Each week consists of a 90-minute teleconference workshop and a separate 50-minute Q&A teleconference. The 90-minute workshop includes a craft lecture, stream-of-consciousness writing exercises, and one-on-one discussion to illustrate the principles covered. If you miss a workshop, you can listen to a recorded version for up to 30 days.

The 90-Day Screenplay is an intensive 27-class tele-course where you will receive all the practical tools you’ll need to complete your screenplay, from initial idea, through outline, first draft, and rewrite. Through lecture, discussion and stream-of-consciousness writing exercises, you will receive specific guidance on the following:

• The 3-Act Structure as an intuitive model
• Clarifying the logline
• The secret to writing constructive outlines (stream-of-consciousness writing exercises + proven techniques that allow the story to emerge)
• Exploring the ‘universal dilemma’ (dramatic question) at heart of story
• Using your fear as an ally (writing from a place of jeopardy)
• Developing memorable characters
• Writing compelling movie dialogue
• The secrets to writing great description
• Subtext (secrets to writing driving narrative)
• Theme (what is this thing really about?)
• Developing a powerful ‘want’ for the hero
• Clarifying the protagonist’s need
• The rules of screenplay format
• Writing the first draft
• Setup (how to make the first ten pages rock)
• How to make the reader care about your characters
• Protagonists and Antagonists (The art of conflict – clue: they want exactly the same thing!)
• Showing, not telling
• Dramatizing exposition
• Disguising back-story
• Layering information (conflating scenes)
• Building tension
• How to write a crisp first act that readers can’t put down
• Raising the stakes through the second act
• Developing ‘turning points’
• High Concept
• Rules of Genre
• Beats, Scenes, Sequences, Acts
• Climax (the secret to writing an unforgettable battle scene)
• Tying up loose ends
• Bookends (beginnings and endings)
• The Rewrite (how to rewrite the screenplay efficiently)
• Making the scenes as dynamic as possible
• Making it cinematic (a picture paints a thousand words)
• Keeping it tight (brevity is the soul of screenwriting)
• Transformation (the ‘magic’ of story)
• And much more…

You will also receive:

• A group page to log on your wordcount and share your daily experiences.
• 90 daily letters giving clear and concise instruction on the process.
• A weekly 50-minute Q&A wrapup where you will receive answers to all questions and direct feedback on your story (time permitting).