2008 Online Classes -- Group and Private classes now filling, SPACE IS LIMITED!
on this page:
I. General
Information
on Online Classes
II.
6-Week Private Workshop -- Personalized Guidance as
you write a New Script
III. Group Online
Classes '08
IV. TESTIMONIALS from students
V. "Story
Maps" Master Class
VI. Screenwriting 101 --
Beat the Reader!
VII. "How To Work as a Reader" Class
VIII. Short Bio for Daniel Calvisi
TO REGISTER...
I. GENERAL INFORMATION on Online Classes...
- Instructor for all classes: Daniel Calvisi (short bio below)
- Lecture material and discussions conducted primarily via Email for more personalized guidance and a true "writer's group" feeling.
- No scheduled "live" chats -- you work on your own schedule.
- These are NOT Auto-Generated Emails like many other online classes! Every email is coming from me directly to you.
- Weekly deadlines keep you on track.
- It pays to book early. I often offer a discount for booking
your slot early (please email me for info on current discount
offers)
- If start dates are not posted on this page, please
email me for the current status.
- Your Goal is your choice. The important thing is...
- A Writer writes. Join us.
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II. 6-Week
Private Workshop ("Write Your Next
Screenplay") $600
***SEASONAL SALE: $575
The most
personalized, cost-effective
screenplay course available on the web!!
Personalized guidance via email as you develop your new
screenplay. A structured, proven 6 week schedule takes you from
initial concept to a detailed outline and your first 30 pages in proper
script format.
You will get much personal attention, detailed notes on all of your
work and priority email response.
This private course
is completely between you and me, conducted totally via email.
No automatic emails! There is no better guidance as you write a
new screenplay.
The process: I will email you a
new lecture and assignment on Tuesday;
we will discuss it in private emails during the week, and your
assignment
(outline or script pages) will be due the following Monday.
- The schedule...
- Week 1- Introduction to the Story Map Method/ Logline & Basic Story Map
- Week 2- Full Story Map with Beat Sheet/ 3-Act Structure and the 10 Crucial Beats/ Story Engines/ Lines of Action
- Week 3- Revised Beat Sheet/ Complete Scene Outline/ "Show, don't Tell! "
- Week 4- First 10 pgs/ Active Storytelling/ Voice/ Theme
- Week 5- Act One/ Character/ Dialogue
- Week 6- Act Two and Beyond... -- Final Assignment due: rewritten first 30 pages + revised Story Map and Scene List.
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III. GROUP
ONLINE CLASSES now filling 
new group class starting in
june '08!! CONTACT ME ASAP TO GET ON THE WAITING LIST AND TO book
EARLY FOR BEST PRICE...
Looking to write your new screenplay on deadline with
supportive
feedback from a Pro Reader and a small group of writers, on your own
time?
My group classes are the best screenwriting courses you can
take from the comfort of your own home. You will benefit from
detailed lectures with plenty of examples taken from successful movies,
multiple sets of notes from your fellow writers and myself, hard
deadlines that will keep you motivated, and support from your
classmates who are pursuing similar goals.
The basic goal is to complete the first Act (30 pgs.) or first half
(50-60 pgs.) of
your
screenplay and a
detailed Outline of the complete screenplay by the end of the 6
weeks.
In our last class, 3 of the 6 writers opted to extend their schedule an
extra 3 weeks and they completed a full draft of their
screenplay!
Length: 6 weeks
Enrollment: 4-6 writers
Price: $199 (paid in 2 installments. 1st installment is $100)
Requirement: Permission of Instructor (writing sample required)
Summer Dates TBA -- please EMAIL ME
to get on the waiting list and I'll contact you once we're closer to a
start date -- the class runs only when we get a good group
together.
IV. TESTIMONIALS
"Dan, you are an inspiring teacher, thank you. Your deep understanding of this writing process and your insight into everyone's work - it makes it happen! "
"I'd really like to thank Dan and the
class for this great experience. It has been a lot of fun working with
everyone and having the schedule and accountability really, really
helped me to finish the script. I very much enjoyed reading everyone's
work and wish everyone the best of luck with their scripts and hope to
keep in touch in the future!
P.S. Dan - When is the next class you are going to offer?"
"I liked the fact that it was oriented
toward the writing and that it
was small and intimate
enough that I knew I had to hold my end up."
"You always gave positive
reinforcement that made me want
to make the script even better."
"the format was really
great."
"Personally I like email rather
than chats or forums."
"I was very happy with what I
accomplished and am still moving forward on this script."
"I felt I really had a handle on
what I needed after your input and that of my 'NOTES BUDDY'."
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V. “STORY MAPS” MASTER CLASS $200
**SEASONAL SALE: $185
(2-3 hour class + materials + Story Map analysis)
If you have some experience and you're starting a new script, this
is ideal for you.
I introduce you to my Story Maps method, which breaks
down each dramatic element of your story and focuses the plot on
concise lines of action. Using a helpful worksheet, I will show you
step-by-step exactly how to fashion your ideas into a structured
narrative that you can turn into a polished treatment or completed
draft. This method can locate story problems in your existing drafts,
or get you on the right track as you prepare to write a new screenplay.
Once you've prepared a first draft outline using the worksheet I
send you, I will email you detailed notes and we will have a phone
call to discuss your story.
VI. SCREENWRITING 101 -- BEAT THE
READER! $150
**SEASONAL SALE: $99
(2 hour class, by phone and email + materials)
For beginners looking to learn more about screenwriting, this is the best crash course you can get in the form, format, structure and techniques of the modern commercial screenplay. This introduction into my Story Maps method will give you the fast track around reading umpteen books on screenwriting and provide you with the 10 Most Crucial Skills you need to Beat the Reader! Start NOW with the best training and most simple and practical approach you can find.
VII. "HOW TO WORK AS A READER" CLASS $175
***SEASONAL SALE: $150
(2 hour class + materials)
This class gives you the inside scoop on how to be a professional Story Analyst for the major movie studios, agencies and production companies — how this job can make you money and benefit your screenwriting career. I will teach you crucial story analysis tools, tutor you on producing a great coverage sample, and provide tips on getting work. We will look at samples of my on-the-job coverage, including my coverage on “The Sixth Sense” submission draft and the best-selling book “Memoirs of a Geisha." I have taught this popular class to hundreds of students at three different educational institutions.
How it works:
- I will email you the class syllabus and coverage samples as attached Word docs. You can print these out and have them in front of you as we talk.
- We talk in a 2 hour phone call (on your bill); I give my lecture content while we go over the syllabus and coverage samples. I’ll answer any questions you have.
- BONUS! if you write your own sample coverage, you can email me this file within two months of the consultation and I’ll provide notes.
VIII. Daniel Calvisi is a former Senior Story Analyst for Miramax Films and Dimension Films and Staff Reader for Fox 2000, published writer in Script magazine and has 10+ years of experience as a Teacher and Script Coach. He is a professional screenwriter and has taught screenwriting and story analysis for the New School University (on-site and on-line), Cabrillo College Extension, The Learning Annex and The Seminar Center.
TO REGISTER:
Use Paypal buttons above (credit
card okay) or EMAIL ME
(Cashier's Check and Money Orders also accepted)