8-Part Screenwriting Lab: Write Your Elevated Genre Script

Private, interactive lab on Zoom hosted by an accomplished Creative Executive and Producer who worked on THE MARTIAN, BLADE RUNNER 2049, and ALIEN: COVENANT!

Develop your sci-fi, fantasy, or magical realism feature or pilot from concept to completed first draft in just 8 weeks

Only 10 spots available - 2 Spots Remain!

Payment plans available at checkout or email edu@stage32.com for more info!

Science fiction and fantasy are two of the most exciting and expansive genres in film and television today. From epic space adventures and futuristic thrillers to magical worlds and grounded speculative dramas, these genres let writers explore big ideas about humanity, morality, technology, and the unknown — all while grounding fantastical concepts in emotionally rich, character-driven storytelling, often called “elevated genre.” Studios, streamers, and independent producers are always looking for bold new voices, but turning a great idea into a compelling script takes more than imagination. It requires a strong story foundation, layered characters, and immersive worlds. In Allison Margaret Reid’s Elevated Genre Lab, you’ll leave with a completed first draft and the practical tools to craft powerful, emotionally resonant genre stories that capture both the imagination of audiences and the attention of industry professionals.

Many writers struggle when tackling sci-fi or fantasy because they focus too heavily on world building or mythology while neglecting character and story. Others create elaborate universes  but struggle to introduce them clearly to the audience, resulting in scripts that feel confusing or  overly complex. Balancing imaginative concepts with accessible storytelling is one of the  greatest challenges of genre writing. In this eight-week lab, you will learn how to harness your  imagination while grounding your story in strong structure, character arcs, and emotional  stakes. Through lectures, weekly writing assignments, and one-on-one consultations, you will  develop your sci-fi or fantasy feature screenplay or television pilot from concept to completed  first draft. You’ll also gain insight into how genre projects are evaluated by producers,  development executives, and financiers in today’s marketplace.

Guiding you through this process is producer and development executive Allison Margaret Reid. Allison served as Director of Development at Ridley Scott’s production company, Scott Free, where she worked on major films including THE MARTIAN, BLADE RUNNER 2049, and ALIEN: COVENANT. She is also the Associate Producer of the independent film JUNGLELAND, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, and previously worked at Focus Features and Universal Pictures on films such as BRIDESMAIDS, WANDERLUST, and SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN. With experience developing studio films, independent projects, and working directly with writers, Allison understands exactly what producers, executives, and financiers look for when evaluating genre scripts.

Over the course of eight weeks, you will develop your sci-fi, fantasy, or magical realism screenplay or television pilot from concept to a completed first draft. You’ll explore the foundations of elevated genre, build immersive worlds with clear rules and internal logic, craft compelling protagonists and inciting incidents, and structure your story through Acts I, II, and III. Through lectures, writing assignments, and one-on-one consultations, you’ll refine your story, strengthen your character arcs, and learn how to position your script for the marketplace. By the end of this lab, you will walk away with a completed first draft and the tools to create powerful, emotionally resonant genre stories that capture both imagination and industry attention.

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 your Stage 32 Educator and given a questionnaire to fill out and send back to them. You will have access to your Educator for the duration of your class by email to ask them 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 Allison's Education:

“I liked hearing about the presenter’s experiences with writing and with production.”  -  Anjetta M.

“Allison's presentation style was clear and measured so I had time to write pages of notes. She is knowledgeable about her subject and provided excellent information. It was worth getting up at 5am to listen live, and she graciously answered my questions. I enjoyed the webinar immensely. Thank you!”  - Ingrid S.

"Loved the talk on the hows and whys writers become producers. I love too the base knowledge you need to make that first step." -Cynna

"Allison is amazing, and knows her stuff" -Stephanie