Outlining Your Feature Screenplay
Start Learning
Satisfaction Rate:
Webinar hosted by: Brian Herskowitz
Screenwriter & Producer of over 3 dozen feature films and television shows
Brian is a writer, producer, and teacher, who produced the feature films BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT (co-writer), BUCKY AND THE SQUIRRELS from director-writer Allan Katz, MUSICAL CHAIRS directed by Susan Seidelman, and TIO PAPI directed by Fro Rojas, which Brian co-wrote. As a writer, Brian has completed well over a dozen feature films. His first screenplay KAMI HITO E (THE THIN LINE) was based on his experience as an international Judo champion training in Tokyo. From there he continued to write, and his first produced feature was a low-budget slasher titled DARKROOM. He’s just completed his first novel and is working on his second. He wrote and directed the award-winning short film ODESSA OR BUST starring SEINFELD’S Jason Alexander and RUSHMORE’S Jason Schwartzman. His new short content series MURRAY GHOST which he directed, produced, wrote, and edited is currently making the rounds on the festival circuit and has been honored at Festigious Fest and Just4Shorts festivals. As director/writer/producer, he is slated to begin production on a new low-budget horror film BEFORE MOONRISE in the late fall 0f 2022. In TV, his credits include a staff writing position on the NBC sit-com BLOSSOM, multiple episodes of the syndicated series HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS, and ACAPULCO HEAT, the HBO hit comedy DREAM ON, CBS’s RENEGADE, THE EXILE, MURDER, SHE WROTE, the TV movie MURDER OF MY AUNT, the FOX Network’s YOUNG HERCULES, and CBS’s critically acclaimed was series TOUR OF DUTY (associate producer) where he was recognized by the TV academy for his contribution to the show by the Emmy winning post-production sound department. Brian co-wrote the FOX pilot MANTIC with Jason Alexander. Also, he worked as a punch-up writer on BOB PATTERSON and LISTEN UP. For the last thirty years, Brian has taught screenwriting, first with WRITER’S BOOT CAMP, then with UCLA EXTENSIONS, and for the last fifteen years, he has held the post of Lead Faculty for the prestigious BOSTON UNIVERSITY in LOS ANGELES WRITER IN HOLLYWOOD graduate degree program. His scriptwriting textbook, PROCESS TO PRODUCT: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR THE SCREENWRITER, is available on Amazon.com and in bookstores. He currently has a nine-episode podcast, IDENTITY THEFT, running on Spotify. This is the first offering from the THRILLING STORIES podcast series. Full Bio »
Webinar Summary
Join veteran screenwriter Brian Herskowitz and receive sample feature script outlines and scenes while learning how and why professional outlining can set your work above the rest!
Are you ready to learn how to write a professional outline for your feature screenplay?
A professional outline for your script is the roadmap you follow to write your first draft and it will save you time, effort and some unnecessary rewriting. It helps you work out the kinks early and feel confident about where you’re headed. And the outline isn't just for you. An outline helps any reps, producers, and executives your working with see what you’re going to do with a story before giving you the go-ahead to write the feature film.
In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, you’ll learn how you can increase your earning power by knowing how to craft a strong outline so your work stands out from the competition. Along the way, you’ll receive sample scenes and outlines from the feature films discussed in class that you can take with you for future reference.
Taking you through this vital skill is acclaimed screenwriter Brian Herskowitz, who has completed over a dozen feature films and has been staffed on popular shows like HERCULES and TOUR OF DUTY. He’s worked with top-tier talent, including Academy Award winner Jason Alexander, with whom Brian co-wrote the FOX pilot MANTIC. He’s also the author of the essential screenwriting resource PROCESS TO PRODUCT: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR THE SCREENWRITER.
Brian will teach you the 12 guideposts he developed that you can use to keep from getting lost as you write which ultimately allows you more creative freedom. You’ll cover premise, theme, concept, characters, and structure. All of the elements you need to pen a successful feature screenplay. And he’ll also show you the many real-world uses that your outline will deliver for you.
Don’t miss out on this chance to learn from an accomplished screenwriter with decades of experience and walk away with a practical process that you can use to up your screenwriting game today.
Testimonials for Brian's Teaching and Stage 32 Education
“As a collaborator with Brian and a guest in his class, I am hugely impressed with his screenwriting knowledge. I heartily recommend him and his course.”
- Jason Alexander (Seinfeld, Pretty Woman, Listen Up)
"I have a master's degree and a doctorate, Brian is by far the most caring and best teacher I have ever had."
"The course was everything I needed and then some. An excellent course."
"Mr. Herskowitz is very knowledgeable, patient, and superb at discerning problems and helping us solve them."
