Screenwriting Intensive: Learn to Write Great Scenes

Stuck in your writing?

Feeling writer's block, or decision fatigue, and need help distilling the key elements of dynamic scene writing? Or maybe you don't even know where to start! This class will jumpstart your writing with a whole new perspective and tools you can use every time you sit down to a new page. Registration gives access to recorded classes, lecture slides, handouts, and worksheets.

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How the Class is Structured

The scene is the building block of our story. String them together and we can have a sequence, an act, an episode, a season, or a film. But how do we write a great scene that drives our story forward?

This five-week writing course focuses on the fundamentals of crafting an engaging scene the way Chris works in a TV writer’s room.

Students will develop, outline, write and revise their own scene along with the instructor, and in doing so, learn the fundamentals of screenwriting. By focusing on a single scene, we can cover a massive amount of ground that you can apply to the rest of your writing.

Note: this course was formerly called "How to Write an Animated or Live Action Scene"

"This course was incredibly helpful, finally giving me confidence in my writing. I've even gotten compliments in my film class, and this class's benefits have shown in the work I produce. I cannot recommend this enough! 

Zacharia T."

When you register, the Class Videos and Resources will be unlocked so you can get started on-demand and on your schedule.

Who is this Course For?

This course is for anyone interested in learning the craft of screenwriting, or honing their skills - from amateurs to professionals. We will talk about the way scenes and scripts are written professionally, and give everyone tools to push themselves further on their own creative and career paths.

By the end of the term, students will have developed characters and a world built to challenge them, an outline, and a written three-page scene ready for directors, actors, and artists.

"Before this course I knew I wanted to write, and I knew that I could do that relatively well - but was overwhelmed by the whole ordeal of it, and even the language barrier (English not being my first language). I was surprised to see the course not only helping me with those problems, but also exceeding my expectations. Chris is a genuinely inspiring teacher, full of warm energy, but also reacting and listening to feedback, sharing professional experience and more personal insights.... As someone who is very picky when it comes to being mentored, I'd recommend this course to anyone who feels like they need to channel their writing energy into more focused direction, but are not sure how. This felt like a real journey - and great fun, too. - Darian S."

*Scripts from this class can be taken into Andy Cung's "How to Storyboard an Animated Scene" course

If you're brand new to screenwriting, check out this intro to formatting workshop before starting this course: https://bit.ly/introscreenplayformat

Included in the Course

Easy to follow, structured classes that break down core concepts week by week (including Q&A from students). These lectures cover the tools you need to write scenes painlessly, along with insight and examples from my own career.

5 Cheat Sheet Worksheet assignments I've built specifically to give you a clear template to work off of. I've developed these worksheets to use the same tools I use after 12+ years of writing professionally.

"As someone who has a lot of fuzzy, complicated story ideas, I think this class is great even if you don't have it all figured out. The lectures and exercises have plenty of tools and core ideas to help build and refine your writing. - Janice (juh-NEESE) D."

Class Breakdown

PREP WEEK

Lecture Video: “Idea Stream w/ Andy Cung”

Assignment: Carve out time to brainstorm three ideas for scenes you’d like to write (we will pick one later)

Class Week One

Lecture Video: “Development Part 1: Story Theory / Characters”

Assignment: Character Worksheets

Class Week Two

Lecture Video: “Development Part 2: Story Theory / Premise + World”

Assignment: Premise/World Worksheets

Class Week Three

Lecture Video: “Outlining: Approaching the scene with a point of view” 

(plus supplemental Live Outlining process video)

Assignment: Beat Sheet + Outline

Class Week Four

Lecture Video: “First Draft: Adding a voice to the page”

Assignment: Vomit Draft + First Draft of Scene

Class Week Five

Lecture Video: “Revising: Bringing clarity, focus, and drive to every beat and line of dialogue”

Assignment: Revise Your Scene

What Students Are Saying

"Take it, especially if you're contemplating pursuing writing. I didn't have a foundation, heck I didn't ever thinking writing is something I could dive into, but this course really makes me hopeful and believe "I can do this". 10/10 recommend #noregrets"

"A learning experience that you will not easily forget thanks to the digestible lectures, the thoroughly fun assignments, and the sense of community that surrounds it all." - Matt D

"This is an amazing class and I can really feel that Chris is not only knowledgeable but passionate about writing! He also really cares about us students and went above and beyond to explain the topic to us and answer our questions. Thank you!"

About Your Instructor

Chris Amick is a writer and producer whose work includes: Co-EP/Co-Head Writer on Kung Fu Panda: the Dragon Knight (Netflix), Writer: Die Hart 2, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, Final Space, Adult Swim comedy specials, a TBA feature film for Universal Studios, development for Comedy Central, Dreamworks TV and more.

Join my free screenwriting newsletter - RESIDUALS - here

More Classes from Chris:

• Screenplay Format Workshop (intro class)
• Pitch Development Masterclass