Stage 32 Screenwriting Lab: Write Your Female-Driven Feature Film Script In 8 Weeks

ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT TO WORK WITH AUDREY - GRAB YOUR SPOT NOW

Write the first draft of your female-driven feature screenplay while being mentored by literary manager Audrey Knox, whose clients have written features for Lionsgate (ALICE, DARLING), Tubi (CRUSHED), Lifetime (SINGLE BLACK FEMALE and SINGLE BLACK FEMALE 2) and more.

PLUS! You'll receive the scripts for female-driven films including THE MENU, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, LEGALLY BLONDE, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN, ARRIVAL, ZOLA, SHE'S GOTTA HAVE IT, and ANNIHILATION

***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 Audrey on email to ask her any questions so you can keep up at your own pace and schedule.***

Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details

Are you a writer with a great idea for a female-driven movie?

Then it’s time to write your feature and bring your unique voice to the industry! Audiences are hungry for movies that center on complicated and diverse women. BARBIE is shattering records. Comedies like BOOKSMART and BOTTOMS are launching careers. Horror films like M3GAN and BARBARIAN have been breakout hits. NO HARD FEELINGS and SHOTGUN WEDDING are proving that the female-driven mid-budget rom-com is finally back. There has never been a better time to tell entertaining stories about compelling women.

But to take your character and story from an idea all the way to the theater, you’re going to need to know how to write complex women and understand what producers, executives and buyers are looking for in your screenplay.

In this exclusive Stage 32 8-part screenwriting lab, you will work one-on-one with a top literary manager to take your female-driven feature film from concept to completed first draft. You will receive direct and personalized feedback on your work throughout the eight weeks, so you walk away from this course with a solid first draft of your screenplay in hand.

Taking you through this professional-level training is Audrey Knox, literary manager at Cartel Entertainment, a company with hundreds of writer and director clients with films like JOY RIDE, HAPPY DEATH DAY, 1982, CHRISTMAS WITH THE CAMPBELLS, and more.

Audrey represents writers and directors in film and TV, across all genres. She has found recent success bringing female-driven scripts to production companies and studios. Audrey has a wealth of knowledge from her decade of experience in the industry on how to create long-lasting, compelling, female-led stories that sell. She will teach you practical structural guidelines to carry your reader expertly from the first page, through the complex second act, and all the way to a satisfying climax and conclusion.

This hands-on experience goes much further than other classes and webinars. You will study successful movies and their scripts alongside a small group of passionate writers in an interactive setting. You’ll also workshop your script and your classmates’ work as a group in sessions and have take-home assignments, so your movie is always progressing and getting stronger.

PLUS! Audrey will provide you with a series of successful female-driven feature scripts to learn from. Downloads include: 

• THE MENU
• THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
• LEGALLY BLONDE
• EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
• PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN
• ARRIVAL
• ZOLA
• SHE'S GOTTA HAVE IT
• ANNIHILATION

Only 2 spots remain to work with Audrey on your female-driven feature film screenplay. Once they’re gone, they are gone for good. Grab your spot and don’t miss out on your chance to write your script and work one-on-one with a top literary manager today!

Praise for Audrey's Teaching:

"I can't say enough good things about Audrey. She cares about helping her students and provides very valuable information. I wish she was MY manager!" - Sam R.

"I didn't realize how much should go into reaching out to reps until I took this class from Audrey. I was doing it all wrong!" - Morgan B.

"Audrey is one of the best teachers on Stage 32. I can't recommend learning from her enough." - Sidney M.

Pre-Class Prep:

• Bring in 2-3 concepts/loglines for your movie.
• Watch at least one of the following: Somebody I Used to Know (2023), The Menu (2022), Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022), Prey (2022)
• Extra credit: read the script for The Menu and Everything Everywhere All At Once
• Analysis:
• Write a beat sheet of what happens in the film.
• Who is the main character?
• Highlight pivotal turning points and momentum shifts.
• Determine where you think the end of Act One and the beginning of Act Three are.

