Classes

Screenwriters' Master Class

The objective in the Screenwriters' Master Class is to finish a feature-length screenplay outline/treatment or a screenplay draft by the end, although it is not a requirement. This workshop is designed for writers of all levels. In fact, students who have previously taken the Master Class are encouraged to return when they have new projects they'd like to take through the workshop process, and returning Master Class students always receive an alumni discount.

In the Master Class, we'll focus on a different element of the craft every week. There'll be weekly film-viewing assignment and in-class writing exercises, and participants can submit scripts, treatments, and story pitches for in-class review. Class time is a combination of lecture, discussion, in-class writing exercises, professional script excerpts and occasional film clips, and critiques of participants' story outlines and screenplays via our exclusive critique tool, "the two-way mirror."

Here is the syllabus week-to-week:

  1. Screenplay story structure (the difference between a story and a situation & our revolutionary "Nutshell technique" which will forever change how you watch and write for film)
  2. Plot development and our exclusive eight-sequence method
  3. Character development
  4. Dialogue
  5. Scene & action description, and a definitive formatting "bible" you'll swear by
  6. Scene and sequence construction, pacing, and transitions
  7. "Mini-slug" scene and action writing
  8. Advanced dialogue writing
  9. Advanced topics (i.e., tone, theme, imagery, voice)
  10. The business of screenwriting

Participants will use screenwriting software for all writing submitted for critique (access to free screenwriting software will be provided). Most writers prefer, however, using a pen and paper for the in-class writing exercises, although laptops are welcome in the classroom.

All programs at The Screenplay Workshop are taught by professional screenwriters and meet in our central Austin classrooms (near 38 St and Guadalupe). Early registration is encouraged.

See the current schedule of classes

See registration instructions

"I was amazed at how much
I got out of the Master Class taking it a second time!"

– Lisa Belcher
Videographer/Mom
Screenwriter, Fixed



"Jill Chamberlain gave me the tools to think clearly about my story. Her workshops are a MUST for anyone with a story they need help telling!"

– Jenn Garrison
Writer/Director, Checkout
Student Emmy Winner