Tawnya Bhattacharya is a writer, writing instructor, and founder of Script Anatomy, a writing school that helps television writers reach their writing goals and elevate their craft through classes, workshops and private consultations. Bhattacharya’s teaching career began at Writers Boot Camp from 2005 – 2008. Having experienced gaps in continuing education for screenwriters as both a student and a teacher, Tawnya found she had both the craft to be able to quickly discern what was missing and the rhetoric to articulate it to students, so she created Script Anatomy — a unique curriculum to give writers practical development, writing and rewriting tools based on her own process. She launched Script Anatomy in 2011. Uniquely, Bhattacharya brings both a ten-year teaching background and professional writing experience to Script Anatomy’s curriculum. She most recently has guest-taught workshops with ISA (International Screenwriters Association) and the Disney | ABC Writing Program and writes a column in Script Magazine called “Your TV Guide.“ Currently a Writer/Producer on Freeform’s “Famous in Love,” Tawnya has also written on NBC’s The Night Shift, TNT’sPerception, The Client List at Lifetime and on USA’s Fairly Legal, with her writing partner, Ali Laventhol. Repped by ICM Partners, Heroes and Villains Entertainment and Morris Yorn, they are former NBC Writers on the Verge fellows, winning one of 8 spots out of 1200 applicants. The team also made semi-finalists for the ABC Disney Fellowship before getting a job that took them out of the running, and have developed projects with Battle Plan, Fresh Ink, Cinestar and Lionsgate. Tawnya was also a FOX Writer’s Intensive fellow (FOX optioned her semi-autobiographical pilot). With Script Anatomy, Bhattacharya has helped hundreds of writers succeed. Some have won contests, festivals, and fellowships, others secured representation, or been hired for assignments. Others still have graduated from Script Anatomy to go onto their first staff jobs on network and cable shows, even selling TV pilots, screenplays, and novels as a result. Full Bio »
This special fellowship season workshop will focus on the architecture of the dreaded fellowship submission materials!
Your host, Tawnya Bhattacharya, an alumna of both NBC Writers on the Verge and the FOX Writers Intensive, is currently a writer/producer on Freeform's "Famous in Love," and has also written on TNT's “Perception," NBC's "The Night Shift, Lifetime's "The Client List," and "Fairly Legal" for USA with her writing partner, Ali Laventhol. Tawnya has also taught for the Disney|ABC Writing Program for the past two years. She is repped by ICM Partners, Heroes and Villains Entertainment and Morris Yorn.
Over the years Tawyna has taught hundreds of writers on how to put together successful, winning bios & essays. In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, Tawnya will deconstruct successful fellowship bios & essays, analyze why they work, and help you articulate the symbiotic relationship between your life story and your brand as a writer in 500 words or less. Here's just some of the things we’ll cover:
PLUS! You will get handouts:
Bhattacharya’s company, Script Anatomy is a TV writing school taught solely by working TV writers and has launched the careers of many writers. Alum have been in every single Fellowship Program (including 5 in 2016/2017) and have sold pilots and staffed on shows such as American Crime, The Handmaid’s Tale, Chicago Justice, The Blacklist, Blindspot, The 100 and more… For more info about Script Anatomy, visit www.scriptanatomy.com
Tawnya Bhattacharya
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Love is in the air in the Writers' Room! We are kicking off a brand new month this week with the Breakdown Webcast: Writing Romantic Comedies! Jason was speaking with a Senior Vice President of Development at an A-List production company who said, "Every studio executive is asking me for Rom Coms!" If you look at recent trends, it is clear they are on a come back. We will break down the beats of a Romantic Comedy so that you as a writer approach writing without falling into the trap of tired cliches. We will also explore how to take the storytelling conventions and turn them on their head. We will examine films and series including When Harry Met Sally, 500 Days of Summer, The Apartment, Knocked Up, What Women Want and more to find out what makes these projects work and how we can apply those same principles to our writing!
