Stage 32 Master Screenwriting Basics Certification: Learn All The Fundamentals Of Screenwriting In 16 Weeks (October 2026)

Private, interactive class on Zoom with a working screenwriter who's sold nearly every script she's written

Get hands-on feedback on your pages, exclusive handouts, and one-on-one consultation time with AZ

Only 10 spots available 

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

Every great script you've ever loved on screen started as words on a page that made someone feel something — before a single frame was shot. If you're serious about breaking into film or television, mastering the fundamentals of screenwriting isn't optional — it's the foundation everything else is built on. Format, structure, character, pacing — get these right, and you give your story the best possible chance of connecting with readers, executives, and eventually, audiences.

But here's where so many emerging writers get stuck. You know you have a story worth telling, yet turning that idea into a properly formatted, professionally structured script feels like its own language. You're not sure how to build a character arc that actually holds together, how to pace a scene so it breathes instead of drags, or how to write subtext so your dialogue says more than what's on the surface. Maybe you've written pages of action lines that tell instead of show, or dialogue that feels flat no matter how many times you rewrite it. These aren't signs you're not cut out for this — they're the exact obstacles this lab was built to help you move past.

You'll be learning directly from AZ Yeamen, a working writer who has sold nearly every script she's written and become the go-to name for revisions, doctoring, and pitch packages for networks like Netflix, TVOne, Aspire TV, UMC Streaming, and Bounce TV. Most recently, she served as a Story Editor on Covenant on AMC's ALLBLK. AZ doesn't just know the craft — she's lived it in the rooms where scripts get bought, developed, and produced, and she brings that same granite-hard work ethic to developing new talent.

Over 16 weeks, you'll work through script formatting, story structure, character development, scene construction, dialogue, and subtext — then put it all into practice by analyzing iconic pilots and films before completing your own assessment. With one-on-one time with AZ, a dedicated classmate lounge, and hands-on feedback on your pages every step of the way, you'll walk away with a script built on real fundamentals, an authentic writing voice you can trust, and a certification that shows the industry you've done the work.

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!

Testimonials from AZ's previous Stage 32 Courses:

"First and foremost, AZ is AMAZING! The information provided, the examples, the illustrations, the assignments were all geared towards equipping us to become great scriptwriters. I MUST take the course again. Nothing but applause for AZ and her style of teaching." -- Chris S

"Not only does AZ know her stuff, but she articulates it very well. I highly recommend working with her no matter what stage your project is at. She'll work with you to take it from good to great." -- Alyssa B.

"AZ is truly the best teacher I've ever had. She's not just a talented writer, but a great teacher who really cares about her students. I can't recommend her certification course enough!" -- Laura L.