Stage 32 Screenwriting Lab: Rewrite Your TV Series Pilot Script In 6 Weeks
Other education that may be of interest to you:
Extended Webinar: How to Master Story Structure for Your Drama Television Pilot
Over the course of an extended two-and-a-half hour webinar, learn drama pilot story structure from one of Stage 32's most popular and requested instructors Includes case studies, story maps and free script downloads of the pilot episodes of: SUCCESSION THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL THE EXPANSE It almost sounds cliché at this point, but we’re living in the Golden Age of Television, an era where TV dramas as diverse, ambitious, and creative as SUCCESSION, BETTER CALL SAUL, BRIDGERTON, THE QUEEN’S GAMBIT, I WILL DESTROY YOU, and MRS. AMERICA are not only put on air, but find an audience and gain serious popularity. This is in turn an era where networks and streamers are actually looking for new voices and new stories. More than ever before, there is a path for your own television drama to be discovered. Yet no matter how great your concept is, how strong your characters are, how diverse, clever or unique your world is, your drama series will not be effective and will not be successful unless you can nail your script’s structure. Nailing your TV drama’s story structure—specifically your pilot—is no easy task. In the span of just 40-60 pages, you have to introduce your world, your characters, your central plot and conflict, and your inciting incident, all while keeping your pacing consistent, finding some resolution for that episode, and allowing your audience to want to watch more. This is a complicated, and delicate game and ultimately comes down to how you structure and map out your script before you start writing. No matter what genre you’re writing in, understanding how to structure your pilot is vital. Gaining a clear grasp on how successful drama pilots are arranged and the rules they all follow is a necessary step if you want to have a show that will get picked up and ultimately connect with an audience. Anna Henry is a Producer and Development Executive who has worked at CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and multiple production companies, as well as a manager at Andrea Simon Entertainment. Her clients have worked on shows such as THE DEUCE, POWER, IN CONTEMPT, TOMMY, VIDA, SEVEN SECONDS, HUNG, CHICAGO FIRE, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, THIS IS US, and THE FLASH, and have set up projects at AMC, Amazon, Starz, HBO, Sony, Fox, EOne, ITV America, OddLot Entertainment, Corus, and others. One of Stage 32’s most popular instructors of all time, Anna has projects currently in development around the world and is incredibly familiar with what goes into a great television pilot. Anna will go in-depth on how to properly structure your drama TV series pilot and will use real past pilot scripts as examples as she breaks down, act by act, the elements necessary to turn your series pilot into stand-out script. Anna will go over the main types of one-hour pilots and will outline the elements for pilot development, including story engine, world, characters, themes and tone. She’ll discuss how to select and map your own template show as well as incorporating multiple plotlines. Anna will then delve into the function and elements of your pilot’s teaser and Acts 1 through 5, as well as your pilot launch, pilot climax, and series launch. She will finally lay out the most common structure problems that you should avoid. Don’t even think about starting to write your own drama pilot until you gain the tools Anna will provide. Examples will be used from notable past one-hour drama pilots on network, cable, and streaming platforms. PLUS! you will receive pilot scripts and Anna's own story maps for each after the webinar: THE EXPANSE (Syfy) THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL (Amazon) SUCCESSION (HBO) Praise for Anna's Previous Stage 32 Webinar: 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.