"A solid course in which I felt I had learned a LOT by the time it was over."
What You'll Learn
Why should you outline your screenplay first?
- How the outline helps you write the best script
- Real-world uses for the outline
- Why winging it isn’t a good idea.
Preparing to write the outline
- Premise
- Theme
- Concept
- Characters
- Beginning, middle, end
The 12 guideposts
- Introducing the 12 guideposts
- How the guideposts keep you from getting lost.
- Gaining creative freedom.
- Keeping your story well structured but not formulaic
How to use the guideposts for your beat sheet
- What is a beat sheet?
- How the guideposts inform your beat sheet.
- How the beat sheet sets up your outline
The Outline
- How long should it be?
- How much detail do you need?
- Should the outline include dialogue?
- Who’s it for?
- How the outline can help you with rewrites.
Q&A with Brian
About Your Instructor
Brian Herskowitz
FAQs
Q: How do I watch my webinar live?
A: If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Go to Webinar, you will receive an email from Go to Webinar with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. You can also access your webinar link in your purchase history located under settings in the top right-hand corner of your Stage 32 profile.
If you received a confirmation that your webinar is on Zoom, you will receive a separate email from Zoom with further instructions for participating in the live webinar. Your login link will not be in your Stage 32 profile. If you did not receive your link via Zoom please email support@stage32.com.
Q: How do I watch my webinar on demand?
A: You will be able to watch your webinar on demand as many times as you’d like inside your Stage 32 profile. The recording is processed and posted between 24-48 hours after the webinar concludes. You can follow the instructions below.
YOU MUST HAVE A STAGE 32 PROFILE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO – STAGE 32 IS FREE TO JOIN
If You Already Have a Stage 32 Profile:
- Log into your Stage 32 profile
- Click "Settings" in the top right-hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- Choose this webinar and click the link to view
- Go to www.stage32.com
- Create a profile using the SAME email address you used to sign up for this webinar. The email addresses must match in order to watch the webinar.
- Once you have your profile set up, you can view the webinar by clicking "Settings" in the top right hand corner (gear icon)
- Click "Purchase History"
- Choose this webinar and click the link to view
Q: What is the format of a webinar?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Webinars are typically 90-minute educational broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32. Your webinar will be taught by a working industry professional with in-depth teaching on a topic. If you are able to attend live you will be able to ask your Stage 32 Educator questions during Q&A.
Q: What are the system requirements to watch my webinar live?
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 10.9 (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 webinar. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer.
Q: What if I cannot attend the live webinar?
A: If you cannot attend a live webinar or purchase an on demand webinar, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A.
Q: Will I have access to the webinar afterward to re-watch?
A: Yes! Like all Stage 32 education, after the purchase of a live or on demand webinar, you will have on-demand access to the recording.
Q: How do I get a copy of the handouts provided?
A: If the webinar you take included handouts you can find them as downloads underneath your on demand video. You must be logged into your Stage 32 profile to view the video and get the handouts by clicking settings in the top right hand corner, then clicking purchase history.
Q: What if I need accessibility and accommodations?
A: Email support@stage32.com to request accommodations.
Thanks for your loyalty to Stage 32 Education. We value having you in the Stage 32 community.
If you have any further questions, we are always happy to help. Please contact Stage 32 support at support@stage32.com.
Relevant Tags
Share with friends:
Questions?
Reviews Average Rating: 5 out of 5
-
Jessica Nicole Excellent webinar. I brought this sometime ago, but didn't watch it until now. Packed with valuable and tangible information that can serve both aspiring and experienced screenwriters.
