Stage 32 Writing Lab: Write Your TV Spec Script
Other education that may be of interest to you:
How To Get Into Television Fellowships
A New Exclusive Webinar! Find out what it takes to get into the elusive Television Writing Fellowships from ABC-Disney, NBC, Warner Bros., and more from the Vice President and Head of Warner Bros. Television Workshop! It might not be spring yet, but Fellowship season is coming for television writers! Now is the time to prepare your samples, essays, resume, and application so that you’re ready when the submission windows open very soon! These writing fellowships (hosted by NBC, Paramount, ABC-Disney, WB, and others) are one of the best ways for you to break into a television writers’ room and launch your episodic career. But what are these programs looking for? How can you stand out? What mistakes should you avoid? In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you’ll go behind the scenes and find out how to get into one of these elite TV writing fellowships directly from the Vice President and Head of Warner Bros. Television Workshop, Rebecca Windsor. In addition to her work with the WBTV Workshop, Rebecca launched the Warner Bros. digital brand Stage 13, where she oversaw SPECIAL, which premiered on Netflix and garnered four Emmy Nominations. Previously, she was the Creative Producing Initiative Manager of the Sundance Institute’s Feature Film Program. She was pivotal in coordinating the Screenwriters and Directors Labs, Episodic Story Lab, and the Creative Producing Lab and Summit. There is a lot of misinformation and confusion surrounding what it takes to get into these fellowships, but Rebecca will provide accurate insight based on her many years of experience working in this arena. She’ll take you through what you need in your portfolio to apply, how to choose what to write, what makes a great personal statement stand out, the selection process, how to nail your interview, and more. Plus, if you attend the live webcast, you’ll have the opportunity to ask Rebecca any questions you have surrounding your fellowship application. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn directly from someone who has significantly shaped the fellowship process and knows what you need to stand out from the crowd in your application! Praise for Rebecca's Stage 32 Next Level Webinar: Rebecca was fantastic and her advice was so helpful. She obviously knows this topic well and was able to provide meaningful instruction. - MacKenna V. Great insight on details involved in compiling and completing applications and how to be prepared. - Angelique W. It was awesome and informative. Rebecca is so incredibly knowledgeable about this industry and really chisels away at script structure. Great learning from her! - Greg P.
(SOLD OUT) Stage 32 Screenwriting Lab: Write Your Feature Screenplay in 12 Weeks with Expert Guidance from a Global Executive (June 2022)
**Only 2 Spots Remain** Payment Plans Available - Contact edu@stage32.com For More Information Do you have a movie idea that's been bouncing around in your head for too long? Or a screenplay you've been talking about for ages but never found the time to actually write? It's time to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). To help you on your way we've brought in Thomas Pemberton who is the Development Executive at the global production company Mind's Eye Entertainment, which has produced over 60 feature film and television projects. Thomas has a keen eye for great material and is quick to champion material he believes in. He discovered four writers through Stage 32 who now have their projects under option with Mind’s Eye Entertainment! You can read more here. Over 12 intensive weeks, Thomas will work closely with you and a small group of writers in outlining, writing, and actually completing your feature film screenplay. Each week, Thomas will lead an intimate group session where he will offer notes and guidance on specific portions of each writer’s screenplay or planning documents, incrementally and methodically working towards a complete and polished product. You will additionally have the benefit of getting support, feedback and perspective from the other members of the lab, as well as the opportunity to offer your own for their projects. Take control of your creative career and give yourself the accountability and guidance you need to clear this obstacle and write something you can be proud of and that will get you noticed.
