Writing the Master Screenplay

Have you been struggling for years to finish the first draft of your screenplay?

Do you worry that you've yet to master the principles of Dialogue, Action, Characterization, and Storytelling?

Does the idea in your head not yet match the screenplay on your screen?

Are you unable or unwilling to pay for film school, and thus feeling stuck in terms of picking up professional screenwriting instruction?

Are you intimidated by professional screenwriting software, to the point where it prevents you from getting started on your script?

Are you intimidated by the rules of formatting, to the point where you're afraid to show your work to other people?

If any of the above apply to you, WRITING THE MASTER SCREENPLAY is a course you have to sign up for TODAY. Never before have the principles of screenwriting been served up in such a swift, clear, concise, and entertaining manner.

In 9 modules, you will be armed with more information on the art of screenwriting than many screenwriting students walk out of film school with!

When you take WRITING THE MASTER SCREENPLAY, you will get a no-nonsense, fat-free, utterly compelling and professional series of lectures that will deepen, broaden, and sharpen your understanding of Formatting, Dialogue, Action, Characterization, and Storytelling.

Learn all the rules that the pros have long followed.

Moreover, learn ancient storytelling practices that stretch back to the times before men and women could even speak.

You won't find any rigid formulas here.

On the contrary, you'll find yourself freer than ever, complete with the full understanding of how to execute a powerful and unforgettable motion picture or television screenplay.

Whether you're a beginner, an experienced amateur, or even a seasoned pro, WRITING THE MASTER SCREENPLAY is an invaluable source of information, inspiration, and illumination.

The beginners can come to learn it all; the pros can come to sharpen and shine their tools.

WRITING THE MASTER SCREENPLAY is THE essential online screenwriting course to bridge the gap between you and that completed, sparkling script.

What's Included

"I’ve read Eric’s scripts, seen his movies, and read his prose. He is a truly gifted writer. Eric knows how to tell compelling stories that you literally can't put down. He knows how to create rich and fascinating characters. He is a sharp reader of other people’s work. And he knows a ton about how the entertainment business works. I think Eric’s insights as a teacher would be incredibly valuable.”

Peter Buchman,

screenwriter of CHE PARTS 1 & 2 and JURASSIC PARK 3

“Eric Shapiro’s ability to conceptualize and articulate characters, dialogue and story structure is unparalleled. I’ve had the honor of being on the production side of his screen plays and have witnessed first hand how his writing seamlessly transitions to the moving image.”

Ian McGlocklin,

Emmy Award-winning cinematographer of THE MIND OF A CHEF

“Eric Shapiro’s Writing the Master Screenplay is brilliant for learning all the facets of screenwriting. Eric’s films, his scripts, his ability to create excellent characters, intriguing plots and a strong narrative reflect the basis of all good screenplays and ultimately films. If you’re serious about screenwriting, I urge you to take this class for incredible insight into the world of filmmaking.”

Kimberley Kates,

CEO/Producer, Big Screen Entertainment Group

“Eric Shapiro’s writing is killer—tense, unpredictable, a total pleasure to read—and his love of film is deep and scholarly. He distinguishes genre from tropes, fundamentals from formula. This guy has a virtuoso mind for storytelling, and knows exactly what he’s talking about.”

Marty Beckerman,

bestselling author of THE HEMING WAY and former editor at Esquire

“As a former television and film development executive, I’ve read HUNDREDS of screenplays and teleplays, 90% of which would’ve benefited greatly from WRITING THE MASTER SCREENPLAY. Screenplay writing is a creative art form, but it is so much more than having a great idea, talent and screenwriting software. There is a time-tested structure, storytelling guidelines, formatting, and style that aren’t necessarily intuitive, but can be taught. Eric is a successful veteran in the business with a passion for his craft and for teaching others. In Hollywood, you have one chance to make a first impression, so if you are serious about selling your screenplay, don’t delay – take this course!”

