Catalyst
Do you have a great movie idea burning inside you?
If you want to write a screenplay that sells, look no further than Real Ideas Studio's Screenwriting Summer Workshop! During this virtual intensive, an accomplished Hollywood screenwriter will take you from the uncertainty of the blank page to the bliss of a completed screenplay in only 10 weeks.
You’ll be walked through the exact steps you need to take to create an irresistible story, unforgettable characters, dramatic structure that moves your story along, cinematic language, and compelling dialogue.
Each week, you’ll focus on the elements that take you from idea, to completed screenplay. And you’ll be guided through the process by Jason Hellerman, an accomplished writer whose screenplay, Shovel Buddies, made the top 10 of annual Black List, and was purchased and produced by AwesomenessTV. The movie starred Bella Thorne, and premiered at the SXSW film festival! Since then, he’s continued to work with Hollywood producers to create offbeat, heartfelt stories to bring to life onscreen.
Each session will last approximately 2 hours, starting with a brainstorm and film discussion — followed by the day’s topic, where you will be guided step by step through the writing process.
Jason will walk you through writing your first draft from start to finish, all within the 10-week timeframe.
You’ll present your ideas, written pages, and your process along with other participants. Discussion and participation will drive edits to make your finished product even better.
It’s all made possible through Reel Ideas Studio, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization seeking to redefine “real-world experience” as a global collaborative through cultural immersion within mentored creative arts programs.
This intensive is committed to helping you make your story the best it can be. With Jason’s expert guidance and support from your fellow participants, you will have a completed screenplay you could sell by Summer’s end!
Class Limited to Only 20 Spaces
Mentor
Jason Hellerman
Jason Hellerman graduated from Penn State University in Film Production & English and holds an MFA in Screenwriting & Film Theory from Boston University. His screenplay, Shovel Buddies, made the top ten of the annual Black List and was purchased and produced by AwesomenessTV. It debuted at the SXSW film festival. Since then he’s worked on features and TV shows with producers and directors all over town, and continues to look for offbeat and heartfelt stories to bring to the screen.
BEAT SHEET
Week One: Ideation, Creation, Characters, and Conflict
Screenplay Format overview
We’ll learn about loglines, outlines, and genre
What makes for an interesting character?
Week Two: Opening Scenes, Character Intros, and the First 10 Pages
How can you hook the reader right away?
How does your reader identify the genre?
What are some ways to meet your characters?
Week Three: First Acts and Worldbuilding
What should happen in the first 30 pages of your story?
How can we tell if the first act is humming?
Does the audience understand the world?
Week Four: Breaking into Two and B stories
Learn how to get your characters into more trouble and ease the audience deeper into the story.
How can B stories aid the A story?
Execute plant and payoffs.
Week Five: Second Acts and Embracing the Genre
What tropes or expectations will the audience have?
Learn how to make original ideas of familiar beats.
Week Six: The Midpoint and Beyond
Pivot your characters and story from where they were
Surprise your audience for where the story can go
Get through pages 50-75
Week Seven: Third Acts
What are some key beats the story should hit?
How can you begin to wrap up storylines
Pay off the things you planted.
Week Eight: Wrapping Up Your Movie
How do all the plotlines converge?
What does a solid character arc look like?
Wind down your script without losing momentum
Week Nine: The Ending Scenes
What does the audience expect out of an ending scene?
Is there room for a sequel?
Hint where the story could go
Week Ten: Rewrites and Finding Representation
How do you tackle rewriting your own work?
What can you do with your script when it’s done?
Are query letters worth it?
call to action
This course consists of 10 weekly live virtual classes to give students time to work on their screenplay in between sessions. Each session would last between roughly 1.5 and 2 hours, starting with a brief brainstorming/film discussion to open each class, followed by the day’s lesson, guiding students step by step through the writing process, and finishing with a question & answer portion.
Enrolled students will start a new screenplay and finish a draft by the end of the 10 weekly sessions.
DATES:
June 6th - August, 8th
ADMISSIONS:
Deadline: June 5th 11:59pm PST
Class Size: 20 students
Level: Beginner to Intermediate, either at the beginning of your writing career, or writers who have been writing for a while but feel they could use a new perspective on the process.
Age: 18+
TUITION & FEES:
10 Week Online Course: $500.00 USD
*Class session links will be emailed ahead of each session.
*Free Cancelation within 24 hours of the end of the first session.
SOFTWARE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Celtx is free (for a time), Final Draft is great but expensive, Highland is the best cheap option. You can use Fade In, Movie Magic, or whatever works for you.