Exclusive to Stage 32, Chris Lockhart, one of the most legendary and revered agency story editors in the business teaches loglines to the community. Chris has read over 60,000 scripts in his career for WME and has the database to prove it! A logline is the way your screenplay is introduced to the world. It’s rare that anyone will read your script without knowing something about it first. A-List Actors, producers, directors, managers, agents, financiers and development execs will often lean on hearing a logline before ever asking for or agreeing to read a screenplay. If your logline doesn't sing, the script usually doesn't get opened. Even more important, if the logline doesn't work, it's a signal to those who read screenplays for a living that the script probably doesn't either. Delving into a logline can help you identify problematic elements of a screenplay, enabling solutions to fix them. Simply put, there is no one better to help teach this subject than Chris Lockhart. As Story Editor at William Morris Endeavor (WME), the world's largest diversified talent agency, Chris has curated projects for A-list actors such as Denzel Washington, Liam Neeson, Mel Gibson, Matt Damon, Rachel McAdams, Ben Affleck, and countless others over the last 20+ years. He's accomplished this reading and exploring through piles of screenplays, magazines, books, old movies, TV shows, and pitches in search of potential film projects. If you've seen one of these actors in just about anything, chances are Chris was the first stop for the screenplay (of which he's read over 60,000), but only after he heard the logline and deemed it worth of a read! Chris began his career at International Creative Management (ICM), where he worked as script consultant to legendary talent agent Ed Limato, who represented industry giants such as Mel Gibson, Richard Gere, Michelle Pfeiffer, Liam Neeson, and Robert Downey, Jr. Chris later moved to the venerable William Morris Agency, which eventually merged with Endeavor to form WME. Chris is the Story Editor for A-list talent such as Denzel Washington, Michelle Williams, Richard Gere and more! As an educator and consultant, Chris has lectured around the world on the craft and business of screenwriting, and he has advised on countless feature films. Chris graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with an MFA in dramatic writing and was awarded the school's Public Service Prize for his dedication to public education. He is an adjunct professor at National University's Professional Screenwriting Program. He has also taught at LA Valley College and UCLA. His writing workshop The Inside Pitch was filmed for Los Angeles television, earning him an Emmy Award nomination. Chris's creative counsel has been used on hundreds of hit films Chris is a member of the Writers Guild, the Producers Guild, and the Television Academy. In a jammed packed and often hilarious webinar (trust us, Chris is a character and a half), Chris will not only teach you how to write a logline, but how to tailor it in such a way that it is appealing to talent, representation and the money. He'll break down the mechanics of a logline to determine what makes one work. He'll show you what aspects A-List actors, directors, managers, agents, producers, financiers and development execs look for in a logline that makes them want to take the next step and read your script. Chris will then take you on a broader discussion of the elements of successful screenwriting and how your logline can betray what you've written or reveal the shortcomings in your script. As a bonus, Chris will then play a recording of an interactive logline pitch shop he recently held where he broke down several loglines to show what worked and what didn't. All this followed by a fun and informative Q&A filled with even more actionable information. "Amazing seminar loved it. It was the best I have ever watched or ordered!" - Robert M. "Chris was clear, concise, helpful, and focused. Loved his enthusiasm and humor." - Lori H. "Oh my god, I was laughing all the way through. In between writing about 10 pages of notes. SO much fun and a wealth of knowledge." - Denise G.
