Stage 32 Screenwriting Lab: Rewrite Your TV Series Pilot Script In 6 Weeks
Other education that may be of interest to you:
How to Nail the First Act of Your Television Pilot - With Pilot Downloads (Killing Eve, Atlanta, This is Us, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, One Day at a Time, The Expanse)
You’ve heard that the opening pages of your pilot script are the most important – hook your audience early and they’ll be invested in your show, fall short and producers, managers and executives might not even finish reading your script. At many companies, your script will be handed off to a member of the development team whose job is to just read the first act, then decide whether to pass or flag your script for further consideration. Having a great first act isn’t just a good way to get your pilot noticed; it might be the only way. When you watch a pilot, though, whether on Netflix, HBO or ABC, it can feel like every show is so different, it’s hard to see a pathway to success. Or even if you master one aspect of your opening act, somehow it can still feel like you’ve not done enough. In a TV pilot, that crucial first act is the most challenging because there is so much you have to do really well, really quickly: you have to introduce your characters, set up your world, and launch your story. What’s more, the first act sets your pilot on solid footing – nail this section and the rest of the pilot seems to develop and flow easily. Get stuck on how to start, and you might never finish writing the pilot that could launch your career. You’ve probably watched outstanding pilots where 10-15 minutes in you’re already making plans to binge the season. What do all those pilots have in common? What techniques do experienced show creators use to give them that early edge? And what exactly do producers, managers development execs and other professionals expect to see in a first act? We have the answers to those questions and much more. Anna Henry is a Producer and Development Executive who has worked at CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and multiple production companies, as well as a manager at Andrea Simon Entertainment. Her clients have worked on shows such as THE DEUCE, POWER, IN CONTEMPT, TOMMY, VIDA, SEVEN SECONDS, HUNG, CHICAGO FIRE, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, THIS IS US, and THE FLASH, and have set up projects at AMC, Amazon, Starz, HBO, Sony, Fox, EOne, ITV America, OddLot Entertainment, Corus, and others. Anna has projects currently in development around the world and is incredibly familiar with what goes into a great television pilot. Anna will analyze pilots more deeply so you can see the tools successful writers use to set their show on the right path from the start. She’ll discuss the ingredients of a pilot in general, including the basic structure, identifying the type or genre of your show, meta-themes, and crafting characters to serve as the audience's entry point. Anna will then delve into the key elements of a first act, as well as a great teaser or cold open, including using framing devices, and a strong out. She will go over tips to writing memorable character descriptions, using physical descriptions, elements of identity, and putting thought into how you name each character. She'll next focus on introduction scenes and using them to generate interest in your characters, using dialogue to establish their voices, and introducing relationships. A vital aspect of a pilot's first act is creating character moments, and Anna will go over effective examples of many different types of these moments, including meeting heroes, meeting villains, meeting supporting characters, establishing the right amount of backstory, and the benefits of having your characters argue. She will then discuss how to create exposition and communicate your world effectively, crafting a mystery and building the rules of your universe, as well as how to avoid overused crutches. Anna will then offer her take on implementing and incorporating tone and themes into the script and how to sneak them in subtly through details and character moments. She will finally lay out how to best use your first act to bring the audience into your story and world, where exactly your story should start, and how to launch your 'A' story and introduce your 'B' and 'C' stories. Examples will be used from one-hour and half-hour shows on network, cable and streaming platforms, PLUS! you will receive pilots for each after the class: THIS IS US - NBC ONE DAY AT A TIME - Netflix / Pop MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL - Amazon ATLANTA - FX KILLING EVE - AMC THE EXPANSE - Syfy / Amazon Praise for Anna's Stage 32 webinar: "The 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. "Comprehensive, insightful. Combined a lot of material I had heard snippets of on character, world dev, etc. but artfully stitched together in one presentation." -James F. "It was amazing, enlightening - completely. I learned soooo much - especially as a feature writer who's been asked to turn a feature script into a pilot!! Thank you soooooo much." -Kristin G.
