Learn from a top industry expert who has worked on hit projects like THE ACT, SHIMMER LAKE, INSIDIOUS: THE RED DOOR, GLASS, CREED 2, and more!

You will receive exclusive scripts, including BUFFY THE VAMPIRE, which will be used as a case study!

A tight, well-crafted script is your ticket to standing out. Executives and producers are eager to discover scripts that are concise, impactful, and easy to engage with. A focused and streamlined script shows you’re not only a skilled storyteller but also understand the value of keeping your audience’s attention from start to finish. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you’ll learn how to reduce your page count while maintaining the emotional depth and narrative power of your story, ensuring your script rises to the top and gets noticed!

But we all know that cutting down a script can feel like an impossible task. Writing is all about saying a lot with very little, and that’s often easier said than done. Whether you’re just starting out or already have some experience, it’s easy to fall into the trap of overexplaining or letting scenes drag on. Fortunately, your instructor, Nadya Panfilov, will guide you through these common challenges. In this webinar, Nadya will share key strategies to help you navigate the process, including understanding the WHAT, WHY, and HOW of writing, mastering the three-act structure, and identifying the areas where trimming is most effective. You’ll also learn how to avoid indulgent writing, focus on active language, and keep your characters and story at the forefront.

Guiding you through this webinar is Nadya Panfilov, a literary manager and producer with years of experience in the industry. She has worked on hit projects like THE ACT and SHIMMER LAKE, and her clients have contributed to successful films such as INSIDIOUS: THE RED DOOR, GLASS, and CREED 2, along with acclaimed TV shows like SUCCESSION, THE AMERICANS, and YouTube's 101 WAYS TO GET REJECTED. Nadya has a sharp eye for what works and knows exactly what it takes to get your script noticed. She’ll help you analyze individual scenes, identify areas for trimming, and ensure you’re cutting with purpose—preserving the emotional depth and narrative power of your story.

In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you’ll dive deep into the craft of screenwriting and discover exactly how to create a strong structure, keep your writing tight, and know when to make the tough cuts. You’ll walk away with the skills to identify and fix areas where your script can be trimmed for maximum impact, including mastering the use of slug lines, transitions, and managing large blocks of text and so much more. By the end of this session, you’ll have actionable tools to reduce your page count, sharpen your story, and ensure your script stands out as lean, compelling, and ready to grab the attention of producers and executives!

Live Q&A with Nadya! 

PLUS! You will receive the following scripts:

• The Original Beck & Woods 
• A Quiet Place 
• Buffy The Vampire, which will be used as a case study!

The Craft of Screenwriting

• Screenwriting vs Writing - Two different heads of the same hydra.
• The Craft of Screenwriting - What is the shape of a script?
• The 3 Act Formula - Plan and plant your beats.
• The “Je Ne Sais Quoi” of Writing - Staying focused on the page to reduce page count.

The WHAT, The WHY, The HOW of Writing

• The WHAT - Helps find focus:
  • Understanding the ulterior, underlying message of the story.
  • Understanding the characters and their arcs.
• The WHY - Helps keep focus and conciseness:
  • Why are you telling this story?
  • Why are you telling this story now?
  • Why are you the one to tell this story?
• The HOW - Helps format focus:
  • Do you understand your genre and what it needs?
  • Different genres warrant different page counts!

Further Surgery

• Looking at individual scenes:
  • Identifying how each scene progresses plot, emotional arc, or both.
  • Combining scenes and killing your darlings.
  • Making sure characters and story are always at the forefront.
  • Avoiding indulging your own voice.
• Effectively using formatting tools:
  • Slug lines, transitions, etc.
  • Managing large blocks of text.
  • Using active language.

Q&A with Nadya

• Aspiring, intermediate and experienced screenwriters looking to tighten structure and reduce page count
• Directors and producers wanting a deeper understanding of scriptwriting
• Showrunners refining scripts for pacing and emotional depth
• Script consultants, agents, and managers improving their script-editing knowledge
• Directors and producers collaborating with writers to streamline scripts for production