Back by popular demand, Stage 32 Next Level Education brings you Max Adams, 20-year working screenwriter and acclaimed author who has worked with Columbia Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Universal Pictures, Walt Disney Studios, and Tri-Star Pictures! You will also learn about static locations vs. clear, wider, more open locations and how they can work for and against you in your writing. You will also have a clear understanding on how to use motion and action to move your screenplay forward. You will walk away having all the tools and techniques necessary to apply to fiction, nonfiction, screenplays, teleplays, and stage plays to make visuals and action “real” on the page - an art unto itself and something that can separate your work from the pack. You will learn how to create compelling visuals on the page that will catapult your writing into an unforgettable — and visual — experience for your readers on the page, and your audience on the screen. The immediacy of motion on a film screen, and its necessity, sets film writing apart from every other written medium on the planet. And is the difference on the script page — and film screen — between selling — or that script dying in a drawer, and that film never being made. PRAISE FOR MAX'S TEACHINGS: “Max Adams is the kind of smart, engaging teacher that made me want to be a better writer — and she helped me do it.” – Alvaro Rodriguez, Machete, From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series “Max Adams is the real deal. I’ve taken three of her classes so far and they’ve upped my game as an author and a screenwriter. I still refer to her class lectures as I work on new projects. Max offers real tools you will continue to use over and over again in your career.” – Doug Solter, Skid, My Girlfriend Bites, Legends “You laid the foundation, Max. Best teacher ever.” - Debi Yazbeck, 2015 Tracking Board Launchpad Feature Winner “Max Adams is one of the most knowledgeable and talented people in screenwriting that I know, all writers need to hear what Max Adams has to say.” – Kerry Valderrama, Garrison, Sanitarium “The brilliance of taking Max Adams’ classes is that you start seeing improvement in your writing almost immediately. She has that indescribable knack for finding methods and exercises and examples that break open your understanding of how to be the best writer you can be, how to improve on your voice without mimicry, and how to get your story on the page in such a way that you start getting those “wow” responses… and sales. Not long after Max’s classes, I sold a three book deal to St. Martin’s Press on a pre-empt, hit the USA Today Bestseller list, and am now considering offers on my fourth book.” – Toni McGee Causey,Charmed and Dangerous, Girls Just Wanna Have Guns, When A Man Loves A Weapon “I’ve taken all of Max’s classes and quite simply, her focused methods and attention to detail blow every other screenwriting class out of the water.” – Jules Howe, Best Comedy Screenplay Austin Film Festival, Best Family Film Screenplay “The input I got from Max Adams lifted my script, “Redemption,” from a SemiFinalist to a Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting award winner. She is smart, savvy, experienced, and generous. She is a fabulous teacher. If you’ve got what it takes, she will pull it out of you. ” – Patricia Burroughs, Winner Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting
Learn how to best structure your feature film screenplay with the Creative and Production Executive at Whitewater Films, which has produced films for Netflix, Showtime, Paramount Classics, Samuel Goldwyn Films, CNN Films and more! PLUS! You'll receive script downloads of PARASITE, GREEN BOOK and MYSTIC RIVER. Writing a great feature screenplay is a gargantuan effort, and putting together something like this doesn’t just happen willy nilly. No matter how good of an idea you have, how fantastic your characters are, or how mind boggling your plot twist is at the end, none of it matters without a solid story structure. Structure is often the hardest aspect of writing for screenwriters of all levels and requires a large amount of discipline and a deep understanding of the craft. But no other elements of your script come together unless they can rest on this crucial foundation. Whether you’re working on your very first screenplay or already have many produced and under your belt, spending time better understanding and improving how you structure your film scripts is worth its weight in gold. Ask any producer, manager, coverage reader, or gatekeeper of any kind—out of the thousands of scripts they read and the countless issues and problems they come across, no issue is more prevalent in a writer’s screenplay submission than their failure to effectively structure and plot out their story. It makes sense; implementing a tight story structure is HARD, a delicate and complex balancing process that is hard for ANYONE to nail. Yet it’s for this reason that mastering story structure is even more important—if you can present a screenplay with a rock-solid story structure, you’re instantly able to stand out and get your script noticed and considered. Sarah Cornelius serves as Creative and Production Executive at award-winning Whitewater Films, helmed by director-producer Rick Rosenthal (HALLOWEEN II, BAD BOYS, TRANSPARENT). This approach has resulted in Whitewater producing numerous notable films which have won Independent Spirit Awards, the Sundance Directing Award, a Primetime Emmy, as well as collecting nominations for an Oscar and the Sundance Grand Jury Prize. Whitewater has produced projects for Paramount Classics, Netflix, Showtime, IFC, Samual Goodwyn Films, The Orchard, CNN Films and more. Whitewater Films recently completed their feature STANDING UP, FALLING DOWN starring Billy Crystal & Ben Schwartz with first-time director Matt Ratner. Their film, THE LAST SHIFT premiered at Sundance 2020 