Story Development Workshop: Crafting Your Original Story

FILM TV X 476.244

Producers, development executives, directors, and writers gain practical experience adapting and developing their own stories for motion pictures, movies-of-the-week, and miniseries.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS COURSE
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Online
In Person
Starting at $785.00
As few as 11 weeks
4.0

What you can learn.

  • Acquire techniques that strengthen character development
  • Learn the importance of collaboration with writers
  • Write development notes and learn the difference between beat sheets, step outlines, and story outlines
  • Compile directors/writers lists
  • Assess the marketplace and understand what network and studio executives are looking for
  • Learn how to pitch an idea

About this course:

Producers, development executives, directors and writers gain practical experience adapting and developing their own stories for motion pictures, movies-of-the-week and miniseries. Emphasis is placed on studying dramatic structure, learning techniques that strengthen character development and understanding the importance of collaboration with writers. You are called upon to write development notes; compile directors/writers lists; and learn the difference between beat sheets, step outlines and story outlines. You also learn how to assess the marketplace by determining what network and studio executives are looking for, as well as the best way to quickly and effectively pitch an idea. You are welcome to submit written works in-progress for in-class critiques. At the end of the course, you have honed your storytelling craft by writing original treatments based on your story outline developed in class.
Prerequisites
Good written communication skills. Previous training in story analysis is recommended but not required.

Winter 2025 Schedule

Date & Time
Details
Format
 
-
Tuesday 7:00PM - 10:00PM PT
Available
See Details
Instructor: Kate Schumaecker
401077
Fee:
$785.00
In Personformat icon
Location: UCLA
Notes

Enrollment limited; early enrollment advised. Internet access required.  

Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 20, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Lecture
Tue Jan 7, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Jan 14, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Jan 21, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Jan 28, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Feb 4, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Feb 11, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Feb 18, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Feb 25, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Mar 4, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Mar 11, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Mar 18, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
-
This section has no set meeting times.
Available
See Details
Instructor: Scott Agostoni
400551
Fee:
$785.00
Onlineformat icon
Notes
Enrollment limited; early enrollment advised. Internet access required. 
Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 10, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.

Spring 2025 Schedule

Date & Time
Details
Format
 
-
Tuesday 7:00PM - 10:00PM PT
Future Offering (Opens February 03, 2025 12:00:00 AM)
See Details
Instructor: Marla White
402415
Fee:
$785.00
In Personformat icon
Location: UCLA
Notes
Enrollment limited; early enrollment advised. Internet access required.  
Refund Deadline
No refunds after April 06, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Book: Save The Cat
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Lecture
Tue Apr 1, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Apr 8, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Apr 15, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Apr 22, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Apr 29, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue May 6, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue May 13, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue May 20, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue May 27, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Jun 3, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
Lecture
Tue Jun 10, 2025
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA
Bunche Hall 2168
-
This section has no set meeting times.
Future Offering (Opens February 03, 2025 12:00:00 AM)
See Details
Instructor: Scott Agostoni
402294
Fee:
$785.00
Onlineformat icon
Notes
Enrollment limited; early enrollment advised. Internet access required. 
Refund Deadline
No refunds after April 06, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.

Contact Us

Speak to a program representative. Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.

This course applies towards the following certificates & specializations…

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