Stage 32 Screenwriting Class: Master the Art of the Screenplay with Doug Atchison (AKEELAH AND THE BEE, BRIAN BANKS)

Writing a great screenplay can change everything for an aspiring or working writer. It builds your reputation, gets your work seen, and can lead to more opportunities and an enduring career. And if you're fortunate enough to get your script made, you'll experience the joy of entertaining audiences and contributing to the culture of movies. This is obviously the goal of many, but to write a truly great script requires a mastery of the craft. And that means mastering all four phases: the pre-planning, structuring, writing, and rewriting. No amount of business savvy can overcome knowledge deficits when it comes to craft, and if you’re serious about your writing, this is a core truth you'll need to embrace.

Most writers have good ideas for a script and a general grasp of story structure -- but they jump into their first draft too early. And don't spend nearly enough time re-examining and re-honing what they've written. Without an understanding of the unique language and discipline of screenwriting, you'll be at a huge disadvantage in a highly competitive field. But with the proper guidance and a commitment to putting in the work, you'll be well on your way to writing a standout script.

Doug Atchison has taken the very journey that you're embarking on -- and he's now a veteran filmmaker and much sought after screenwriter best known for writing and directing the award-winning feature film, AKEELAH AND THE BEE. AKEELAH (starring Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, and Keke Palmer) was a commercial and critical success for which Doug was awarded the NAACP Image Award for Best Screenplay. More recently Doug wrote the screenplay for BRIAN BANKS (starring Aldis Hodge, Greg Kinnear, and Morgan Freeman) for which he won the Humanitas Prize and was nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Best Screenplay. Throughout his career, Doug has written screenplays and TV projects for most major studios and production companies including Dreamworks, Lionsgate, ABC, Disney, HBO, Miramax, Blumhouse, Relativity, Dimension, Walden Media, and many more. Doug’s storied and impressive background has allowed him to develop and master the art of screenwriting, a skill set he’s ready to share with the Stage 32 community.

In this four session class, Doug will guide you through the four unique phases of screenwriting, the mastery of which has allowed him to sustain a 20 plus year career in Hollywood. Each session will delve into a different phase of the writing process: pre-planning, structuring, writing, and rewriting. Along the way, Doug will share exclusive handouts and scripts that can help you in your own writing. Whether you’re brand new to writing, returning to the craft after a break, or a practiced screenwriter looking to further your craft and seek inspiration, this course will help you develop the skills necessary to write a script you can be proud of, that can reach an audience, and launch and sustain a career.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• This class is designed for beginner and intermediate students to improve their screenwriting skills. This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed class with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• It will consist of four sessions, each roughly two hours long and spaced one week apart. In addition to the presentation-style lessons, you will have the opportunity to ask Doug questions during each session.
• 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 process.
• Payment plans available - contact Harrison at h.glaser@stage32.com for details
• To see the full class schedule, see below under "What You Will Learn".