ONLY 1 Spot Remains!

Write your faith-based feature film screenplay in 8 weeks while being mentored by a faith-based writer/director who has worked with Universal, Sony, Lionsgate and more! 

***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 have access to Nathan on email to ask him any questions so you can keep up at your own pace and schedule.***

Do you have an idea for a faith-based film that you're ready to write as an inspiring screenplay? 

The faith-based audience is huge with a fast growing appeal so studios and streamers are clamoring for more faith-based content.

But how do the mechanics of faith-based film screenplays work best? What sorts of stories are ripe for this audience? And how can your script most effectively connect with that particular audience? Many writers have an interesting faith-based story to tell but their screenplays come across preachy and didactic. A good faith-based script should be thought provoking, authentic, and inspirational while not beating the audience over the head with a message or theme. It's still about characters and stories. It's a fine line to walk. 

In this interactive Stage 32 screenwriting lab, you will write your faith-based feature film under the supervision and guidance of a world class faith-based writer and director. Guiding you through the writing process is Nathan Scoggins. Nathan recently wrote & directed the faith-based feature films WHAT REMAINS, which was released theatrically in 2022 and starred Cress Williams (BLACK LIGHTNING, HART OF DIXIE), Kellan Lutz (TWILIGHT, THE EXPENDABLES) and the late Anne Heche (VOLCANO, SIX DAYS AND SEVEN NIGHTS) in her final role, and THE LEAST OF THESE, starring Isaiah Washington (GREY'S ANATOMY), Robert Loggia (BIG, THE SPORANOS) and Bob Gunton (SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION). He has recently directed two episodes of an upcoming TV show for Sony/Pureflix. He has also produced several independent feature films, and written a number of features for producers including Scott Bernstein (STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON), Andrew Panay (WEDDING CRASHERS), and Dallas Jenkins (THE CHOSEN).

Over 8 intensive sessions, you will learn how to break down the creative process of writing and apply specific skills and storytelling techniques to writing and crafting your faith-based/inspirational story. This course will give you specific tools for engaging with the audience for faith-based/inspirational films. And you will be held accountable with weekly assignments and progress reports as you write your script to completion. 

You will walk away from this lab with your completed draft of your faith-based feature film screenplay that has been vetted by a professional faith-based screenwriter and director!

If you have a faith-based story to tell, then this lab is for you!

This interactive Stage 32 lab is held on Zoom and goes substantially more in depth than a Stage 32 webinar. Best of all? As soon as you sign up you will be linked on email with Nathan and given a questionnaire to fill out and send back to her. You will have access to her for the duration of your class by email to ask her any questions you have about your craft or career - it’s like having a mentor on demand! And, if you can't make a live session, don't worry! All class recordings will be available 48 hours after each session and you will be able to view them in your Library on your Stage 32 profile. Finally, you can expand your network with like-minded creatives - you'll have a dedicated lounge for interactive support and discussions with your fellow classmates!

Praise For Nathan's Stage 32 Education

“Nathan’s sessions were entertaining and fun as he imparted such a great wealth of knowledge. They were also extremely practical. Nathan’s feedback was great as he enhanced our learning and understanding. He took us deeper into the whole process.” – Kevin H

"Thanks for a fabulous class again. You are so present for each student, and your feedback is not only encouraging but also insightful in terms of strengthening our stories.” – Martha C.

In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to take your story from concept to outline, and then how to take the project to a completed initial script, with a specific focus and emphasis on faith-based stories and storytelling.

PRE-CLASS PREP – Read your syllabus and identify 2-3 pitches/ideas that you want to develop in class that you will want to go on to write and direct.

Session 1 – Overview of Faith-Based/Inspirational Films

What is a faith-based film? What is the audience for these sorts of stories? Who are the players? What sorts of stories are they looking for? What makes some faith-based films work and others…not so much? We will discuss the history and types of films in this genre that work, and conclude with an initial pitch of a story you’d like to develop.

• The history of faith-based/inspirational films
• Types of faith-based films
• The faith-based/inspirational films that work and why
• The audience for faith-based films
• The players in the faith-based film world and what they’re looking for
• Q&A with Nathan

Assignment: Take one potential story, apply it to this week’s conversation about types of faith-based films, and prepare a rough pitch that you’ll present in class next week.

Session 2 – Basics of Storytelling / Character, Community and Theme

There’s no getting around it: story is still ultimately about character. We will work our way through the basics of cinematic storytelling with an emphasis on how these basics are applied in the faith-based/inspirational genre.

