Summary
4-PART ON DEMAND CLASS (OVER 8 HOURS OF EDUCATION) - 100% Satisfaction Rating!
Learn how to hook your reader in the first ten pages from an executive who's worked with Netflix, Disney, and more!
See case studies and watch a first 10 page critique workshop!
Managers, producers and financiers typically know how they feel about a script after reading the first 10 pages. Remember, the competition is fierce and your script is rarely the only script on the file. If your script doesn’t grab the reader in the first 10 pages, he or she is not going to read on.
You might be making common mistakes in these critical opening pages without even realizing it. Issues like lackluster openings that don’t engage, poorly developed characters, and insufficient world-building can cause your script to be overlooked. These elements are crucial and can make the difference between a script that gets a “pass” and one that sparks interest for a “recommend”. Understanding these pitfalls and knowing how to avoid them is essential for your professional success.
To help you navigate your first 10 pages is Justine Wentzell-Chang who brings over a decade of experience and expertise. As a producer and former acquisitions and co-productions executive, Justine has developed, produced, and written numerous scripts for major networks and platforms like Netflix, Disney Channel, and Lifetime. Her work includes titles such as RIP TIDE, GYMNASTICS ACADEMY: A SECOND CHANCE, BACK OF THE NET, and many more. Justine’s strong storytelling skills and deep industry knowledge make her uniquely qualified to guide you in creating compelling and marketable scripts.
In this four-part on-demand class, you will cover essential topics to ensure your script’s opening pages are powerful and engaging. In Session 1, you’ll learn why the first ten pages are crucial, who your audience is, and what elements to include. Session 2 will focus on prepping your script and character building. In Session 3, you’ll analyze script case studies to understand what works and what doesn’t. Finally, Session 4 will feature a writer’s circle workshop, where you’ll be able to watch feedback given on first 10 page critiques. Each session includes a Q&A with Justine and assigned homework to help you apply what you’ve learned.
Praise for Justine's Stage 32 Education
“Immensely helpful for writers at any stage in their careers!" -- Samantha L.
"I can't thank Justine enough for the knowledge she provided on making a great opening sequence for my script. I hope that Justine comes back to teach another course with Stage 32 soon. 5 stars." -- Morgan M.
"I would take any class Justine taught." -- Tim M.
What You'll Learn
Session 1: First 10 Pages Overview
- Why the first 10 matter so much
- Who is your audience?
- What to include:
- Set up the world your main character(s) are living in.
- Effective introduction of main characters and their relationships
- Theme
- Tone, mood, style in both the dialogue and action
- Set up the main conflict.
- Ways to hook your audience in
- Editing/Proofreading
Q&A with Justine
Homework will be assigned
Session 2: Prepping Your Script & Character Building
- Defining your audience(s) and knowing what they’re looking for
- Development Exec
- Viewer
- Establishing your opening scene with a hook
- Worldbuilding
- Emotional connection
- Intrigue
- Action
- Make them wonder, “What is happening?”
- Getting to know your characters and building them out before you start writing
- Share creative tools to help build a strong foundation for your story
- Discuss Homework
Q&A with Justine
Homework will be assigned
Session 3: Script Case Studies
- Building empathy
- Creating a connection
- Leaving a strong impression
- Review homework
- Look at 4 case studies and break them down:
- 1 one-hour script
- 1 half-hour script
- 2 feature scripts
Q&A with Justine
Homework will be assigned
Session 4: Writer’s Circle Workshop
- Watch as a group review of students’ first ten pages is discussed to learn what is working and how to improve in a critique session. This workshop is intended for you to learn with real world examples.
Q&A with Justine
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- This on-demand class is designed to hone how to write a killer first 10 pages.
- This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed class with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar. Each session is 2 hours long.
- While this is not a live class, you are highly encouraged to complete the assignments to get the most out of the writing experience.
Who Should Attend
All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn the know how to grab your reader in your opening pages from an industry veteran.
All levels of writers (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn the know how to grab your reader in your opening pages from an industry veteran.
Producers looking to learn the know how to grab your reader in your opening pages from an industry veteran.
Actors looking to learn the know how to grab your reader in your opening pages from an industry veteran.
Executive
Justine Wentzell-Chang is a producer and former acquisitions and co-productions executive working in film and television.
She has developed, produced and written countless scripts including RIP TIDE and GYMNASTICS ACADEMY: A SECOND CHANCE for Netflix, BACK OF THE NET for the Disney Channel, LOST BOY, 10 YEAR REUNION and A CHRISTMAS ARRANGEMENT for Lifetime, GIRLFRIEND OF CHRISTMAS PAST and CHRISTMAS CALENDAR for UPTV and STARTING UP LOVE for Reel One.
Justine is a passionate storyteller and loves working with other writers to develop compelling and marketable scripts. With her strong storytelling skills and deep knowledge of the industry landscape, she’s able to give notes that not only elevate the story and characters, but also take into account what certain buyers may be looking for.
Testimonials
Praise for Justine's Stage 32 Education
“Immensely helpful for writers at any stage in their careers!" -- Samantha L.
"I can't thank Justine enough for the knowledge she provided on making a great opening sequence for my script. I hope that Justine comes back to teach another course with Stage 32 soon. 5 stars." -- Morgan M.
"I would take any class Justine taught." -- Tim M.
Credits