Other education that may be of interest to you:
How To Use An Inciting Incident For Maximum Effect In Your Screenplay
Learn how to supercharge your screenplays by properly using your "inciting incidents" from a writer/producer who has worked with HBO, Universal, Fox, CBS, and more! PLUS! You will receive exclusive handouts to help you in crafting your own inciting incidents to take your screenwriting to the next level! We all know that moment in our favorite films that hooks us in - the moment the status quo drastically changes for our main characters and propels our protagonists into the heart of the story. This moment is called the “inciting incident” and is arguably the most critical moment in any screenplay. When legendary filmmaker Billy Wilder said about screenwriting "if you have a problem with the third the real problem is in the first act" he was referring to a screenplay's inciting incident. However, many writers don't maximize the effect of their "inciting incident" properly leading to other issues throughout their scripts. So what constitutes an inciting incident that supercharges your screenplay and what differentiates it from other major plot points in your story? How can you create a powerful, meaningful and properly placed inciting incident in your story that will set your script apart from the rest and truly engage your reader? In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you’ll also learn how to craft a compelling inciting incident for your story that will set your script up for success. Teaching you this key screenwriting fundamental is veteran film and television writer and producer Brian Herskowitz. Brian has worked on over 2 dozen films and television shows (HBO, FOX, CBS, NBC, UNIVERSAL and more) and he's bringing his experience to the Stage 32 community to help you improve your craft! PLUS! You’ll receive exclusive handouts to help you in creating your inciting incident. Downloads include: Definition of terms Copies of examples from various scripts, including Avatar and Hereditary. Excerpts from the book PROCESS TO PRODUCT: From Concept to Script: A Practical Guide for the Screenwriter. Brian will teach you how to define, set, and make the most of your inciting incident by giving you tools, exercises, and examples to put your script and protagonists on the right path. This webinar will help you take your screenwriting to the next level. Testimonials for Brian's Teaching and Stage 32 Education “As a collaborator with Brian and a guest in his class, I am hugely impressed with his screenwriting knowledge. I heartily recommend him and his course.” -- Jason Alexander (Seinfeld, Pretty Woman, Listen Up) "I have a master's degree and a doctorate, Brian is by far the most caring and best teacher I have ever had." -- Alan J. "The course was everything I needed and then some. An excellent course." -- Katie R. "Mr. Herskowitz is very knowledgeable, patient, and superb at discerning problems and helping us solve them." -- Sandra O. "A solid course in which I felt I had learned a LOT by the time it was over." -- Peter L.
4-Part Screenwriting Class: The Fundamentals of Story and Screenwriting Structure
4-PART IN-DEPTH CLASS (OVER 8 HOURS OF EDUCATION) Join veteran screenwriter Brian Herskowitz and receive sample feature script outlines and scenes while learning how and why professional outlining can set your work above the rest! Includes Exclusive Handouts! You may have heard the screenwriting phrase “story is structure.” Many writers reject the idea as they feel it’s too rigid or restrictive, holding you back from being your creative self. But it’s actually the opposite - the structure if your friend! In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand class, you’ll learn how to formulate your idea, concept, and theme, using the principles of structure that will allow you to be your most creative self and create the best story. Over four sessions, you’ll learn how to develop your script using story as your guide as you build from concept to beat sheet and, ultimately, an outline for your feature script. Outlines aren’t just documents that help you blueprint your script for when you start writing. They’re also documents that many development executives require as they work on projects with writers and something managers use to asses their clients’ progress. Taking you through this vital process is writer and producer Brian Herskowitz. Brian has worked on over 2 dozen feature films and TV shows for HBO, Universal, CBS, NBC and more. He’s worked with top-tier Hollywood talent, such as Academy Award-winner Jason Alexander and RUSHMORE’S Jason Schwartzman. Now, he brings his decades of hands-on experience to you in this Stage 32 class. Brian will provide you with sample script breakdowns, including SHREK, a cheat sheet of his 12 Guideposts for a great screenplay, and more. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from an industry veteran with a proven process for screenwriting success. You’ll finish these sessions with the tools you need to professionally craft your screenplay's story and structure to strengthen every script you write in the future. Testimonials for Brian's Teaching and Stage 32 Education “As a collaborator with Brian and a guest in his class, I am hugely impressed with his screenwriting knowledge. I heartily recommend him and his course.” - Jason Alexander (Seinfeld, Pretty Woman, Listen Up) "I have a master's degree and a doctorate, Brian is by far the most caring and best teacher I have ever had." "The course was everything I needed and then some. An excellent course." "Mr. Herskowitz is very knowledgeable, patient, and superb at discerning problems and helping us solve them." "A solid course in which I felt I had learned a LOT by the time it was over."