Charlie Jordan Brookins,

Producer/Director/Former Senior Vice President of Original Programming, BET Networks & Former Director of Development, MTV Films

“Writing the Master Screenplay is a must for anyone who desires to be a screenwriter or a storyteller in general. Beyond delivering on the basic do’s and don’t’s, Eric Shapiro shares his years of hard-earned experience with great wit and relatable humor. You’re not only enjoying a class taught by an industry professional but also being guided into the world of story crafting by a wise friend. This course encourages you to tell your best tales and allows you to keep a critical eye out for the mistakes all writers make with the intention of making you a better storyteller by the end of it.”

Zorinah Juan,

Producer/Host of DON'T BE A TOURIST, and Script Supervisor of BEASTS OF NO NATION, COLD IN JULY, and MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE

“Eric Shapiro’s Writing the Master Screenplay is a perfect tool for any writer. If you are a beginner, it will help you with fleshing out your scripts and if you have been writing for a while, it will give you some lovely tips and reminders on how best to move the story along, how to keep your writing tight, and how to develop interesting characters.”

Denise Gossett,

Founder/Director of Shriekfest Film Festival & Screenplay Competition

“I was fortunate enough to have acquired and distributed a film entitled “Living Things,” which Eric wrote and directed. The film is 75 minutes of verbal exchange between two characters in one location and it’s completely riveting from opening to end. It’s a testament to the entertainment value and power of exceptional screenwriting. In my job, I’m continually looking for films worth championing in the marketplace; films that encompass the foundations of truly good indie filmmaking: engrossing characters, dialogue, and storytelling. Eric’s command of these essentials is what makes him a bona fide talent in this business.”

Richard Castro,

COO & VP, Distribution & Acquisitions, Cinema Libre Studio

Module 1

FORMATTING

Just by studying a single page from an existing screenplay, learn everything you need to know to understand screenplay formatting. Dialogue, action lines, scene headings, character introductions... everything you need to know to get moving is packed within the single page we share.

Module 2

DIALOGUE

Learn how to craft dialogue so it always packs an emotional punch. Understand how to make your dialogue deliver emotional substance to the reader/viewer by giving subtle indications of what's below the surface.

Module 3

ACTION LINES

Become one of those select few screenwriters whose action lines people actually want to read. It's a dirty little secret that in Hollywood, readers skip over action lines and just read the dialogue. But we'll show you how to craft your action lines so they're absolutely addictive.

Module 4

CHARACTERIZATION

Gain an understanding of the main things everybody thinks are true about characterization that actually happen to be completely false. Become comfortable creating characters of infinite complexity, nuance, and depth.

Module 5

STORYTELLING

This is the MAIN MODULE. Learn the principles of master storytelling. Grow acquainted with the ingredients that every powerful story naturally has. Get encouraged to smash the rules once you understand them. And most importantly: Learn how storytelling ties directly to human nature and works as an essential part of human existence. (Once you learn THAT, it's all over -- there's no turning back!)

Module 6

3 CLASSICS

Study 3 excellent movies that rely upon classic storytelling.

Module 7

3 ANTI-PLOT CLASSICS

Study 3 excellent movies that throw classic storytelling out the window -- and learn exactly why they got away with it.

Module 8

3 SEMI-PLOT CLASSICS

Study 3 excellent movies that followed the rules of classic storytelling, but also played fast and loose with them, creating new structural and artistic possibilities.

Module 9

STATE OF THE ART

Get updated on what's going on in Hollywood right now, what the studios are buying, and how screenwriters should approach selling when they're ready to start doing so.

BONUS MODULE!

Have a problem with Procrastination? Well, not anymore! Give this baby a whirl and get to work!

* Call yourself an EXPERT on the major aspects of screenwriting.

* Understand why human beings tell stories, and precisely how storytelling works at a root, unconscious level.

* Execute any story you wish to tell with confidence, precision, and excellence.

* Analyze the movies you love (and the ones you don't!) at a super-deep level in terms of where they work and where they stumble.

* Decide with full depth if you prefer to use classical storytelling, ditch classical storytelling, or engage in experimental storytelling (or perhaps some combination of the three!).

* Write dialogue that hits readers/viewers on a gut emotional level.

* Write action lines that readers actually aren't tempted to skip over (which they usually do!).

* Create characters who reflect fundamental truths about human nature/the people in your audience.

