Private, interactive 5-part lab on Zoom with Award-Winning Screenwriter & AI Expert Joshua Young

Work Directly on Your Script Using AI Tools to Sharpen Structure and Voice

Only 2 spots remain! Limited spots available!

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

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the creative process, and as a storyteller, you’re right in the middle of that shift. Whether you write features, pilots, or short films, AI is rapidly becoming an essential tool for brainstorming, structuring, and testing story ideas faster than ever before. But without the right guidance, it can also dilute your originality and weaken your voice. This exclusive Stage 32 lab is designed to help you do the opposite—to harness AI in a way that strengthens your imagination, sharpens your storytelling instincts, and keeps your creative voice at the center of every scene you write!

Many creatives fall into common traps when first using AI: vague prompting, relying on the first draft it generates, or letting it become the writer instead of the assistant. These mistakes often lead to generic stories and mechanical voices. In this lab, you’ll learn how to use AI with purpose—directing it the same way you would any creative collaborator. Through frameworks like Save the Cat, The Hero’s Journey, and real film examples, you’ll learn how to identify weak story beats, deepen emotional truth, and build dynamic characters using effective prompting strategies. You’ll discover how to make AI work for you, not instead of you.

Your instructor, Joshua Young, brings a rare combination of creative expertise and technological insight to this evolving craft. A multi-award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker whose credits include work for Netflix, PBS, OWN, and TLC, Joshua has helped countless writers and filmmakers integrate AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Midjourney into their creative process. As both a storyteller and an AI consultant, he understands how to preserve authenticity while embracing innovation. His approach is rooted in one clear belief: AI should enhance creativity, not replace it—and he’ll show you exactly how to achieve that balance.

Across this interactive lab, you’ll work directly on your own script—diagnosing structure, experimenting with beats, sharpening dialogue, and deepening your characters’ emotional core. You’ll test bold ideas, identify hidden gaps in your story, and build a sustainable workflow that combines human intuition with AI precision. By the end, you’ll walk away with practical tools, a personalized prompt library, and the confidence to use AI as a creative ally—empowering you to tell richer, smarter, and more emotionally resonant stories than ever before.

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 your Stage 32 Educator and given a questionnaire to fill out and send back to them. You will have access to your Educator for the duration of your class by email to ask them 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!

PLUS! You will receive

• "AI Readiness" primer (sent via email two weeks prior to class starting)
• Personalized prompt template

Praise for Joshua's previous education with Stage 32:

"AMAZING information. Joshua Young clearly knows his stuff and does an excellent job of teaching us what he knows. I feel so much more confident about diving into ChatGpt based on everything I learned today, and I know my scripts will be better because of it."

"Joshua gave a great "current status" overview of AI and gave wonderful specific examples of screenwriting prompts and specific areas where AI was most useful for screenwriters in their creative process. Greatly appreciate Joshua's handout thoroughness that we will be getting too! Thanks Joshua! Go Virgos!"

"As a total amateur, Joshua's introduction was very helpful for me. What can the system do, and how do you get the most out of the system."

WEEK 1:  Diagnosing Your Story + AI as Collaborator - Reframing AI as Creative Partner - "Tools Not Terminators" 

This opening session establishes the foundational philosophy of using AI strategically while  maintaining creative control. Writers learn the critical difference between AI as collaborator  versus ghostwriter, exploring both the technology's capabilities and its current limitations.  Through hands-on diagnosis of their own scripts, students discover how to craft effective  prompts that generate useful insights rather than generic output. The session demystifies AI tools  by seeing through all the "hype," while addressing common fears and misconceptions,  empowering writers to see these tools as extensions of their creative process rather than threats to  it. 

In-Class Work: 

• Overview of AI in the creative process: from brainstorming to structural analysis 

• Understanding AI pitfalls: tech limitations and  user mistakes 

• The anatomy of great prompting: Role + Context + Task + Constraints formula 

• Demonstration of key tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Filmustage, and how to choose the right tool  for the task 

• Defining scope and scale in prompts: how budget level, format, and tone shape AI responses 

Hands-On Exercise: 

Writers perform a "Story Health Check" on their own scripts. Using a provided prompt template,  they have AI analyze their script's structure and identify 2-3 weak or unclear beats. In pairs,  students share their AI analysis and discuss whether the feedback aligns with their instincts.  Volunteers share discoveries with the full class while the instructor troubleshoots prompts in  real-time, demonstrating how to refine questions when results miss the mark. 

Takeaway: 

A clear understanding of how to use AI as a collaborator that supports creative clarity instead of  taking creative control. Students leave with a personalized prompt template and homework to  generate 3-5 alternate approaches to one weak beat in their script (exploration only, no  implementation yet).

