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Scene Workshop Resources

This page will give you all the tools and information you’ll need for our upcoming workshop on January 18th. Below you’ll find out more on what to expect, how to prepare, and some helpful micro lectures on what makes a good scene great including a short video on formatting for newcomers, a video on the components that make up a great scene, and finally, a video applying all those pieces to the well known Catina Confrontation scene in Star Wars: A New Hope (I’ve also included a link to the script for those interested).

As always, if you have any questions, contact me for answers! The goal here is for you to get the information and feedback you need to make your good scene great.

Saturday, January 18th, 2025
2:00 – 5:00 PM Eastern Time
(1:00 PM Central | 11:00 AM Pacific | 7:00 PM UK)

WORKSHOP GOAL: An opportunity to get fresh eyes and ears on a specific script scene in your work-in-progress. Participants will share selected scenes, read pages aloud, and (following critique workshop rules) will provide feedback to help their fellow screenwriters.

A Zoom link will be sent via email once you’ve registered for the workshop.  Link/reminder will be resent on January 18th in the morning.

Script Software Options (for newcomers)

How to prepare

  • Select one properly formatted screenplay scene (up to 3 pages) for live workshop feedback. (For more info on formatting, check out the Micro Lessons below).
  • Either place the scene in a separate PDF or be prepared to tell the workshop which page to jump to.
  • Draft a one to three sentence explanation of your script and where the scene belongs.
  • List out (for yourself) the speaking parts within the scene. When it’s your turn, you’ll choose fellow participants to read parts so you can hear the scene aloud. Don’t include yourself — your job is to LISTEN during the reading of your scene.  The instructor will read the action descriptions.

What to expect

The idea here is for you to receive useful, LIVE feedback from the instructor and fellow screenwriters on a scene within your work-in-progress. Here’s how your turn works:

  • You’ll share your script file (via Zoom’s chat function) and tell the workshop about the plot, etc. (Up to 3 sentences, please — keeping it brief is great practice for future pitch sessions)
  • “Cast” your scene with other workshop participants
  • LISTEN as your scene is read. Take notes.
  • LISTEN as your fellow writers provide feedback (3 minutes a piece) with the instructor rounding out the critiques with some final comments
  • Then onto the next writer, providing your feedback while perhaps learning a thing or two from other works-in-progress

 Micro Lectures

ON FORMATTING (for beginners)

ON SCENE STRUCTURE, DRAMATIC BEATS, AND SCENE/SEQUEL SETUPS

PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER

Outside Resources