* Understand what it means to be a screenwriting master (Handy Hint: There are no true masters, as everyone can always learn and explore more...).

* Feel liberated to PLAY AROUND in the course of penning your motion picture screenplay, despite all the handy tools, tricks, tips, and principles that you now have at your disposal.

Who will be teaching the course?

Eric Shapiro -- filmmaker, screenwriter, author, ghostwriter.

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Eric's first feature film, RULE OF THREE (2010), was released to iTunes and Netflix after winning Best Actor at the Fantasia International Film Festival, winning Best Acting Performance at Shriekfest, and having its U.S. Premiere at Austin's Fantastic Fest.

His second feature film, LIVING THINGS, was endorsed by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and released by Cinema Libre Studio in 2014.

His novella IT'S ONLY TEMPORARY (2005) was on the Preliminary Nominee Ballot for the Bram Stoker Award in Long Fiction and appeared on Nightmare Magazine's list of the Top 100 Horror Books. The two novels he edited for Evil Jester Press -- CANDY HOUSE by Kate Jonez and MALEDICTION by Lisa Morton -- were both nominated for Bram Stoker Awards in 2014.

He has been commissioned to write screenplays for Stephen Herek (director of BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE, THE MIGHTY DUCKS, MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS), Aloris Entertainment (producers of TNT's TALES FROM THE CRYPT), Big Screen Entertainment Group, MovieRockets Entertainment, and many other individuals and companies.

Eric won the 19th Annual Fade In Award for Thriller Screenplay (with Kris Lippert) in 2015.

He has had short fiction published in numerous anthologies alongside work by Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Chuck Palahniuk, and many others.

Eric lives in Northern California with his wife, Rhoda Jordan, and their sons, Benjamin and Henry Shapiro.

I'm very busy. How long will this course actually take?

Everyone will go at their own pace with this course, so the time will vary. If you devote just half an hour a day to listening to a lecture or working on one of the exercises/worksheets, you can most likely complete the entire course in a couple of weeks.

Supposing I don't like WRITING THE MASTER SCREENPLAY?

Not a problem! We won't take it personally. Every purchase comes with a 10-day cancellation policy. If, within 10 days of purchasing or beginning to take WRITING THE MASTER SCREENPLAY, you are not satisfied, then simply contact us to cancel your contract and request your money back.

I've read a lot of screenwriting books. What will WRITING THE MASTER SCREENPLAY teach me that's any different?

TONS. No other screenwriting course on the market is as to-the-point and devoid of fluff as WRITING THE MASTER SCREENPLAY. The information is presented in as crisp, clear, fast, and compelling a manner as possible. This isn't some book you read on the train; this is a call to action. This is a sensory experience designed to open your mind and heart to the capacity for writing an excellent screenplay.

Will you help me sell my screenplay once it's done?

Of course not, because that's what agents are for! The good news is, we include a special module called "The State of the Art" that provides expert commentary on how the marketplace is looking right now and how best to approach it if you're just starting out.

But I like TV shows more than movies lately. Can you help me write for television?

BIG-TIME! Most of the dramatic content for more mature and conscious viewers is on television these days, and WRITING THE MASTER SCREENPLAY is well aware of that. The course goes into classic shows like BREAKING BAD and THE SOPRANOS, regarding them as true cinema and not just focusing on "movie-movies."

What if my screenplay doesn't sell?

Good news! Once you take WRITING THE MASTER SCREENPLAY, you'll have the know-how to write 100 excellent screenplays. Needless to say, there are no guarantees when it comes to the marketplace, but one thing we guarantee is that if you go out there with a paltry and unprofessional piece of work, you're bound to end up disappointed.

There's absolutely no reason under the sun why the screenplay idea living in your mind and heart isn't presently shining from the page.

With a minimal investment of time and money, you will have everything you need to make that screenplay into a reality.

This course is more personable and impassioned than a screenwriting book, and WAAAAY more financially reasonable than plunging into debt by attending film school.

Instructor Eric Shapiro is committed to enlightening students around the world on this most amazing of art forms. Come join and get an electrifying upload of passion, information, and inspiration.

You are one choice away from making that screenplay happen…

The Online Course