Stage 32 Screenwriting Lab: Develop A Romantic Comedy Feature Film Concept & Write a Treatment in 8 Weeks

Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details
Taught by Matt Bierman

$799
Lab Schedule (8 sessions):
Saturday, Apr 15TH 9 - 11AM PDT
Saturday, Apr 22ND 9 - 11AM PDT
Saturday, Apr 29TH 9 - 11AM PDT
Saturday, May 6TH 9 - 11AM PDT
Saturday, May 13TH 9 - 11AM PDT
Saturday, May 20TH 9 - 11AM PDT
Saturday, May 27TH 9 - 11AM PDT
Saturday, Jun 3RD 9 - 11AM PDT
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WHAT TO EXPECT:

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 lab will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with an executive and 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 lab is designed for beginner and intermediate writers interested in writing a romantic comedy feature film.

  • By the end of this 8-week lab, you will have a professional treatment for a rom-com feature film.

  • This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed lab with one-on-one time with the instructor and significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.

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

  • Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the length of the lab.

  • **Matt Bierman will be available on email during the 8 sessions to answer any questions you have about your project.**

Payment plans are available - please contact edu@stage32.com for more information

Stage 32 Next Level Education has a 97% user satisfaction rate.

Projects:

Class hosted by: Matt Bierman

Producer and Studio Executive (Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount, Warner Brothers and DC Comics)

Matt Bierman is a studio executive and producer who has previously worked as an executive at Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount, Warner Bros., Village Roadshow, and more, with over 25 years of experience. Matt has also developed and produced movies for Hallmark and Nickelodeon. Matt benefits from vast experience with romantic comedies, including producing Christmas With the Darlings, Love at First Bark, Love Under the Stars, Memories of Christmas and more. He has expertise in low-budget mainstream films as he ran the creative at Paramount DVD Premiere and Warner Premiere, those two respective studios' lower-budget made-for-DVD divisions. Additionally, he launched Another Cinderella Story while at Warner Premiere (Selena Gomez, Lucy Hale, Sofia Carson), Save The Last Dance 2, Broken Bridges while at Paramount, and many more. In his capacity as an executive, Matt developed and oversaw theatrical movies such as Rosewood, Mystery Alaska, My Favorite Martian, Taking lives, Saving Silverman, and Holes to name a few. Full Bio »

Summary

Stage 32 Screenwriting Lab: Develop a Romantic Comedy Feature Film Concept & Write a Treatment That You Can Sell in 8 Weeks

An Exclusive Stage 32 Interactive Lab - Only 10 Spots Available!

Payment plans available - email edu@stage32.com to learn more

Create a marketable treatment for your romantic comedy feature with a producer and executive who has worked with Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount, Warner Bros., Village Roadshow, and more!

 

Rom-coms are back!

Do you have a great idea for a romantic comedy (rom-com) feature that you want to sell to a TV network or streamer? Now is the time! With the recent huge success of films like The Big Sick (Academy Award nominated!), Marry Me, Ticket To Paradise, and Shotgun Wedding, it’s clear that rom-coms are making a big comeback. These films are not only resonating with audiences and critics alike, but also doing huge numbers at the box office and with streamers. A new golden age of rom-coms is certainly upon us!

With streamers and studios investing more and more in rom-coms, now is the time to get your rom-com story out there. However, what are the potential buyers of rom-coms looking for? How do you approach them? What deliverables should you give to a buyer to get your project sold?

Believe it or not, you will have much more success selling your rom-com with a 3-4 page treatment rather than your completed spec script. While the completed script is icing on the cake, the concept, logline, one pager, and treatment are what will get your rom-com feature sold.

In this exclusive Stage 32 lab, you will develop your concept, logline, one pager, and, ultimately, 3-4 page treatment for your romantic comedy feature film with Matt Bierman, a studio executive and producer who has previously worked with Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount, Warner Bros., Village Roadshow, and more. Matt will work with you one-on-one and in a virtual class setting to get your romantic comedy ready to sell.

Matt is an expert in the field of romantic comedies having produced Christmas With the Darlings, Love at First Bark, Love Under the Stars, Memories of Christmas, and more.

You will learn the complete gambit of what makes a successful romantic comedy: understanding your audience, exploring the various sub-genres of this feature type, and discussing rom-com script structure.

Additionally, you will discuss the business model behind these types of movies - how they are made and monetized - which will help inform your story so you know that your film can be made in the buyer's sweet spot.

Matt will provide key tips on current market trends and buyer needs, and provide valuable insight into who the buyers of rom-com features are, what they are looking for, and how best to approach them.

You will walk away from this interactive lab with a completed logline, one pager, and 3-4 page treatment for your rom-com feature film that you can confidently pitch to buyers.

With the current rise of rom-coms, this lab is a must for anyone looking to make their mark in the world of romantic comedies!

 

Plus! Matt will provide you with a series of exclusive and helpful handouts to take with you and use when writing your next project. Downloads include:

  • How To Write a Great Rom-Com Hero
  • Rules for the Rom-Com Genre and Subgenres

Praise for Matt's Talent & Knowledge:

“Matt Bierman is one of the best movie execs and producers that I have worked with” – Brian Levant, director of Jingle All The Way, A Christmas Story 2

"Matt is a great instructor! He was super knowledgable and was able to put out a lot of solid information in a short amount of time. Thank you!" - Sarah H.

