Write a Showcase Script
A certificate program of 4 courses
What people are saying about my courses
Craft your script in 19 weeks with plenty of individual feedback from me and an asynchronous classroom (where you don’t have to meet at a specific time, but can check in anytime you wish). This opportunity is limited to only 5-10 writers. Here is what you get in all four courses:
Course materials (in addition to The Screenwriter’s Bible)
Once you complete all four courses and submit your script to me for analysis, you will be awarded a graduation certificate. If your script is not completed by the end of the last course, you can submit it anytime thereafter for the certificate.
There are three ways to proceed with the program.
1. The “Save $100” route – Determine now to take all four courses in sequence and save over $100 for registering for all four courses at once. You can scroll down to the bottom of this page to do that.
2. The “Pick and choose” route – You can register for one course at a time, or you can just pick the one (or ones) that best fits (fit) your needs and register for that (those).
3. The “Cheapest way possible” route – Save money by taking the courses, but not submitting any homework assignments. This is for writers who want to benefit from the instruction and apply the information on their own. However, a certificate cannot be awarded unless a script is submitted at the end.
If the classroom setting, chats, forums, and interaction with other writers is not important to you, consider the individual route. There are fewer opportunities to learn, but you can start now, write at your own rate, get the feedback you need, and achieve your goal—a completed screenplay.
THE 4 COURSES OF THE CERTIFCATE PROGRAM
Note for all courses: A class week runs from Monday to Saturday. The classroom is asynchronous (which means you don’t have to meet at a specific time, but can check in anytime you wish). Homework assignments may be submitted late, but I encourage you to stay up to date. Each course is limited to 5-10 writers.
All 4 courses will begin again soon. Get on the waiting list of “interested writers” and you will be notified when the next round of courses is scheduled. There is no obligation.
Course 1 – Idea, Story & Character Development – This is an enhanced version of my popular course “Writing a Successful Spec Script.” Set a secure foundation for your script by developing your story ideas into a salable project. Get valuable feedback and questions answered.
Start: March 26, 2012
End: April 14, 2012
Listed below are weekly topics and homework:
Week 1 – Ideas, loglines, concepts – 3 story ideas
Chat session Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. MST
Week 2 – Create fascinating characters – character sketches
Week 3 – Story structure – one-page synopsis
Registration Fee – $125
Registration Fee if you opt out of submitting homework – $59
Specific Instructions and passwords will be emailed to you after you register.
Course 2 – Act 1 & the Set-up – Get off to a fast start and lay down those first 25 or so pages. Do your first ten pages capture the reader’s imagination? Let’s find out.
Start: April 16, 2012
End: May 5, 2012
Week 1 – Catalyst and Big Event – Act 1 summary
Chat session Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. MST
Week 2 – Format and readability – Revised synopsis
Week 3 – Writing issues – the first 10 pages
Registration Fee – $155
Registration Fee if you opt out of submitting homework – $ 79
Course 3 – Act 2 Problems & Solutions – You’ve written the first 10-30 pages, now what? Do you find yourself plotting… or plodding? This course focuses on the most difficult section of the screenplay – Act 2 – and guides you through the rough spots through instruction, interaction, peer reviews, and (of course) my feedback.
Start: May 7, 2012
End: June 30, 2012
Week 1 – Two stories in one + theme – ID A & B stories
Chat session Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. MST
Week 2 – Plot points and paradigms – Outline
Week 3 – Characters and subplots – Character descriptions
Week 4 – Unleash your creativity
Week 5 – Rising action and conflict – Revised outline
Week 6 – Genre, scenes, dialogue – 3-5 page sequence
Chat session Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. MST
Week 7 – Writing week; no classroom activities
Week 8 – Special topics – Progress report
If you wish to submit pages for review, the fee is $10 per page.
Other chat sessions may be scheduled and other assignments may be given.
Registration Fee – $265
Registration Fee if you opt out of submitting homework – $169
Course 4 – Completing the Script – Now we get it done! This course focuses on your writing issues. The course concludes with a 14-point analysis of your script (when it is ready).
Start: July 2, 2012
End date: August 4, 2012
Week 1 – Crisis, climax, denouement – Act 3 summary
Week 2 – The final twist
Chat session Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. MST
Week 3 – Meaning and emotional impact – Final impact report
Week 4 – Writing week; no classroom activities
Week 5 – Special topics – Completed script
Chat session Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. MST
The script may be submitting during the course or anytime thereafter. A certificate of graduation will be awarded on completion of your script.
Registration Fee for Course 4 if you’ve already taken the first 3 courses -- $454
Registration Fee if you opt out of submitting your script for evaluation -- $139
Registration Fee if you have not taken all of the first three courses -- $595
Save over $100 and register for all four courses now
Only $895
And if you opt out of the homework
Only $425
Text for all four – Screenwriter’s Bible - $19.95