Stage 32 Screenwriting Lab: Rewrite Your TV Series Pilot Script In 6 Weeks (Nov 2023)
Only 6 Spots Left - Grab Your Spot Now Rewrite your TV series pilot script with expert guidance from Anna Henry, a producer who was worked with CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and more! PLUS! You will receive multiple exclusive handouts to help in your rewriting process! **You must send your current pilot script to edu@stage32.com immediately after signing up for the course so you can receive personalized feedback from Anna.** ***Flexible Learning: if you cannot attend any of the sessions live don't worry - you will be sent the links to the recordings of each session within 48 hours of the live session and you will have direct access to Anna on email to ask her any questions about your craft or career so you can keep up at your own pace and schedule.*** Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details Writing is rewriting… and rewriting, and rewriting. Every writer is familiar with this adage, but when you have finished the first draft of your TV pilot (congratulations!), it can be daunting to plunge into the inevitable second draft. Stage 32 is here to provide expert guidance and mentorship while you rewrite your TV pilot and get it market ready! Maybe you know some things in your pilot aren’t working but you are just not sure where the problems lie, or how to fix them. Maybe you have received notes you don’t quite understand or aren’t sure you agree with, making them hard to address. Maybe you have submitted your pilot to contests and haven’t moved past the quarter or semi-finals or pitched and pitched only to get script requests but no development offers. This is not the time to give up - it’s time to double down, to dive into your second (or third, or fourth…) draft with the guidance of a top development executive and literary manager. Writing may seem like a solitary occupation, but all writers need guidance. Especially TV writers. TV writers work in rooms, work with showrunners, producers, managers and executives giving them feedback. They belong to writers’ groups. If you don’t have those support systems guiding you through your rewrite (or even if you do and need a fresh perspective), this lab is for you. Let’s dive in together! In this exclusive Stage 32 6-part screenwriting lab, you will rewrite your existing TV pilot script under the guidance of an industry leader to guarantee your next draft is not only an improvement of your work, but ready to go to market. Guiding you through the rewriting process for your pilot is Anna Henry. Anna is a producer and development executive who has set up projects at AMC, Amazon Prime, Starz, HBO, Sony, Fox, EOne, ITV America, and OddLot Entertainment, among others. She’s worked at CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and multiple production companies, as well as in management at Andrea Simon Entertainment where she worked with writers. Anna is also an instructor for Netflix & Stage 32 Creating Content for a Global Marketplace Program. Over 6 interactive sessions, you will find out the most effective strategies to rewrite on a large scale, revise scene-by-scene and polish the details of your script till it shines. You will receive valuable worksheets and checklists that help you keep track of the steps you need to take to improve your script. Through virtual classroom sessions and one-on-one sessions with Anna, you will receive personalized feedback to improve your script. PLUS! You’ll receive exclusive handouts to help in your rewriting process. Downloads include: Story grid worksheet Character description elements Scene elements worksheet Sample scenes analysis Polish “to-do” checklist If you’re looking to punch up and rewrite your pilot script and turn script problems into storytelling opportunities, this lab is for you! **Please send your current pilot script to edu@stage32.com immediately after signing up for the course so you can receive personalized feedback from Anna.** Praise For Anna's Previous Stage 32 Teaching: "Anna's webinar was fantastic. I am writing my first one hour drama pilot so this webinar was packed with the exact information that I will be immediately putting to use in my rewrite. The slides were clear, concise and informative. The speaker was excellent at conveying the information I needed." -Bobby C. "It was really great information. Anna was a terrific host, very knowledgeable and shared a lot of information and tips." -Marla H. "This was by far the best webinar on pitch documents that I have experienced. I've seen others where they give certain advice that she warned not to do!" - Tiffany C. "So informative on the structure of a pitch. What's needed and how to go about dealing with the things that will come up during a verbal pitch or simply in the relationship between those giving a pitch and those receiving one. Well organized Anna, thank you!" - Julia L.