What You'll Learn

PRE CLASS PREP: Watch these three rom-coms: When Harry Met Sally, The Big Sick, Ticket to Paradise

WEEK 1: Developing Your Concept for Your Rom-Com Feature Film

In class:

  • What are the key elements of a romcom?
  • Rom-com subgenres and what their engines are
  • What makes a great concept?
  • How to decide what concepts work best
  • How to be fresh and specific with your concept while leaning into the genre
  • The advantage of having multiple project ideas in the genre
  • Q&A with Matt

Assignment: Write 3 rom-com concepts, 1 each of a subgenre.

 

WEEK 2: Translating Your Concept Into An Effective Logline

In Class:

  • Group discussion - what makes a good concept?
  • Class exercise: pitch your concepts on the spot
  • What makes a good logline?
  • How to go from concept to logline
  • How to make your logline standout
  • Q&A with Matt

Assignment: Pick your best concepts and create 3 loglines for that story. Send Matt your loglines before the next class.

 

WEEK 3: Taking Your Logline To a Crucial One Pager and Developing Your Story

In Class:

  • What is a one-pager (this can actually be 1-2 pages)?
  • The key elements of a one-pager
  • How to shorthand in your one-pager
  • How to include references to cast in your one-pager
  • How to bring something new to the table in a one-pager
  • Q&A with Matt

Assignment: Write a one-page summary of your story and send it to Matt.

WEEK 4: NO CLASS – Consultation: Logline and One Pager (one-on-one consultations with Matt)

  • You will meet with Matt one-on-one via video to discuss your concepts and loglines. Matt will provide you with specific notes to improve your work

Assignment: Revise your one-pager (and perhaps logline) based on Matt’s notes.

WEEK 5: Turning Your One-Pager Into a Comprehensive Treatment

Most writers have a sense of how their story is set-up and how it ends, but here, we are going to concentrate on the middle. Additionally, we will begin the conversation about writing a full treatment.

In Class:

  • Defining the three-act structure
  • What makes a good second act for your story
  • Why act two can be tricky
  • What is the bottom of the second act? How do I make an effective second act complication to bring us into act three?
  • How to turn the one-pager into an outline or treatment. How detailed are we going to be? What would be helpful to you as a writer and to a seller?
  • Q&A with Matt

Assignment: Watch 50 First Dates and note the middle and end of the second act. Begin writing your treatment. Continue to refine your one-pager as you work on the treatment. It is here that you will refine your act structure.

WEEK 6: Workshop Your Treatment With Matt and Your Peers

In Class:

  • Group discussion around your treatment - what are you getting stuck on, and how to address those issues
  • As a group, we will take student volunteers and go through a treatment or two to discuss
  • Q&A with Matt

Assignment: Finish writing your 3-4 page treatment.

WEEK 7: Pitch Your Movie to the Group and Get Supportive Feedback

In today’s class, we are going to pitch your stories to the group. The act of pitching itself will reveal a lot about your story. Moreover, it is good to get practice, as professional writers have to pitch.

In Class:

  • Is your hook strong enough?
  • Have you hit all the beats?
  • Is this a movie you would want to see?
  • Who is the audience?
  • How rom-comes get made, packaged, and bought.
  • Q&A with Matt

Assignment: Refine your logline, outline, and treatment based on feedback from pitches.

WEEK 8 : NO CLASS – Consultation: Treatment (one-on-one consultations with Matt)

Congrats, you’re a rom-com expert now!

By now, your concept, logline, one-pager, and treatment should have gone through several revisions. We will go over your final treatment and I will give you tips on how and where you might pitch it.

In Class:

  • What is the current state of the rom-com marketplace?
  • What are the best companies and studios to pitch rom-com features?
  • How to best approach buyers for your rom-com and create a lasting relationship

About Your Instructor

Matt Bierman is a studio executive and producer who has previously worked as an executive at Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount, Warner Bros., Village Roadshow, and more, with over 25 years of experience. Matt has also developed and produced movies for Hallmark and Nickelodeon.

Matt benefits from vast experience with romantic comedies, including producing Christmas With the Darlings, Love at First Bark, Love Under the Stars, Memories of Christmas and more. He has expertise in low-budget mainstream films as he ran the creative at Paramount DVD Premiere and Warner Premiere, those two respective studios' lower-budget made-for-DVD divisions. Additionally, he launched Another Cinderella Story while at Warner Premiere (Selena Gomez, Lucy Hale, Sofia Carson), Save The Last Dance 2, Broken Bridges while at Paramount, and many more.

In his capacity as an executive, Matt developed and oversaw theatrical movies such as Rosewood, Mystery Alaska, My Favorite Martian, Taking lives, Saving Silverman, and Holes to name a few.

Schedule

Saturday April 15th 9am-11am PT

Saturday April 22nd 9am-11am PT

Saturday April 29th 9am-11am PT

Saturday May 6th 9am-11am PT

Saturday May 13th 9am-11am PT

Saturday May 20th 9am-11am PT

Saturday May 27th 9am-11am PT

Saturday June 3rd 9am-11am PT

FAQs

Q: What is the format of a lab?
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 lab 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 as many times as you'd like!

Questions?

If you have a generic question about Stage 32 education you can take a look at our frequently asked questions section on our help page, or feel free to contact support with any other inquiries you might have.

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