Fix the Script: Rewrite Your Half Hour TV Pilot
Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details Limited Class Size - Only 4 Spots Remain Get Guidance in Rewriting and Improving Your Half-Hour Pilot Script with Experienced TV Writer Meghan Pleticha of SILICON VALLEY Rewrites can make or break a pilot. It’s the time when you can take your script to be a cut above the rest, or overwork it and undermine its potential. Nowhere is this truer than in the half-hour comedy pilot, where jokes can halt the story's momentum and the plot can overwhelm the characters. But with the guidance of a professional half-hour writer, you can take your script to the next level and kickstart your career with a ground-breaking comedy. In this exclusive Stage 32 lab, you’ll work directly with SILICON VALLEY writer Meghan Pleticha as she mentors you through rewriting your half-hour comedy pilot. In addition to writing for the Emmy-nominated HBO series, Meghan has also worked on Cartoon Network’s POWER PLAYERS, FX’s MARRIED, ABC’s CHARITY CASE, and VH1’s HIT THE FLOOR. You’ll also read successful half-hour comedy pilots to see what made them stand out in the booming television marketplace and will be able to ask Meghan questions directly as you work in a limited setting. With only 12 spots available, you’re guaranteed quality time with Meghan and your new network of fellow comedy writers. Using her own unique and tested rewrite process and a series of assignments and exercises, Meghan helps you tackle your script the best way possible so that you leave with a stronger pilot you can be proud of. Don’t miss out on this incredible chance to be mentored by a professional staff writer on a critically acclaimed show. These spots are filling fast. "Writing pilots is hard! You have to come up with characters, a world, AND a story?! In script after script, I've seen writers spend so much time on the first two, the story gets lost. Even worse, without a strong pilot story, your world and characters won't reach their full potential. I love helping writers find the best structure for their show so their script can most accurately represent them and their idea. And I'm looking forward to doing that with Stage 32. See you in class!" -Meghan Pleticha
SOLD OUT: Stage 32 Writing Lab: Write Your Drama TV Pilot in 8 Weeks - From Concept to Completed Script (February 2022)
***Lab spots filled*** - Interested in writing comedy? Join our comedy TV writing lab next week with literary manager Spencer Robinson - learn more here. If you'd like to get on the waiting list for the next Drama TV lab email edu@stag32.com If you have an idea for a TV show but have never gotten around to writing the pilot, or maybe you've written the pilot script and are hoping to polish and rework it, this is the perfect time to finally get down to business and create something you can be proud of and can get the attention of networks and execs. We can give you the guidance and accountability to get you there.Over the course of a 15+ year career, Anna Henry has read thousands of television scripts and worked with hundreds of writers. She has also set up projects with Netflix, Amazon, Starz, ABC, CBS, Sony, 20th Century Television, Nickelodeon and many more. She is also an instructor for Netflix & Stage 32 Creating Content for a Global Marketplace Program.In this lab, Anna will work directly with you in a class setting and also during one-on-one sessions to help you write a fantastic, market-ready pilot. To do so, Anna will guide you through picking a concept, creating engaging characters, perfecting your structure, constructing an outline and, finally, writing your pilot. If you already have a concept or even a completed pilot, Anna will use the same tools to help you hone and sharpen your material. PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 lab is limited to 15 writers and 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 do book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good. "My passion is helping writers make their work better. I’m not a screenwriter, so I don’t try to insert my voice into your work. With 20 years of experience as a development executive and literary manager, I consider myself to be your advocate and guide. I know the marketplace and know what will make your project successful. But my goal is to tell YOUR story in your voice. I don’t give vague “reviewer” notes, and I am brutally honest. If you want a cheerleader, I recommend you get notes from your friends. If you want to put in the work to elevate your writing, you’ve come to the right place." - Anna Henry "Anna exceeded my expectations, both in terms of quality (and quantity) of information and overall value. Anna was personable, knowledgeable, and organized. Anna and Stage 32 delivered the goods." - John R.
The Keys to Writing Procedural Drama TV in Today's Market - With a Case Study and Free Download THE GOOD WIFE Pilot Script
Serialized dramas produced in the streaming and premium cable spaces may be garnering more awards recognition and chatter on social media, but their often-ignored cousins – the procedural dramas that present closed-ended stories within each episode – should not be underestimated. Procedurals continue to not only draw huge crowds, but can stay on the air for many more seasons than their streaming counterparts (can you believe GREY’S ANATOMY has had 17 seasons??). Current ratings for shows like CBS’s EQUALIZER, FOX’s 9-1-1 and NBC’s CHICAGO P.D., CHICAGO FIRE and CHICAGO MED demonstrate just how wildly successful procedural dramas continue to be. The fact is writing and producing the successful procedural remains a highly marketable skill that can offer longevity to a writer's career, though it requires both technical knowledge and an understanding of the current marketplace for these enduring shows. For something that seemingly sticks closely to a formula, the professional TV procedural script can be deceptively hard to write, and there is little if any published literature addressing this subject. Over the years, many “rules” for writing the procedural or mystery have developed in rooms across Hollywood, and expectations for what such a script must include have grown. But how can up-and-coming writers or writers of other genres learn these rules? What actually constitutes an effective procedural pilot script and how can writers demonstrate this skill in order to find their way into a writers’ room? Barry Schkolnick is a long-time writer and producer in Hollywood who has written on over 20 procedural TV dramas including LAW & ORDER, UNFORGETTABLE, THE GUARDIAN, THE DIVISION, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, and IN JUSTICE. Barry also served as co-executive producer on USA Network’s IN PLAIN SIGHT and consulting producer for CBS’s Emmy-nominated and critically acclaimed THE GOOD