How to use resources at Screenwriting Master Class?

Tips on how to use our online educational resources to learn the craft.

The extensive curriculum Tom Benedek and I have created at Screenwriting Master Class means any writer, no matter their level of experience — Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced — can find classes which can meet them where they are on their creative journey and lead them deeper into their understanding of the craft.

If you are a Beginning writer: There is a host of one-week classes to facilitate your learning. Screenwriting theory? Take any or all of the eight Core courses which provide a comprehensive approach. Screenwriting practice? Pick and choose between 20+ Craft courses which cover a wide range of subjects from Handling Exposition to Writing Scenes, the First 15 Pages to Character Development Keys. Dip your toe into online learning with a single one-week course and see how the experience resonates with you.

If you are an Intermediate writer: The Core and Craft curriculum is a great way to augment your learning, but the workshops can take you to a whole other level of understanding and productivity: Prep: From Concept to Outline, Pages I: Writing the First Draft, Pages II: Rewriting Your Script. You not only learn approaches to each stage of the script-writing process, you also move forward one of your original stories toward a final draft.

If you are an Advanced writer: We offer private script workshop programs which we can tailor to your specific needs. Have a story you want to break in prep, then pound out a first draft? We can do that. Want a structure within which to rewrite a script? We can do that, too. Need a pro writer to consult with you one time or on a weekly basis on a scripted project? Got you covered. Just contact us and we take it from there.

Then there is The Quest with Scott Myers and The Process with Tom Benedek, each offering a comprehensive approach to the craft of screenwriting. These programs are geared for writers, no matter their level of experience, who want to immerse themselves in the craft, learn theory, then put that theory into practice by writing an original screenplay.

But what are the advantages of online education?

There are a lot!

• You can do pretty much everything on your own time. Download and read / listen to lectures. Track and respond to other writers in 24/7 online message board forums. Complete and upl0ad writing exercises and assignments. Quite literally, you can be dressed in your pajamas, sipping coffee in bed, and engage your online course.
• You can access your online course site anywhere, any time, and on any device such as a computer, tablet, smart phone, etc.
• You don’t have to drive anywhere to attend class, instead it’s right there at your fingertips.
• You don’t have to frantically scratch down notes from lectures since they are written or recorded for you.
• The feedback you receive from Tom or myself, and that of your fellow writers is much more thoughtful because people have time to compose their observations, rather than just speaking off the top of their heads in an on-site class setting.
• Your classmates come from all over the world. I counted it up and I have worked with writers from over 40 countries. This is a wonderful benefit in interfacing with people from widely diverse cultural backgrounds.
• You would be amazed at how much of a community writers form in our online classes. Indeed dozens of writers groups have emerged from SMC courses, some stretching back to 2002 when they began.

It’s not surprising that distance learning continues to grow in popularity, offering a winning combination of accessibility, flexibility, and affordability.

Given the experience Tom and I have both as professional screenwriters and educators, it’s clear to see why writers who have worked with us have achieved success in the business:

Our alumni have set up projects at major studios including Paramount, Warner Bros., and Legendary Pictures, TV networks including ABC, AMC, HBO, and USA, and signed with top agencies including CAA, The Gersh Agency, UTA, Verve, and WME, as well as managers including Circle of Confusion, Grandview, Lee Stobby, Madhouse Entertainment, Mosaic, and MXN Entertainment.

Indeed just two weeks ago, Pat Connelly who is one of my Quest writers, set up a Will Ferrell comedy at Legendary Pictures.

All of which is to say as you move into 2017 and look to upgrade your understanding of the craft, consider Screenwriting Master Class. If you’ve never taken an online course, try one of our one-week classes to ‘dip your toe’ in those waters. You will LOVE Screenwriting Master Class courses.
 
 As always, we look forward to working with you!