Q and A with Joshua

WEEK 2:  Story Architecture: Building and Testing Your Structure Using AI to map, stress-test, and strengthen story beats within proven frameworks. 

Writers dive into structural analysis, learning how classical frameworks like Save the Cat, Hero's  Journey, and Story Circle can serve as diagnostic tools for their scripts. Whether your script is a  short film, a screenplay, or pilot script for a new series. This week focuses on using AI to identify  where a script's natural beats align with, or deviate from, time-tested structures, revealing pacing  issues, missing turning points, or unclear character arcs. Rather than forcing scripts into rigid  templates, the goal is to understand why certain beats exist and how to make intentional choices  about when to follow or break convention. Students work on a specific 10-15 page sequence  from their own script, rebuilding it with stronger structural clarity. 

In-Class Work: 

• Framework overview: Save the Cat, Hero's Journey, Story Circle, and global storytelling  structures 

• Why frameworks matter even when you break them: structure as foundation for  experimentation 

• Live demonstration: Mapping a well-known film to Save the Cat beat-by-beat using  ChatGPT or Claude 

• AI for structure: brainstorming core concepts, generating beats, and anchoring them to  frameworks 

• Applying beat-mapping prompts to diagnose rhythm, tension, and turning points 

• BONUS: A preview of what reversing beats that originally followed proper storytelling  frameworks looks like with the goal of seeing story from a fresh perspective. Hands-on  experimentation of beat reordering in Week 4. 

Hands-On Exercise: 

Each writer selects a 10-15 page sequence from their script that needs work (setup, midpoint,  climax, wherever they're stuck). Using guided prompts, they have AI map their sequence to a  chosen framework, identifying where beats align versus where they deviate and noting structural  gaps or pacing issues. In triads, writers share their sequence analysis and collectively brainstorm  2-3 specific solutions. The instructor rotates through groups providing targeted guidance and  addressing common patterns emerging across multiple scripts. 

Takeaway: 

A method for using AI to diagnose structural weaknesses while keeping authorship firmly in the  writer's hands. Students implement ONE structural change in their sequence before Week 3 and  prepare to share 2-3 pages of revised material.

Q and A with Joshua

WEEK 3:  Scene Work:  Deepening Emotion, Sharpening Dialogue, and Finding Your Voice Elevating individual scenes through expansion, compression, and authentic character voice. 

This session moves from macro structure to micro craft, focusing on the building blocks of  cinematic storytelling: scenes. Writers learn when to deepen a moment for emotional impact and  when to compress for pace, character arc, and clarity. Using AI to test dialogue rhythm, explore  subtext, and experiment with point-of-view shifts, students discover how to strengthen resonance  without adding unnecessary plot. The emphasis is on preserving authentic voice, using AI  suggestions as springboards rather than replacements. Writers share their revised sequences from  the previous week's homework and receive real-time class feedback, creating a collaborative  environment where everyone learns from each other's breakthroughs and challenges. 

In-Class Work: 

• Scene expansion and compression techniques: when to deepen vs. when to tighten • Building emotional resonance without adding plot points 

• Using AI to assess dialogue rhythm, subtext, and pacing 

• Testing scene variations: alternate POVs, tonal shifts, sensory texture 

• The danger of over-polishing: keeping your unique voice intact 

• BONUS: Visual AI tools (Midjourney) for shaping tone and mood 

Hands-On Exercise: 

The class begins with a Scene Revision Showcase where 4-5 volunteers read 2-3 pages of their  revised sequences from homework. The group provides real-time feedback while the instructor  highlights what's working and why. Then each writer selects one emotionally pivotal scene and  uses AI prompts to: rewrite it from the antagonist's POV, compress it to one page, expand it with  subtext, and test three alternate dialogue approaches. Partners swap scenes and read each other's  original plus AI variations, discussing which version holds more emotional truth and why. 

Takeaway: 

Practical tools for strengthening emotion, rhythm, and cinematic presence in every scene. Writers  revise their pivotal scene based on the day's discoveries and prepare a 1-page summary: "What's  working in my script now vs. what still needs work" plus 2-3 specific areas for their upcoming  1:1 consultation.

Q and A with Joshua

WEEK 4: Experimentation and Gap-Filling: Breaking Convention with Purpose Using AI to test bold structural choices and identify missing narrative connective tissue. 