with two time Oscar-nominee Richard Jenkins. In addition they produced FIRST GIRL I LOVED (Sundance winner), HALFWAY THERE (Sundance Episodic Showcase winner) and SMALL ENGINE REPAIR (SXSW premiere). Whitewater is releasing two features in 2021. The critically acclaimed festival favorite THE BOY BEHIND THE DOOR will release on AMC-owned horror streamer SHUDDER on July 29th. The second feature, SMALL ENGINE REPAIR starring Jon Bernthal and Shea Whigham has been acquired by Vertical Entertainment, release details TBA. Sarah has been involved with development on each of Whitewater's projects and has the ability to communicate conceptual notes in a direct and effective manner. Sarah will use her extensive experience evaluating scripts and discovering stories to delve into how you can master story structure for your own feature film screenplay will use notable past screenplays as examples as she breaks down, act by act, the elements necessary to turn your script into something special. She’ll begin by discussing three-act structure in general and explain why it’s necessary as your begin developing your script. She’ll also teach you some of the biggest elements needed for effective story development, including world building, effective characters, stakes, theme, and tone. Next, Sarah will zoom in on act one and explain how to master introductions and the inciting incident as well as spotlighting your central question. She’ll also reveal the most common pitfalls she sees in act one. Sarah will do the same for acts two and three, spending time to go over complications and escalations, transitions, subplots and turning points, effective revelations, climaxes and resolutions. Throughout, Sarah will be drawing from the Oscar-winning screenplay of PARASITE. PLUS! You'll receive exclusive handouts to help you structure your feature film screenplay. Downloads include the scripts for: PARASITE GREEN BOOK MYSTIC RIVER Praise for Sarah's Stage 32 Webinar "Just a ton of information from someone that is clearly on the 'inside' of the industry." -Kerry B. "Sarah was spot on about structure, It aligns with everything else i have learned, seen, experienced.: -David G. "She was informative and great." -Lauren F.
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 on-demand 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.
Learn how you can begin your career as a screenwriter from the founder of Leigh Hill Management, a top literary management company with clients who have worked at AppleTV, Showtime, and more. It’s the dream of many to have a career as a writer for TV or film, to be able to make a living creating worlds and telling stories. However finding success as a writer is rarely easy, no matter how talented you are. Once you’re able to get your script into the hands of someone who can do something real with it, your script can speak for itself. But until then, you have to strive to get your work read and make sure it stands out from the others. This can be very tough. Without a professional, targeted approach, you could have the talent and the drive for a successful and sustained career as a writer but never get the opportunity. Once you’ve worked on your craft and put the finishing touches on a script you’re proud of, it’s important to remember your job as a writer is not yet done. You still need to get your script into the right hands and make sure you stand out from the crowd. There’s no singular blueprint to get discovered and find success as a writer. Every writer’s story is different and often involves a bit of luck and happenstance. That said, there are many paths available that working writers can take advantage of. Making use of opportunities like notes services, coverage and scores, competitions, script hosting services, festivals, networking, queries, and more, can help get you on the right track as a writer and help attract the attention of busy managers, agents, and producers. Ashley Berns is a long-time literary manager who worked at respected management company Circle of Confusion for 15 years before opening his own company, Leigh Hill Management. Ashley also serves as executive producer for the Showtime comedy series WORK IN PROGRESS. Over his career, Ashley has worked with a slew of talented writer and helped them find success and build their creative career, and will share what he knows exclusively with the Stage 32 community. In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, Ashley will go through the nuts and bolts and provide you with an introduction of how to build your own career in screenwriting. He will discuss what you should always have in your screenwriting “tool kit” including script formatting and other materials to have at your disposal. He’ll explain literary representation and the difference between a manager, an agent, and a lawyer and how they work together. He’ll also delve into whether you need representation in the first place. Next Ashley will talk about networking and how to come across professional when speaking with others. Finally Ashley will teach you how best to get noticed, including writing cold queries and using opportunities like festivals, competitions, script hosting, and script coverage to advance your career. Expect to leave with a much clearer idea of paths to take to better approach your writing career and strategies to better find clear success and get noticed. Praise for Ashley's Stage 32 Teaching “I've always dreamed of becoming a screenwriter but never really knew how to start until this webinar. Big, big thanks to Ashley for sharing his experience and wisdom." - Phil D. "As someone who has been at screenwriting for a couple of years, I found this webinar to be immensely rewarding and useful." - Chris B. "Everyone from professional screenwriters to anyone remotely interested in screenwriting should take this. Ashley is so full of information and knowledge, he's really a fantastic resource." - Patrick H.