivations. We will address how to weave together multiple storylines. We will also talk about nuanced dialogue and the value of subtext.

• The assignment this week will be to continue writing.

WEEK 6 – Pilot Acts One and Two Consultations (One on One Consultations – No Online Class)

This week will consist of one-on-one consultations regarding the first half of your pilot. Each writer will send in their draft in advance and will have a phone consultation to discuss what works and what doesn’t.

• The assignment for the week is to address any notes given.

WEEK 7– Acts Three, Four and Five

We will cover the necessary story beats that traditionally exist in acts 3 – 4 or 5 of a drama pilot, including building subplots, increasing layers and complexity, and making sure every character has a place in the puzzle and begins an arc. We will discuss writing dense scenes that move the story forward as well as reveal character. We will address how to create a series launch point at the end of your pilot that clearly establishes the series engine. We will also talk about how to embed larger themes into your story and address some common pilot writing mistakes.

• The assignment this week will be to complete the first draft of the entire pilot.

WEEK 8 – Finished Pilot Consultations (One on One Consultations – No Online Class)

This week will consist of one-on-one consultations on your first draft. Each writer will send in their first draft in advance and will have a phone consultation to go over notes.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class 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.

• This class is designed for all level creatives interested in writing a drama television pilot. 

• This is an intimate, in-depth, practical, and detailed class held on Zoom where you will be interacting with your instructor.

• This class consists of 8 sessions roughly two hours in duration and offers significantly more in-depth content than a standard Stage 32 webinar.

• ***Your instructor will be available on email during the eight sessions to answer any questions you have about your project.***

• To stay motivated and inspired you will have access to a dedicated Stage 32 Lounge post where you can meet, connect and communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the length of the class and beyond. Let Stage 32 help you find your tribe!

• Can't make it live? Don't worry, each session will be recorded and you can watch it on demand at your convenience. 

• You will be held accountable to take the lessons from each week and move your work forward.

• Payment plans are available at checkout through Shop Pay

• All levels of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to rewrite their TV series pilot episode script.
• All levels of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn the fundamentals of a TV pilot rewrite.
• All levels of producers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn the the fundamentals of a TV pilot rewrite and how to improve an existing draft of any pilot script.
• All levels of actors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to take more control of their career by learning the the fundamentals of a TV pilot rewrite and improve an existing draft of a TV pilot script.
•  

"This was my first Stage 32 webinar, and it exceeded my expectations, both in terms of quality (and quantity) of information and overall value. Anna was personable, knowledgeable, and organized. The slide deck was helpful, and her overall presentation hit all the key topics. Anna and Stage32 delivered the goods."
- John R.

"What a thoughtful, thorough and inspiring webinar. It's clear that Anna Henry put an enormous amount of work into this presentation. Not only was the content there, but the structure was also superb. I feel educated and inspired to go back to my own work and do better than what I thought was my best. What could possibly be better than that! Thank you Anna for your genius and your generosity."
- Crispin L.

"Comprehensive, insightful. Combined a lot of material I had heard snippets of on character, world dev, etc. but artfully stitched together in one presentation."
-James F.

"It was amazing, enlightening - completely. I learned soooo much - especially as a feature writer who's been asked to turn a feature script into a pilot!! Thank you soooooo much."
-Kristin G.