WEEK 1: How To Turn Your Female-Driven Idea into a Movie

In Class:

• Introductions
• Review the syllabus and discuss the class goals.
• Group Discussion: What makes a movie “female-driven”?
• Based on our definition, how do the assigned movies fit this category?
• In what ways do they diverge from it?
• Group discussion: As you watched the films for class, what kept you interested?
• What would you say is the main thing you were watching in these movies?
• What would you say was the main takeaway of the film?
• The Central Dramatic Question
• Internal vs. External Arcs
• Q&A with Audrey

Assignment:

• Choose one of your concepts to focus on based on our class discussion. What is the reason you’re most excited to tell this story? What is the main thing your audience will be watching in the film?
• Determine the Central Dramatic Question of your movie.
• Watch Bring It On (2000) and/or Arrival (2016)
• Extra credit: read the script for Arrival
• Analysis:
• Write a beat sheet of what happens in each scene of the film.
• Who is the main character?
• Highlight pivotal turning points and momentum shifts.
• Determine where you think the end of Act one and the beginning of At Three are.
• Determine the Central Dramatic Question of the film. Where is it launched? Where is it answered?

WEEK 2: Understanding Story Structure and Developing an Outline for Your Feature

In Class:

• Group Discussion: What were the Central Dramatic Questions for each of the films you watched for homework? What were the answers?
• What is a logline?
• How to write a logline.
• How a logline exposes the structural weaknesses of your story.
• How to ensure that your feature has enough of an engine to get you through Act Two.
• How to make your script personal.
• Understand the building blocks of a movie:
• Goal/Stakes
• External Want vs. Internal Need
• Inciting Incident
• Crossing the Threshold from Act One to Act Two
• All is Lost Moment and Third Act Momentum Shift
• Climax
• Group Exercise: Share the Central Dramatic Question of your script in class for feedback.
• Q&A with Audrey

Assignment:

• Write a logline for your movie.
• Write a prose outline of the events in your movie. Make sure you include act breaks! Turn this in to Audrey’s email at least 48 hours before your review.
• Watch Legally Blonde (2001) and/or A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014).
• Extra credit: Read the script for Legally Blonde
• Analysis:
• Write a beat sheet of what happens in each scene of the film.
• Who is the main character?
• Highlight pivotal turning points and momentum shifts.
• Determine where you think the end of Act one and the beginning of Act Three are.
• Determine the Central Dramatic Question of the film. Where is it launched? Where is it answered?
• What is the main character’s goal?
• What are the main character’s stakes?
• What is the main character's internal need?

WEEK 3: NO CLASS – Virtual One-on-One Consultation with Audrey

You will meet with Audrey one-on-one via video to discuss your prose outline. Each writer will send their outline in advance and will discuss what works and what doesn’t work with Audrey.

Assignment:

• Rewrite your outline based on our discussion.
• Watch The Devil Wears Prada (2006) and/or Promising Young Woman (2020).
• Extra credit: read the scripts for The Devil Wears Prada (2006) and/or Promising Young Woman (2020)
• Analysis:
• Write a beat sheet of what happens in each scene of the film.
• Who is the main character?
• Highlight pivotal turning points and momentum shifts.
• Determine where you think the end of Act one and the beginning of Act Three are.
• Determine the Central Dramatic Question of the film. Where is it launched? Where is it answered?
• What is the main character’s goal?
• What are the main character’s stakes?
• What is the main character's internal need?

WEEK 4: How to Hook Your Audience from the First Moment

In Class:

• Group Discussion: How did the opening of the example movies launch the film’s story and themes?
• What pulls the viewer or reader in from the first moment:
• Fascinating World
• Compelling, interesting, unique characters
• Making sure your audience is asking the right questions.
• Discuss the “opening image” and how it sets up the tone for the rest of the film.
• To Flash Forward or Not to Flash Forward?
• Group exercise: Pitch ideas for your opening images.
• What makes Character Introductions impactful?
• On screen
• On the page
• Q&A with Audrey

Assignment:

• Write Act One of your script.
• Watch Turning Red (2022) and/or Zola (2020).
• Analysis:
• Write a beat sheet of what happens in each scene of the film.
• Who is the main character?
• Highlight pivotal turning points and momentum shifts.
• Determine where you think the end of Act one and the beginning of Act Three are.
• Determine the Central Dramatic Question of the film. Where is it launched? Where is it answered?
• What is the main character’s goal?
• What are the main character’s stakes?
• What is the main character's internal need?