How To Write Your TV Pitch Bible To Sell Your Show
Find out what buyers and executives need to see in your pitch bible from a producer who's set up projects at HBO, Amazon Prime, AMC, Starz, Sony, Fox, and more. You’ve received plenty of tips on penning your pilot, but how do you actually put together the companion pitch bible that helps sell your show? The opportunities to pitch your project are everywhere, from broadcast networks to streamers. Even here on Stage 32, you can find countless execs looking for new ideas to develop. And you need to be prepared with a pitch bible when those opportunities arise. A pitch bible is a written document that briefly tells an executive everything they need to know about your series in an efficient and engaging way. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, one of our most popular hosts, Anna Henry, will show you exactly what executives want to see in your pitch bible. Anna will walk you through every aspect of what you need to include in your pitch bible, how much time to spend on each element, and how to organize it all in a way that’s easy to follow. Most importantly, she will show you how to include all of this information in a way that shows just how entertaining and exciting your show is and why an executive needs to buy your show today. Anna is an accomplished producer, development executive, and television instructor who teaches writers like you exclusively through Stage 32, including the Netflix & Stage 32 Creating Content for a Global Marketplace Program. Over her lengthy entertainment career, she has pitched and set up projects at AMC, Amazon Prime, Starz, HBO, Sony, Fox, EOne, ITV America, and OddLot Entertainment, among others. She’s worked at CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and multiple production companies, as well as in management at Andrea Simon Entertainment, where she worked with writers of all experience levels. This webinar with Anna ensures that you know everything that’s needed in your pitch bible so that you’re prepared to sell your project the moment an opportunity arises. Join Anna - and the countless other writers who have benefited from her guidance - to take your project pitch to the next level today. TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS STAGE 32 EDUCATION FROM ANNA: "Anna's webinar was fantastic. I am writing my first one hour drama pilot so this webinar was packed with the exact information that I will be immediately putting to use in my rewrite. The slides were clear, concise and informative. The speaker was excellent at conveying the information I needed." -- Bobby C. "It was really great information. Anna was a terrific host, very knowledgeable and shared a lot of information and tips." -- Marla H.
How to Write Historical Fiction Television that Will Get You Noticed
Learn From A Producer and Development Executive who has worked at CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and more! "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. The market for historical dramas is hot. Shows like The Crown, Genius: MLK/X, The Law According To Lidia Poet, The Great, Babylon Berlin, The Empress, Call the Midwife and more are dominating with controversial plot lines and riveting characters. But to sell a historical drama, you first need to know the specifics of writing this specialized genre. You need to understand what type of intellectual property makes for a compelling story and then have the skills necessary to turn this historical piece into a modern, binge-worthy series that speaks to today's audiences. In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, industry veteran Anna Henry who has worked as a development executive and producer and has shepherded numerous projects through networks and streamers is here to show you how. Anna is a Producer and Development Executive who has worked at CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and multiple production companies, as well as a manager at Andrea Simon Entertainment. Her clients have worked on shows such as THE DEUCE, POWER, IN CONTEMPT, TOMMY, VIDA, SEVEN SECONDS, HUNG, CHICAGO FIRE, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, THIS IS US, and THE FLASH, and have set up projects at AMC, Amazon, Starz, HBO, Sony, Fox, EOne, and more. Anna has projects currently in development around the world and is incredibly familiar with what goes into a great television pilot. If you are developing a historical drama or ever want to try, this information-packed webinar is a must! Praise for Anna's Stage 32 webinar: "The webinar was fantastic. I am writing my first one hour drama pilot so this webinar was packed with the exact information that I will be immediately putting to use in my rewrite. The slides were clear, concise and informative. The speaker was excellent at conveying the information I needed." -Bobby C. "It was really great information. Anna was a terrific host, very knowledgeable and shared a lot of information and tips." -Marla H. "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.
Netflix + Stage 32 Present: Television Pilot Story Structure