WIFE. Barry’s work on LAW & ORDER was honored with a nomination for a Writer’s Guild of America award for Best Episode, Dramatic Series and a Silver Gavel Award from the American Bar Association. In addition, he was a member of the writing staff of LAW & ORDER’s Emmy and Peabody Award winning season. Barry has an incredibly deep experience in the world of procedural drama television and will be sharing what he knows exclusively with the Stage 32 community. Barry will walk you through procedural drama television, how it fits in to today’s market and to best write in this genre in order to break into the space and create compelling television. After breaking down the actual difference between serialized and procedural dramas, Barry will give an honest appraisal of the market today and the pros and cons of writing procedural television within it. He’ll walk you through the main types of procedural series currently on air and will then lay out some of the main elements any procedural pilot needs. He’ll provide tips and strategies to best write in this space, including choosing the right lead character, how to best outline, and what the Golden Rule of procedurals is. Barry will conclude the webinar with a case study of the pilot script of THE GOOD WIFE, which he served as a consulting producer on. Using the lessons he taught, he’ll explain why this pilot was so successful and how you can use the script as inspiration for your own procedural project. Praise for Barry's Stage 32 Webinar "Barry presented information that I needed to know whether I was aware of that or not before the webinar. I like that Barry used a script that was available to us ahead of time and knew where he was going to in that script to show us what he wanted us to learn. It was one of the best webinars I have taken." - Bev I. "Barry gave great examples to distinguish the different types of procedural drama from serialized drama. They were easy to understand especially since Barry focused in on the key elements of the procedural drama. I did like the fact that Barry broke the pilot into "chunks" and talked about each one separately." - Susan S. "Barry spoke very personally and also gave good examples and applied his experience to today. Also he was very focused on what to do to succeed but he also was honest that you have to love writing. He came across as smart and no nonsense but also very warm and kind, which seems like a great combination for a writer. Maybe that's why he has been so successful!" - Deborah B. "Barry was very likable, down to earth, forthright. I felt that he really cared about helping writers." - Elise M.
How to Use the Power of Social Media to Market and Promote Your Low Budget Film or Project
Love it or hate it, the power of social media is undeniable. Harnessing the power of social media is one of the great secret weapons many producers, filmmakers, screenwriters and other creatives and professionals use to draw attention to and market their films. Learning how to correctly use social media can not only win you an audience for your film or project, it can also get you much desired attention from managers, agents, sales agents, distributors and other people of influence who can help you get your film seen and move the needle on your creative and professional career. And the greatest thing about social media? It's free. It won't impact your budget in the slightest, yet the return on your time investment can be greater than any money you can spend. But you have to know how to navigate the landscape. Make no mistake, you need this important tool in your arsenal and we'll show you how to wield its power. There is nothing more valuable than a large enthusiastic and vocal audience of supporters. Having people champion you and your film carries with it social proof. The more people who spread the word and the more advocates they can recruit, the more marketing and promotional power you have. This is why studios spend millions of marketing dollars on social media. But you can get the same results without spending a dime. And in this day and age, social proof is valued almost as much as IP. It brings you and your project heat. It says to managers, agents, sales agents, distributors, producers, financiers and other executives and decision makers that you have something worth paying attention to. Something of value. Something they need to see. Jennifer Winberg has over 10 years of branding and entertainment experience in digital strategy, social media, and integrated marketing. Recently, she launched the Digital Marketing Team for the Day and Date Film Division - Lionsgate Premiere. She's worked on a wide range of films from limited theatrical, VOD, independent, and home entertainment releases. Jennifers has worked with mini and major studios such as: Disney, Fox, Sony, Lionsgate, and Gravitas Ventures. She has designed and run film social media campaigns that have gone viral and have drawn millions of eyeballs. Jennifer will take you through all the reasons you need social media for your film, from SEO purposes, to driving an audience, to giving you the opportunity to tell your story and the story of your film to a mass audience. She will teach you which social media platforms are the right fit for your film and will give you the best return on your time investment. She will teach you about messaging and how to stay on point. She will discuss different types of media and how to utilize each to maximize your exposure and return engagement on each platform. If you are thinking about hiring someone to handle your social media, Jennifer will show you what to look for in a hire. She will take you through various campaigns and tactics, bartering, cross promoting and enlisting your cast and crew to get involved. She will take away your anxiety of the time commitment you may believe social media involves by showing you various social timing and simple graphic design programs. And to make it all easier, Jennifer will present some case studies designed to spark ideas and remove your fears. "Ok, I took this because I HATE social media. Now I see that I allowed that concept to fester and grow irrationally. Jennifer presented this information in a way that made an optimist out of this skeptic. I'm not even going to dip my toe in, I'm diving in head first." - Maria N "Masterful." - Anthony C. "As comprehensive as it gets." - Martina J. "Social is littered with abandoned film accounts. I have always had success promoting my films on social media because I make sure to post great content and to be engaging. But, wow, there is SO much I was missing out on. So many things I did not know, overlooked, or simply didn't consider. Jennifer had me scribbling pages of notes. My mind is spinning. Can't wait to put all this information into practice." - Laura D.
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