Stage 32 4-Session Class: How You Can Develop Memorable Characters and World-Class Dialogue
Learn How To Craft Characters That Pop Off The Screen And Write Dialogue That Resonates With Your Audience From A Writer And Producer Who Has Worked With HBO, FOX, CBS, NBC and More! There is a critical beat in this year's runaway hit film EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE when the lead character Alpha-Waymond declares "Every rejection, every disappointment, has led you here, to this moment. Don't let anything distract you from it." This is a great example of perfectly developed character saying a transcendent and memorable line at just the right time. It isn't an accident. Moments like these are earned on the page through well crafted writing and Stage 32 is here to teach you how you can develop memorable characters and world-class dialogue in your scripts. Brian Herskowitz is a veteran film and television writer and producer who has worked on over 2 dozen films and television shows (with HBO, FOX, CBS, NBC, UNIVERSAL and more) and he's bringing his experience across all formats to the Stage 32 community on this on-demand class! In this interactive four-session class, Brian will delve into what makes a character memorable and then how that special character can lead you to unforgettable dialogue. Brian is going to teach you how creating memorable characters and world-class dialogue can be the difference between a movie or show that’s “fine” and one that’s exceptional. Don't miss this chance to take your writing to the next level and your scripts from good to great! Plus! Brian will provide you with over a dozen exclusive handouts to help develop your characters and dialogue! Downloads include: Selected scenes from the script of THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN Selected scenes from the script of PAN'S LABYRINTH Selected scenes from the script of THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 Praise for Brian's Teaching & Knowledge: “As a collaborator with Brian and a guest in his class, I am hugely impressed with his screenwriting knowledge. I heartily recommend him and his course.” - Jason Alexander (Seinfeld, Pretty Woman, Listen Up) "I have a master's degree and a doctorate, Brian is by far the most caring and best teacher I have ever had." - Alan J. "The course was everything I needed and then some. An excellent course." - Katie R. "Mr. Herskowitz is very knowledgeable, patient, and superb at discerning problems and helping us solve them." - Sandra O. "A solid course in which I felt I had learned a LOT by the time it was over." - Peter L.
The Art of Dialogue: How to Nail Your Character's Voice
Filmed entertainment is visual, and though everyone loves a catchy line, it’s really an exceptional dialogue exchange framed by a character’s choice of action that we remember. Dialogue is one of the clearest ways of exploring your character’s agenda, frame of mind, and emotional state. The best dialogue is able to do even more - and succinctly, sometimes in just a few lines. It lets us know something about the overall theme of your script, as well as unresolved areas ripe for conflict between your protagonist and the other characters: friend, frenemy, and foe… In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, screenwriter/producer/director Brian Herskowitz will walk you through what professional dialogue looks and sounds like. He will guide you through understanding the link between your character and dialogue, how to develop a strong character voice, the art of subtext and making sure you have the right amount of dialogue to move your story forward. Brian is a veteran film and television writer and producer who has worked on over 2 dozen films and television shows (HBO, FOX, CBS, NBC, UNIVERSAL and more) and he's bringing his experience across all the formats to the Stage 32 community! PLUS! To help you with your own writing exercises you will receive: Character Voice handout Strong Dialogue Voice Handout Brainstorm Dialogue Handout Tranformative Dialogue Handout Good Will Hunting Call Back Script The Fabelmans Script The Empire Strikes Back Script The Banshees Of Inisherin Script You do not want to miss out on this chance to learn how to write effective dialogue! Testimonials for Brian's Teaching and Stage 32 Education “As a collaborator with Brian and a guest in his class, I am hugely impressed with his screenwriting knowledge. I heartily recommend him and his course.” - Jason Alexander (Seinfeld, Pretty Woman, Listen Up) "I have a master's degree and a doctorate, Brian is by far the most caring and best teacher I have ever had." - Alan J. "The course was everything I needed and then some. An excellent course." - Katie R. "Mr. Herskowitz is very knowledgeable, patient, and superb at discerning problems and helping us solve them." - Sandra O. "A solid course in which I felt I had learned a LOT by the time it was over." - Peter L.
How to Develop, Pitch and Produce a Premium Unscripted Docuseries for a Streamer or Network
This Webinar has a 100% Satisfaction Rating! It’s undeniable that we’re witnessing a new era of unscripted television. The staggering, cultural success of shows like CHEF'S TABLE, CHEER, RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE, PAMELA: A LOVE STORY, LAST CHANCE U: BASKETBALL, LOVE IS BLIND and PERFECT MATCH signify in no uncertain terms that the appetite is huge for premium docuseries and will likely continue to be for at least the near future. In today’s rapidly evolving television landscape, one of the greatest challenges that producers face is how to develop series that will actually resonate in such an increasingly crowded space. Gone are the days of having an idea, putting a 3-page deck together and pitching it to 30 different networks in the hopes that several of them will make offers to further develop the series. Instead, the most effective way to produce a docu-series in today’s world is to secure many more parts of the package when bringing a new project to market. In a world of talent, access, format and projected story arc, the development of different types of shows require us to ask different questions of ourselves early on and throughout the development process. Doing this and working to stay ahead of the curve can very well situate you for success and put you on your way to produce your own premium docuseries. And, we're thrilled to bring you a Stage 32 Educator who can help you do just that. Andrew Fried is the Founder and President of Boardwalk Pictures, producers of premium non-fiction content for multiple networks and distributors, including Netflix, Showtime, YouTube and many others. A recipient of multiple Emmy wins and nominations (including six nominations and three wins for breakout Netflix hit CHEER just this year), Fried and Boardwalk strive to elevate and expand the idea of documentary television across an ever-growing unscripted landscape. Boardwalk has been responsible for some of the most prestigious unscripted series of the last few years. CHEF'S TABLE, now in its 7th season, received 8 Emmy nominations, won 3 James Beard Awards and the IDA Award for Best Documentary Series. CHEER, also on Netflix, has proven to be one of the platform's biggest successes. Other huge commercial hits include Gwyneth Paltrow's THE GOOP LAB, 7 DAYS OUT, STREET FOOD and LAST CHANCE U (now in its 4th season), the Showtime series ACTION and YouTube’s BEST SHOT. By revealing how the industry works behind popular docuseries and walking you through the entire timeline of what putting together content like this looks like, Andrew will give you clear tools and a practical roadmap you can use to make your own docuseries a reality. Praise for Andrew's Stage 32 Webinar: "Really really great info. As someone who has had success in pitching docuseries before Andrews's information was spot on and I still got new info and ideas out of it!" -Matt R. "Great presentation. One of my top 2 favorite Stage 32 webinars I have attended. -Heather L.