• Character wants/needs
• Goals/obstacles
• Internal/external growth
• How they connect to God/faith/community
• Thematic areas and statements – what do you want to say through these characters?
• Pitch ideas
• Q&A with Nathan

Assignment: Revise your pitch based on in-class suggestions, and use the hero questions handout to address core character wants/needs.

Session 3 – Story Structure

We will discuss the three core needs of your character, as well as how those needs connect to your characters in a faith-based/inspirational context. We will discuss how your story expresses/explores their needs and how to engage in storytelling that can present the audience with a compelling central spiritual question.

• Compelling questions / compelling themes
• 3 core needs of your characters / 3 core spiritual virtues
• Story structure: how do those needs and virtues express themselves in story events?
• How to effectively pitch your story
• Q&A with Nathan

Assignment: The 8 Essential story points; preparing to pitch.

Session 4: One-on-One Consultations

You will meet with Nathan one-on-one to pitch your project in a more organized fashion. He’ll give you feedback on what works and what doesn’t, and from there discuss how to attack the next four weeks.

Session 5: Act One: Pages 1-25

In this session we will review the key story points and elements that we need to hit in the first 25 pages, as well as discuss effective tips and tricks to set up the themes at the core of our story. (Hint: most scripts start too early!) We will do this in concrete ways, with Nathan offering constructive, concrete feedback on one script from our group.

• What are the essential story beats to hit in the first act?
• What are the most effective ways to introduce our main characters visually and dynamically?
• How effectively are we setting up story elements in the first act that will pay off in the third?
• How visual is our script?
• How is the dialogue – too slow, too much monologuing?
• Q&A with Nathan

Session 6: Act 2A: Pages 25-50

In this session we will review the key things to focus on in the first half of act two, paying attention to the story structure handouts that we’ve gone over and how effectively we are telling each story as part of our larger story. Again, we will do this in concrete ways, with Nathan offering constructive, concrete feedback on one script from the group.

• The plot thickens, but how goes the next 25 pages?
• Is our conflict steadily rising?
• Are our scenes getting more intense?
• Are we learning about our characters effectively?
• How much dialogue is there?
• Are we getting lost in extraneous characters?
• Q&A with Nathan

Session 7: Act 2B: Pages 50-75

The bad guys may be closing in, but so is our story fatigue. The only way out, however, is through. We are reaching the low point for our characters – but is their low point actually the correct low point? How does the character conflict adequately express/articulate the overall theme of the movie? Is the audience emotionally engaged in the story at this point, or is it just “stuff happening”? And what catharsis are we building towards? In this session we will review things to pay attention to as our characters hurtle towards their final resolutions, paying attention to both story and thematic elements that we can heighten our stories with. Again, we will use one script from class to break this all down in clear, concrete ways.

Session 8: Act 3: Pages 76-100

The weakest point in faith-based films are often the ending, which can give new meaning to the phrase “deus ex machina”. How can we earn our character’s redemption/realization? How does epiphany work in our script? What are noble virtues that our characters can either embody or reject that can force the audience to have to confront/wrestle with their own values/beliefs? In this final session, we will explore all of these issues, once again using pages from class to break it all down.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 lab will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with an executive and an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.

• This lab is designed for beginner and intermediate writers interested in writing a faith-based feature film.
• By the end of this 8-week lab, you will have a professional faith-based script.
• This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed lab with one-on-one time with the instructor and significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• You will be held accountable to take the lessons from each week and move your work forward.
• Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the length of the lab.
• **Nathan Scoggins will be available on email during the 8 sessions to answer any questions you have about your project.**

Payment plans are available - please contact edu@stage32.com for more information

Saturday, April 5th, 11am-1pm PT

Saturday, April 12th, 11am-1pm PT

Saturday, April 26th, 11am-1pm PT

Saturday, May 3rd, 11am-1pm PT {One on One Consultations}

Saturday, May 10th, 11am-1pm PT

Saturday, May 17th, 11am-1pm PT

Saturday, May 24th, 11am-1pm PT

Saturday, May 31st, 11am-1pm PT

“Nathan’s sessions were entertaining and fun as he imparted such a great wealth of knowledge. They were also extremely practical. Nathan’s feedback was great as he enhanced our learning and understanding. He took us deeper into the whole process.” – Kevin H

"Thanks for a fabulous class again. You are so present for each student, and your feedback is not only encouraging but also insightful in terms of strengthening our stories.” – Martha C.