How To Write Your Faith-Based/Inspirational Film

A New Exclusive 4-Part Class!

Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details

Learn From The Writer/Director Of The Inspirational Faith-Based Film WHAT REMAINS starring Cress Williams, Kellan Lutz and the late Anne Heche in her final film role.

Inspirational and faith-based films are in high demand. What used to be thought of a small niche is now an enormous business attracting large audiences and delivering huge profits. And this audience is desperate for more content.

But what types of films make sense for this growing audience? What sorts of stories are they attracted to? And how can you, as storytellers, engage with this audience and deliver stories that resonate without sacrificing quality? Stage 32 is here to guide you toward the successful model so you can make your inspirational or faith-based movie a success. 

Your instructor for this course is award-winning filmmaker Nathan Scoggins. Nathan's most recent feature film, WHAT REMAINS starring Cress Williams, Kellan Lutz and the late Anne Heche in her final film role, premiered at the 2022 Austin Film Festival before being released in theaters around the country. His list of other credits includes writing THE LEAST OF THESE, released in 2011 by Universal and starring Isaiah Washington (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and Oscar-nominee Robert Loggia, the TV movie THE PERFECT SUMMER starring Eric Roberts and THE RIDE (directed by Dallas Jenkins, creator of THE CHOSEN). He recently directed two episodes of an upcoming television series for Sony Affirm. 

This 4-session interactive Stage 32 class will help you break down the creative process of developing your inspirational or faith-based film and how to apply specific formats, structures and storytelling techniques to writing and crafting faith-based and inspirational stories that sell. This class will also give you specific tools for engaging with this ever-growing audience.

By the end of the class, you will have all tools you need to start writing your inspirational or faith-based film.

Session 1 – Overview of faith-based/inspirational films.

What is a faith-based film? What is the audience for these sorts of stories? Who are the players? What sorts of stories are they looking for? What makes some faith-based films work and others…not so much? We will discuss the history and types of films in this genre that work, and conclude with an initial pitch of a story you’d like to develop.

• The history of faith-based/inspirational films
• The faith-based/inspirational films that work and why
• The audience for faith-based films
• The players in the faith-based film world and what they’re looking for
• Pitching out ideas for a faith-based story you’d like to develop
• Q&A with Nathan

Assignment: Take one potential story in this area and do a rough breakdown of the film’s characters.

Session 2 – Basics of Storytelling / Character, Community and Theme

There’s no getting around it: story is still ultimately about character. We will work our way through the basics of cinematic storytelling with an emphasis on how these basics are applied in the faith-based/inspirational genre.

• Character wants/needs
• Goals/obstacles
• Internal/external growth
• How they connect to God/faith/community
• Thematic areas and statements – what do you want to say through these characters?
• Q&A with Nathan

Assignment: Use characters to beat out a rough structure and theme.

Session 3 – Story Structure

We will discuss the three core needs of your character, as well as how those needs connect to your characters in a faith-based/inspirational context. We will discuss how your story expresses/explores their needs and how to engage in storytelling that can present the audience with a compelling central spiritual question.

• Compelling questions / compelling themes
• 3 core needs of your characters / 3 core spiritual virtues
• Story structure: how do those needs and virtues express themselves in story events?
• How to effectively pitch your story
• Q&A with Nathan

Assignment: The 8 Essential story points and hero questions; preparing to pitch.

Session 4 – Outlining & Pitching

Before you go to draft, you want to make sure your story is as clear as possible. We will review your work on your characters/questions/story points, clarify what needs clarifying, and make sure that your project is ready to go to the next level.

• Pitching your work
• Feedback on pitches
• Refining story elements
• How to approach the writing process / goals and deliverables
• Review/overview of the players in faith-based industry – where could these stories go?
• Q&A with Nathan

Assignment: The Plan – make a plan for your script in terms of finishing it/marketing it.

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 award-winning writer/director 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 class is designed for beginner and intermediate students looking to learn how to write your faith-based or inspirational feature film. This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed class with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• This class will consist of four sessions, each roughly two hours in duration and spaced one week apart from one another. In addition to the presentation-style lessons, you will have the opportunity to ask questions during each session.
• 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 process.
• **Nathan will be available on email during the 4 sessions to answer any questions you have about the class or your projects.**

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

Thursday March 30th 3pm-5pm PT

Thursday April 6th 3pm-5pm PT

Thursday April 13th 3pm-5pm PT

Thursday April 20th 3pm-5pm PT

Q: What is the format of a class?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Classes are typically 120-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 purchase this class on-demand?
A: If you purchase this class on-demand, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.

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.

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“Faith-based films are a fraught genre, usually concerned with proselytizing over plot and production value. But it doesn’t have to be this way. What Remains is an example of what can happen when filmmakers tackle tough issues head on.” – Rob Machen, Austin Chronicle, about Scoggins’ recent film What Remains