Netflix and Stage 32 have partnered on an exclusive global education series in an effort to democratize the worldwide entertainment industry. Together, over the course of 5 webcasts Stage 32's world class educators will bring their knowledge of what it takes to write, develop and produce today's television for the Stage 32 and Netflix creator community. To kick things off, we are going to talking about television pilot story structure. Nailing your TV drama’s story structure—specifically your pilot—is no easy task. In the span of just 40-60 pages, you have to introduce your world, your characters, your central plot and conflict, and your inciting incident, all while keeping your pacing consistent, finding some resolution for that episode, and allowing your audience to want to watch more. This is a complicated, and delicate game and ultimately comes down to how you structure and map out your script before you start writing. No matter what genre you’re writing in, understanding how to structure your pilot is vital. Gaining a clear grasp on how successful drama pilots are arranged and the rules they all follow is a necessary step if you want to have a show that will get picked up and ultimately connect with an audience. Anna Henry is a Producer and Development Executive who has worked at CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, as well as multiple production companies and in literary management. Her clients have worked on shows such as THE DEUCE, VINYL, SEVEN SECONDS, VIDA, CHICAGO FIRE, and THE FLASH, and have set up projects at Netflix, AMC, Amazon, Starz, HBO, Sony, EOne, Corus, and others. Anna will go in-depth on how to properly structure your drama TV series pilot and will use real past pilot scripts as examples as she breaks down, act by act, the elements necessary to turn your series pilot into stand-out script. Anna will go over the main types of one-hour pilots and will outline the elements for pilot development, including story engine, world, characters, themes and tone. She’ll discuss how to select and map your own template show as well as incorporating multiple plotlines. Anna will then delve into the function and elements of your pilot’s teaser and Acts 1 through 5, as well as your pilot launch, pilot climax, and series launch. She will finally lay out the most common structure problems that you should avoid. Don’t even think about starting to write your own drama pilot until you gain the tools Anna will provide. Examples will be used from notable past one-hour drama pilots on network, cable, and streaming platforms. PLUS! you will receive story maps/outlines broken down for each of these pilots: LUPIN (Netflix) SUCCESSION (HBO) THE EXPANSE (Syfy) THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL (Amazon) Note: You will receive the Zoom link to login by the morning of the webinar. If you are not yet a member of the Stage 32 community, we encourage you to join the community today at www.stage32.com, it is FREE! You will instantly connect with over 800,000 creatives and professionals in the entertainment industry from all over the world who use Stage 32 to network, find work, learn and develop their projects. YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO.
How to Write A Professional One-Page Synopsis For Your Television Project
Learn how to create an essential one-page synopsis for your television series pitch from a top TV executive and manager who has taught for Netflix and whose clients have worked with HBO, Amazon, Starz, ABC, CBS, and Nickelodeon! PLUS! You will receive exclusive handouts to help you create your synopsis including a one-pager worksheet and series pitch documents for HOUSE OF CARDS, RECTIFY, and SIX! The most important part of the pitch bible for your TV series is your one-page synopsis. However, if you have ever written a pitch deck or bible, you know that the one-page synopsis is oftentimes the hardest part to create. You keep going back to it, trying to revise and perfect it, not quite able to get it all down on the page. Sometimes it's more efficient to make the rest of the pitch document first and then come back to your synopsis, but even then it is tricky to summarize your story into one page. How do you summarize an entire TV series in one page anyway? And yes, it needs to be one page, because when you start to pitch, you will find again and again that busy executives, managers, and producers just want to read a “one-pager” first. It is an established and expected format. So Stage 32 is here to help! In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, you will learn how to create a compelling one-page synopsis for your television series from Anna Henry. Anna has over 20 years of development experience as an executive at ABC, CBS, and Nickelodeon, and has worked as a representative helping her clients set up projects at ITV America, Sony, 20th Television, EOne, Starz, Amazon, OddLot Entertainment, Corus, and many others. Anna has a plethora of knowledge and experience to share with you to help you perfect your TV series one-page synopsis. Anna will break down the TV series overview into its component parts, giving you step-by-step guidance on what to include and how to communicate your series in a compelling, specific, yet succinct way. You will learn how to categorize your show, how to communicate the elements of your project in a nutshell, and how to hook your reader with the central conflict and stakes of your story. You will go over additional elements you might include, such as tone, themes, episode ideas and your personal connection to the material. Finally, Anna will talk about a slightly longer type of short pitch – the two-page or 8-minute pitch required for Stage 32 pitch sessions. If you are looking to get your TV series out into the world, then this webinar is a must! Plus! Anna will provide you with exclusive handouts to help you create your compelling and essential one page synopsis. Downloads include: One-pager worksheet HOUSE OF CARDS series pitch document RECTIFY series bible SIX series pitch document Testimonials from Anna's previous Stage 32 Courses: "This was by far the best webinar on pitch documents that I have experienced." - Tiffany C. "So informative on the structure of a pitch. What's needed and how to go about dealing with the things that will come up during a verbal pitch or simply in the relationship between those giving a pitch and those receiving one. Well organized Anna, thank you!" - Julia L. "I really appreciate Anna's teaching method and style. She is knowledgeable and thoughtful, and really cares about her students!" -- Matthew M.
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