Screenwriting 101

You have a movie idea. Maybe it’s been in your head for months - or maybe you’re just getting started. But how do you turn that idea into a story that actually works?

Screenwriting 101 is a hands-on, one-day workshop designed to give aspiring screenwriters and filmmakers a practical foundation for developing a compelling, coherent, and producible screenplay.

Led by award-winning writer, producer, actor, and mentor Kristina Sullivan, the workshop will take you through the essential building blocks of storytelling - from developing your central idea and protagonist to creating a beginning, middle, and end and mapping out what happens next.

The goal isn't to overwhelm you with everything there is to know about screenwriting. Instead, you'll leave with clarity, direction, and a practical roadmap for moving your story forward.

🎬 Develop Compelling Characters
Create authentic, memorable characters with clear wants, needs, conflicts, and stakes.

✍️ Shape Your Story
Turn your initial idea into a focused story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

🧩 Build Your Story Roadmap
Learn a step-by-step approach to organizing your story and developing a screenplay outline.

👀 Keep Your Audience Watching
Explore what makes audiences care about your characters and want to know what happens next.

🎥 Write for Film
Learn the fundamentals of writing visually and creating scenes that can come to life on screen.

📋 Think Producibly
Understand how to develop a story that is not only compelling, but realistic and achievable as a film.

By the end of the workshop, you'll have:

• A clearer, more focused film idea
• A preliminary logline or story concept
• A basic beginning, middle, and end
• The foundation of a compelling protagonist
• An understanding of your character's wants, needs, conflict, and stakes
• A basic story roadmap
• A better understanding of what keeps an audience engaged
• An introduction to writing a realistic, producible screenplay
• A completed Screenplay Blueprint to take into the next stage of your writing process

You're an aspiring screenwriter, filmmaker, actor, creative, or storyteller who has a film idea but isn't quite sure how to turn it into a screenplay.

You don't need to have a completed script - or even extensive screenwriting experience. Whether you're starting with a single idea, a character, or simply a story you want to tell, this workshop will help you begin giving that story shape.

You don't have to leave the workshop with a finished screenplay.

You do want to leave knowing:

“I finally know what my movie is about - and I know what I need to do next.”

Standard Workshop Investment: $100

We believe talented local creatives should have access to opportunities to develop their craft, even when the standard workshop investment isn't within their budget.

A limited number of Community Access spots are available for local creatives who would love to participate but may need a more accessible price.

Pay what you can. No questions asked.

Community Access spots are limited, so if you need an accessible option, please reserve your spot while they are available.

Event venue & nearby stays

The Actors Cut, 5223 1/2 Lankershim Boulevard, Los Angeles, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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