How to Write a Professional TV Pitch Document/Treatment - with Downloads
This was by far the best webinar on pitch documents that I have experienced. I've seen others where they give certain advice that she warned not to do! - Tiffany C. This is the age of peak TV and you have an incredible, original idea for a show! You have it all planned out: the setting, the characters, what the show will be about... maybe you've even written the pilot script. Now it's time to pitch! Perhaps you have a meeting with a manager or a producer, or someone is already interested in your idea and has asked you to send some "pages." Or you've signed up for a Stage 32 pitch session with the perfect exec who's looking for a show just like yours. You will learn how to write a professional pitch document that can serve as the outline for your in-person pitch to a manager, producer or studio executive, or be sent after your meeting - using the template and requirements the big agencies and studios use. You will also learn how to translate that into a shorter version for Stage 32 pitch sessions, contests, or just to be able to briefly pitch your idea as you're networking. PLUS! Anna will include these handouts for you to download: Stranger Things Pitch Document New Girl Pitch Document New Girl Short Pitch Document Example Lookbook Example This was my first Stage32 webinar, and it exceeded my expectations, both in terms of quality (and quantity) of information and overall value. Anna was personable, knowledgeable, and organized. The slide deck was helpful, and her overall presentation hit all the key topics. Anna and Stage3 2 delivered the goods. - John R. What a thoughtful, thorough and inspiring webinar. It's clear that Anna Henry put an enormous amount of work into this presentation. Not only was the content there, but the structure was also superb. I feel educated and inspired to go back to my own work and do better than what I thought was my best. What could possibly be better than that! Thank you Anna for your genius and your generosity. - Crispin L. See more testimonials below!
Extended Webinar: How to Master Story Structure for Your Drama Television Pilot
Over the course of an extended two-and-a-half hour webinar, learn drama pilot story structure from one of Stage 32's most popular and requested instructors Includes case studies, story maps and free script downloads of the pilot episodes of: SUCCESSION THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL THE EXPANSE We are living in an era where TV dramas as diverse, ambitious, and creative as SUCCESSION, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL, THE EXPANSE, BEEF and THE BEAR are not only put on air, but find an audience and gain serious popularity. This is in turn an era where networks and streamers are actually looking for new voices and new stories. More than ever before, there is a path for your own television drama to be discovered. Yet no matter how great your concept is, how strong your characters are, how diverse, clever or unique your world is, your drama series will not be effective and will not be successful unless you can nail your script’s structure. Nailing your TV drama’s story structure—specifically your pilot—is no easy task. In the span of just 40-60 pages, you have to introduce your world, your characters, your central plot and conflict, and your inciting incident, all while keeping your pacing consistent, finding some resolution for that episode, and allowing your audience to want to watch more. This is a complicated, and delicate game and ultimately comes down to how you structure and map out your script before you start writing. No matter what genre you’re writing in, understanding how to structure your pilot is vital. Gaining a clear grasp on how successful drama pilots are arranged and the rules they all follow is a necessary step if you want to have a show that will get picked up and ultimately connect with an audience. Anna Henry is a Producer and Development Executive who has worked at CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and multiple production companies, as well as a manager at Andrea Simon Entertainment. Her clients have worked on shows such as THE DEUCE, POWER, IN CONTEMPT, TOMMY, VIDA, SEVEN SECONDS, HUNG, CHICAGO FIRE, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, THIS IS US, and THE FLASH, and have set up projects at AMC, Amazon, Starz, HBO, Sony, Fox, EOne, ITV America, OddLot Entertainment, Corus, and others. One of Stage 32’s most popular instructors of all time, Anna has projects currently in development around the world and is incredibly familiar with what goes into a great television pilot. Anna will go in-depth on how to properly structure your drama TV series pilot and will use real past pilot scripts as examples as she breaks down, act by act, the elements necessary to turn your series pilot into stand-out script. Anna will go over the main types of one-hour pilots and will outline the elements for pilot development, including story engine, world, characters, themes and tone. She’ll discuss how to select and map your own template show as well as incorporating multiple plotlines. Anna will then delve into the function and elements of your pilot’s teaser and Acts 1 through 5, as well as your pilot launch, pilot climax, and series launch. She will finally lay out the most common structure problems that you should avoid. Don’t even think about starting to write your own drama pilot until you gain the tools Anna will provide. Examples will be used from notable past one-hour drama pilots on network, cable, and streaming platforms. PLUS! you will receive pilot scripts and Anna's own story maps for each after the webinar: THE EXPANSE (Syfy) THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL (Amazon) SUCCESSION (HBO) Praise for Anna's Previous Stage 32 Webinar: This was my first Stage 32 webinar, and it exceeded my expectations, both in terms of quality (and quantity) of information and overall value. Anna was personable, knowledgeable, and organized. The slide deck was helpful, and her overall presentation hit all the key topics. Anna and Stage32 delivered the goods. - John R. What a thoughtful, thorough and inspiring webinar. It's clear that Anna Henry put an enormous amount of work into this presentation. Not only was the content there, but the structure was also superb. I feel educated and inspired to go back to my own work and do better than what I thought was my best. What could possibly be better than that! Thank you Anna for your genius and your generosity. - Crispin L. "Comprehensive, insightful. Combined a lot of material I had heard snippets of on character, world dev, etc. but artfully stitched together in one presentation." -James F. "It was amazing, enlightening - completely. I learned soooo much - especially as a feature writer who's been asked to turn a feature script into a pilot!! Thank you soooooo much." -Kristin G.