Screenwriters, Producers, Filmmakers - Get Smart, Get Legal, Get Protected - With 40-Page Downloadable Workbook!
"The workbook alone is worth 10 times what the webinar cost. I am in awe. Thank you, Gary." - Antonio T. There's nothing worse than having a screenplay bought or a project with financing get placed on hold because of legal issues that could have been handled at the start. Too many projects have been shelved permanently and will never see the light of day because of conflicts and misunderstandings that could easily have been avoided. Unfortunately, few screenwriters, filmmakers or producers know the right questions that need to be asked and answered in order to protect yourself and your project legally. It doesn't need to be this way, though. There are simple legal steps you can take from the beginning to assure a smooth and steady ride so your focus can be on making the best project possible. Especially for those in creative fields, navigating legal issues can feel overwhelming and confusing, maybe even unnecessary. Yet having a basic legal understanding of how to protect your work and property is incredibly crucial. You need to know how to legally incorporate everyone's input and notes into your script without worrying about losing authorship. You need to know how to set up a partnership for success and why so many people run into trouble when doing so. You need to know when it's okay to agree to work for free or 'on spec' and why it's still vital to have a written agreement. And you need to know when it's okay to talk business on your own behalf. The good news is you don't need to pass the bar in order to ensure you and your projects are in good legal shape. Instead, you just need a little guidance. Producer and attorney Gary W. Goldstein, star of Netflix's The Movies That Made Us, has produced some of the biggest box office hits in film history and has served as a mentor to dozens of prestigious writers, producers, and filmmakers. His credits include PRETTY WOMAN, UNDER SIEGE, THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES, and many more. He's also papered some of the biggest deals in film history. By working as both a producer and entertainment attorney, Gary's knowledge of deal memos and contracts is without peer. He knows all the do's and don'ts, the tips and tricks, and the side streets and alleyways toward making sure that you are not only protected, but getting the benefits and compensation you deserve for your efforts. Now, exclusively for Stage 32, Gary will teach you: A complete "how to" in order to assure that you use a proven and smart approach to protecting yourself legally His 3 rules that should never be broken when entering into deals Whether you should use an agent or an attorney (or both) to negotiate your compensation and benefits on your behalf How to deal with release forms and option agreements How to assure you get everything in writing so there are no surprises or disappointments down the road How to maintain a paper trail of all communication and why it's monumentally important to do so. The realities of maintaining creative control and how to handle the creative contributions of others as well as the pitfalls to avoid when receiving feedback. The qualities of finding a good creative or business partner and the essential questions to ask up front. As if all this wasn't enough, Gary will provide a 40-page interactive workbook exclusive for those who take this webinar. This is an invaluable resource! PRAISE FOR GARY'S TEACHINGS: "Here’s some practical advice for those seeking a career in Hollywood, from someone who really knows what the hell he's talking about." - J.F. Lawton, Screenwriter (PRETTY WOMAN, UNDER SIEGE) "When I met Gary, I had nothing but talent and a drive to succeed. Nine months later, I had my first script option, my first studio writing assignment, and a Writers Guild card. The advice here is worth its weight in gold" - Allison Burnett, Screenwriter & Director (AUTUMN IN NEW YORK, FEAST OF LOVE, GONE AND UNDISCOVERED GYRL) "Again, Stage 32 outdoes itself. What a score landing Gary. He's a legend." Jason R. "Gary, you had me from minute one. Amazing information. And delivered with class and style. -Angela P.
Register / Log In