The fourth week encourages fearless experimentation. Writers learn to reorder beats, shift  perspective, and explore non-linear structures to discover new emotional impact in their stories.  This session is about giving yourself permission to break your script apart and see what it  reveals, testing ideas you might never try without AI's rapid prototyping capability.  Simultaneously, students learn gap analysis: how to identify the missing connective tissue  between beats, whether that's unclear motivation, weak conflict, or insufficient stakes. The  combination of bold experimentation and precise diagnosis helps writers make their most  significant breakthroughs, often discovering solutions that were hiding in plain sight. 

In-Class Work: 

• Breaking convention: reordering beats for different emotional impact and points of view • Non-linear structures, unreliable narration, and intentional tonal shifts 

• Case study: analyzing how experimental choices serve story in successful films • Gap analysis: using AI to identify missing connective tissue 

• Conflict, stakes, and motivation resources: deepening what drives your characters • When to weigh your gut reaction against the data. 

Hands-On Exercise: 

Writers use AI to boldly experiment with their structure, reordering 3-5 beats (such as starting  with the midpoint, telling the story in reverse, or shifting POV entirely). The goal is exploration  without judgment. In a Gallery Walk, students post their experiments digitally and classmates  tour the work, leaving feedback via comments: "This worked because..." or "I'm confused by..."  Writers then return to their experiments, read the feedback, and decide what revealed something  true about their story. They use AI to fill any gaps the experiments exposed, creating a stronger,  more intentional structure. 

Takeaway: 

Confidence in making bold structural choices that serve your story's unique vision. Students  finalize their 1-page summary of progress and challenges, schedule their 20-minute consultation  slot for Week 5, and submit 2-3 pages of their most improved material.

Q and A with Joshua

WEEK 5: One-on-One Consultations:  Personalized Guidance and Creative Strategy 

Individual mentorship and practical application for ongoing growth. 

The final week consists of individual consultations of approximately twenty minutes each.  Writers bring their refined material—whether a scene, outline, or sequence—and receive  personalized feedback on how to continue using AI intelligently as a professional storytelling  aid, strengthen instinct and structure through deliberate practice, and create a balanced creative  workflow where technology enhances rather than replaces their craft. This is where all the lab  work comes together in a focused, actionable plan tailored to each writer's specific needs and  goals. 

Structure: 

Progress Assessment: Each consultation begins with a discussion of what improved most  dramatically in the writer's script and where the work stands now versus where it started. 

Targeted Problem-Solving: The instructor addresses the 2-3 specific areas the writer identified  in their preparation materials, providing actionable next steps using both AI tools and traditional  craft knowledge. This includes discussing how to continue leveraging AI effectively after the lab  ends. 

Professional Development: The session concludes with guidance on creating a sustainable AI enhanced writing workflow, building a personal prompt library customized to the writer's process  and identifying resources for continued growth. 

Takeaway: 

A personalized roadmap for applying AI as a professional development tool that elevates the  writing process and preserves creative intuition as well as voice. Each writer leaves with clear  next steps, a customized prompt library, and confidence in their ability to continue developing  their script independently.

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 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 Screenwriters, TV writers, and filmmakers who want to learn how to use AI to strengthen story, structure, and character. And is also fir Directors and producers who want to understand how AI can support story development and collaboration.

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

• This lab consists of 5 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 entire duration of the lab 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

• Screenwriters, TV writers, and filmmakers who want to learn how to use AI to strengthen story, structure, and character. 

• Writers developing a feature or pilot script who want hands-on feedback and tools to refine their work.

• Creatives curious about integrating AI into their writing process without losing their authentic voice.

• Directors and producers who want to understand how AI can support story development and collaboration.

• Story analysts, editors, or consultants looking to expand their toolkit with new AI-based techniques.

• Any storyteller who wants to stay ahead of the curve in an industry where AI literacy is becoming essential.

Session 1: Sunday, December 7, 2025

Session 2: Sunday, December 14, 2025

Session 3: Sunday, December 21, 2025

Session 4: Sunday, January 4, 2026

Session 5: Sunday, January 18, 2026 - No class - One-on-one Zoom sessions with your instructor

Praise for Joshua's previous education with Stage 32:

"AMAZING information. Joshua Young clearly knows his stuff and does an excellent job of teaching us what he knows. I feel so much more confident about diving into ChatGpt based on everything I learned today, and I know my scripts will be better because of it."

"Joshua gave a great "current status" overview of AI and gave wonderful specific examples of screenwriting prompts and specific areas where AI was most useful for screenwriters in their creative process. Greatly appreciate Joshua's handout thoroughness that we will be getting too! Thanks Joshua! Go Virgos!"

"As a total amateur, Joshua's introduction was very helpful for me. What can the system do, and how do you get the most out of the system."