Summary
4-Part class includes OVER 8 HOURS OF EDUCATION!
Get step-by-step exercises after each session to help you write your own outline
Get a cheat sheet of "12 Guideposts" for a great screenplay
You may have heard the screenwriting phrase “story is structure.” Some writers foolishly reject the idea as they feel it’s too rigid or restrictive, holding you back from being your creative self. But ask any representative and they’ll tell you, structure is your friend!
In fact, many development executives require outlines when they work on projects with writers and managers often use them to assess their clients’ progress.
So, whether you’re trying to land a manager or agent, attract a producer or financier or simply become a more consistent and better writer, knowing story and screenwriting structure is paramount!
That’s why our 4-part on demand class – The Fundamentals of Screenwriting: Story Structure from Concept to Outline– is so popular. Brian Herskowitz, your instructor, 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 much 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.
PLUS! You will receive:
- Writing exercises after each session to apply to your own outline
- Download of the Oscar-winning SHREK script
- Download of "12 Guideposts" you can apply to your script
Praise for Brian:
“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)
What You'll Learn
Session 1: Your Premise, Concept, Theme
Not every writer will need an outline, but it can be an invaluable tool that can make writing the screenplay a snap and be the antidote to writer’s block.
- What is a premise?
- Creating a premise that services the writer’s vision
- Understanding concepts and theme and why they are important
- How your character will inform your premise, concept, theme and lay the foundation for your screenplay
Q&A with Brian
Assignment: Workbook 1 – Expansion and compression of your premise, one page on concept and theme. Character bios.
Session 2: Your Beginning, Middle, and End + the 12 Guideposts
The first step toward building your outline.
- Releasing your imagination• How to discover and explore your beginning, middle, end• The “12 guideposts” and how to use them
Q&A with Brian
Assignment: Workbook 2 – Brainstorming exercises and the “12 guideposts”
Session 3: Your Beat Sheet
What is a beat sheet and is it necessary? What you know vs. what you don’t and what to do about it.
- How the “12 guideposts” can help create your beat sheet
- What beats do you include?
- How your characters’ genetic makeup helps build conflict and informs plot
Q&A with Brian
Assignment: Workbook 3 – Write your beat sheet
Session 4: Your Outline
Some screenwriters dive into the deep end of the writing pool only to find that they’re drowning. Having a solid outline can be the life preserver that allows you to finely hone your spec or assigned script.
- How do you expand the beat sheet into the outline?
- How much is too much?
- Rewriting the outline
Q&A with Brian
Assignment: Workbook 4 – Complete the outline for your movie.
WHAT TO EXPECT
PLEASE NOTE: The opportunity to learn from an expert in the field in this intensive way is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity.
- This class is designed for beginner and intermediate students looking to learn the fundamentals of screenwriting. This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed class with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
- This class consists of four sessions, each roughly two hours in duration.
- PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class is now available to watch on-demand but we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.
Who Should Attend
All levels of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn the fundamentals of screenwriting story and structure.
All levels of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to write a compelling screenplay with sound story and structure.
Producers who want to better understand the fundamentals of screenwriting story and structure.
Actors who want to take control of their careers by writing their own screenplay.
Executive
Brian is a veteran film and television writer and producer who has worked on over 2 dozen films and television shows.
Some of his film credits include the feature film BUCKY AND THE SQUIRRELS, which starred Jason Alexander from SEINFELD, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT, which starred Michael Welch from TWILIGHT, MUSICAL CHAIRS, which was directed by Susan Seidelman from SEX IN THE CITY and TIO PAPI, which was directed by Fro Rojas. As director/writer/producer, he is slated to begin production on a new film BEFORE MOONRISE.
In television, his writing credits include working with HBO, NBC, CBS, Universal Television, FOX on shows such asHERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS, DREAM ON, BLOSSOM, RENEGADE and more. He was on the producing team for the critically acclaimed TOUR OF DUTY 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.
As a director Brian 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.
He currently has a nine-episode podcast, IDENTITY THEFT, running on Spotify. This is the first offering from the THRILLING STORIES podcast series.
Schedule
This is an on-demand course. Students may view the lessons at any time.
Testimonials
Testimonials for Brian's Teaching and Stage 32 Education
"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."
Credits