Stage 32 Screenwriting Lab: Rewrite Your TV Series Pilot Script In 8 Weeks
Rewrite your TV series pilot script with expert guidance from Anna Henry, a producer who was worked with CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and more! PLUS! You will receive multiple exclusive handouts to help in your rewriting process! **You must send your current pilot script to edu@stage32.com immediately after signing up for the course so you can receive personalized feedback from Anna.** ***Flexible Learning: if you cannot attend any of the sessions live don't worry - you will be sent the links to the recordings of each session within 48 hours of the live session and you will have direct access to Anna on email to ask her any questions about your craft or career so you can keep up at your own pace and schedule.*** Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details Are you ready to do a professional rewrite on your TV series pilot script with a top manager and executive? This is your chance to elevate your project to a professional level and get it ready to share with reps, executives and showrunners in 2024. Stage 32 is here to provide expert guidance and mentorship while you rewrite your TV pilot and get it market ready! Maybe you know some things in your pilot aren’t working but you are just not sure where the problems lie, or how to fix them. Maybe you have received notes you don’t quite understand or aren’t sure you agree with, making them hard to address. Maybe you have submitted your pilot to contests and haven’t moved past the quarter or semi-finals or pitched and pitched only to get script requests but no development offers. This is not the time to give up - it’s time to double down, to dive into your second (or third, or fourth…) draft with the guidance of a top development executive and literary manager. Writing may seem like a solitary occupation, but all writers need guidance from an experienced professional. Especially TV writers. TV writers work in rooms, work with showrunners, producers, managers and executives giving them feedback. They belong to writers’ groups. If you don’t have those support systems guiding you through your rewrite (or even if you do and need a fresh perspective), this lab is for you. Let’s dive in together! In this exclusive Stage 32 8-part screenwriting lab, you will rewrite your existing TV pilot script under the guidance of an industry leader to guarantee your next draft is not only an improvement of your work, but ready to go to market. Guiding you through the rewriting process for your pilot is Anna Henry. Anna is a producer and development executive who has 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. Anna is also an instructor for Netflix & Stage 32 Creating Content for a Global Marketplace Program. Over 8 interactive sessions inlacing one-on-one sessions with Anna, you will find out the most effective strategies to rewrite on a large scale, revise scene-by-scene and polish the details of your script till it shines. You will receive valuable worksheets and checklists that help you keep track of the steps you need to take to improve your script. Through virtual classroom sessions and one-on-one sessions with Anna, you will receive personalized feedback to improve your script. PLUS! You’ll receive exclusive handouts to help in your rewriting process. Downloads include: Story grid worksheet Character description elements Scene elements worksheet Sample scenes analysis Polish “to-do” checklist If you’re looking to rewrite your TV pilot script and turn any script problems you have into successful storytelling opportunities, this lab is for you! **Please send your current pilot script to edu@stage32.com immediately after signing up for the course so you can receive personalized feedback from Anna.**
How to Write Historical Fiction Television that Will Get You Noticed
Learn From A Producer and Development Executive who has worked at CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and more! "It was amazing, enlightening - completely. I learned soooo much - especially as a feature writer who's been asked to turn a feature script into a pilot!! Thank you soooooo much." -Kristin G. The market for historical dramas is hot. Shows like The Crown, Genius: MLK/X, The Law According To Lidia Poet, The Great, Babylon Berlin, The Empress, Call the Midwife and more are dominating with controversial plot lines and riveting characters. But to sell a historical drama, you first need to know the specifics of writing this specialized genre. You need to understand what type of intellectual property makes for a compelling story and then have the skills necessary to