WEEK 5: Turning Points and Momentum Shifts

In Class:

• Group Discussion: What did we learn in the first acts of the example movies? How does act one give us a reasonable expectation of what we will be watching in Act Two?
• How to create strong obstacles for your main characters.
• The art of pacing.
• Linking
• Set Pieces
• Midpoints
• Plot vs. Character (external vs. internal)
• The All is Lost Moment.
• Q&A with Audrey

Assignment:

• Write Act 2 of your script.
• Watch She’s Gotta Have It (1986) and/or Annihilation (2018).
• Extra Credit: read the script for Annihilation
• Analysis:
• Write a beat sheet of what happens in each scene of the film.
• Who is the main character?
• Highlight pivotal turning points and momentum shifts.
• Determine where you think the end of Act one and the beginning of Act Three are.
• Determine the Central Dramatic Question of the film. Where is it launched? Where is it answered?
• What is the main character’s goal?
• What are the main character’s stakes?
• What is the main character's internal need?
• What obstacles does the character face along the way? How do they overcome those obstacles?
• Determine and break down the All is Lost Moment.

WEEK 6: How To Write A Satisfying Conclusion That Takes Your Audience to the Very End

In Class:

• Group Discussion: How did the obstacles in the example movies escalate against the main character’s goal?
• What are we building up to?
• Ending is everything: Creating a strong final image.
• How to make your main character earn their ending.
• Q&A with Audrey.

Assignment:

• Finish the first draft of your pilot script. Answer the worksheet questions from your own script. Turn your script in to Audrey’s email 48 hours before your review.
• Watch Mean Girls (2004) and/or Gerald’s Game (2017).
• Analysis:
• Write a beat sheet of what happens in each scene of the film.
• Who is the main character?
• Highlight pivotal turning points and momentum shifts.
• Determine where you think the end of Act one and the beginning of Act Three are.
• Determine the Central Dramatic Question of the film. Where is it launched? Where is it answered?
• What is the main character’s goal?
• What are the main character’s stakes?
• What is the main character's internal need?
• What obstacles does the character face along the way? How do they overcome those obstacles?
• Determine and break down the All is Lost Moment.
• Determine the climax of the film. What lesson does the main character learn just before the climax?

WEEK 7: NO CLASS – Virtual One-On-One Consultation with Audrey

You will meet with Audrey one-on-one via video to discuss your completed script. Audrey will give you notes to work on moving forward as well as strategy on what steps you should be considering next in your development process.

Assignment:

• Start working on the next draft of your script! Writing is a continuous process.

WEEK 8: How to Pitch Your Movie

In Class:

• On-the-page prose and formatting advice.
• Industry standard format for pitching a feature.
• What to include in a pitch deck or bible.
• Insight into the Feature Development Process: How to get your script to the screen.
• Q&A with Audrey

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 female-driven feature film script.
• By the end of this 8-week lab, you will have your completed female-driven feature film script vetted by an industry professional.
• 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.
• **Audrey 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

Sunday October 29th 10am-12pm PST

Sunday November 12th 10am-12pm PST

Sunday November 19th 10am-12pm PST

Sunday December 3rd 10am-12pm PST

Sunday December 10th 10am-12pm PST

Sunday December 17th 10am-12pm PST

Sunday January 7th, 2024 10am-12pm PST

Sunday January 14th, 2024 10am-12pm PST

Q: What is the format of a class?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Classes are typically 90-minute broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32.

Q: Do I have to be located in a specific location?
A: No, you can participate from the comfort of your own home using your personal computer! If you attend a live online webinar, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class.

Q: What are the system requirements?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live class. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer

Q: What if I cannot attend the live class?
A: If you attend a live online class, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class. If you cannot attend a live class, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A. Plus, your instructor will be available via email throughout the lab.

Q: Will I have access to the lab afterward to rewatch?
A: Yes! After the purchase of the lab, you will have on-demand access to the video recording, which you can view for one month after the class is complete.