turn this historical piece into a modern, binge-worthy series that speaks to today's audiences. In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, industry veteran Anna Henry who has worked as a development executive and producer and has shepherded numerous projects through networks and streamers is here to show you how. Anna is a Producer and Development Executive who has worked at CBS, ABC, Nickelodeon, and multiple production companies, as well as a manager at Andrea Simon Entertainment. Her clients have worked on shows such as THE DEUCE, POWER, IN CONTEMPT, TOMMY, VIDA, SEVEN SECONDS, HUNG, CHICAGO FIRE, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, THIS IS US, and THE FLASH, and have set up projects at AMC, Amazon, Starz, HBO, Sony, Fox, EOne, and more. Anna has projects currently in development around the world and is incredibly familiar with what goes into a great television pilot. If you are developing a historical drama or ever want to try, this information-packed webinar is a must! Praise for Anna's Stage 32 webinar: "The 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. "Comprehensive, insightful. Combined a lot of material I had heard snippets of on character, world dev, etc. but artfully stitched together in one presentation." -James F.
How to Write A One-Page Synopsis For Your Television Project
Learn how to create an essential one-page synopsis for your television series pitch from a top TV executive and manager who has taught for Netflix and whose clients have worked with HBO, Amazon, Starz, ABC, CBS, and Nickelodeon! PLUS! You will receive exclusive handouts to help you create your synopsis including a one-pager worksheet and series pitch documents for HOUSE OF CARDS, RECTIFY, and SIX! The most important part of the pitch bible for your TV series is your one-page synopsis. However, if you have ever written a pitch deck or bible, you know that the one-page synopsis is oftentimes the hardest part to create. You keep going back to it, trying to revise and perfect it, not quite able to get it all down on the page. Sometimes it's more efficient to make the rest of the pitch document first and then come back to your synopsis, but even then it is tricky to summarize your story into one page. How do you summarize an entire TV series in one page anyway? And yes, it needs to be one page, because when you start to pitch, you will find again and again that busy executives, managers, and producers just want to read a “one-pager” first. It is an established and expected format. So Stage 32 is here to help! In this exclusive Stage 32 on-demand webinar, you will learn how to create a compelling one-page synopsis for your television series from Anna Henry. Anna has over 20 years of development experience as an executive at ABC, CBS, and Nickelodeon, and has worked as a representative helping her clients set up projects at ITV America, Sony, 20th Television, EOne, Starz, Amazon, OddLot Entertainment, Corus, and many others. Anna has a plethora of knowledge and experience to share with you to help you perfect your TV series one-page synopsis. Anna will break down the TV series overview into its component parts, giving you step-by-step guidance on what to include and how to communicate your series in a compelling, specific, yet succinct way. You will learn how to categorize your show, how to communicate the elements of your project in a nutshell, and how to hook your reader with the central conflict and stakes of your story. You will go over additional elements you might include, such as tone, themes, episode ideas and your personal connection to the material. Finally, Anna will talk about a slightly longer type of short pitch – the two-page or 8-minute pitch required for Stage 32 pitch sessions. If you are looking to get your TV series out into the world, then this webinar is a must! Plus! Anna will provide you with exclusive handouts to help you create your compelling and essential one page synopsis. Downloads include: One-pager worksheet HOUSE OF CARDS series pitch document RECTIFY series bible SIX series pitch document Testimonials from Anna's previous Stage 32 Courses: "This was by far the best webinar on pitch documents that I have experienced." - Tiffany C. "So informative on the structure of a pitch. What's needed and how to go about dealing with the things that will come up during a verbal pitch or simply in the relationship between those giving a pitch and those receiving one. Well organized Anna, thank you!" - Julia L. "I really appreciate Anna's teaching method and style. She is knowledgeable and thoughtful, and really cares about her students!" -- Matthew M.
Register / Log In
