The Course is Closed. Sign Up to get notified when it reopens.
Write Your Screenplay in 8 Weeks
So you have an idea but don’t know how to get it on the page?
Or you’ve got lost in procrastination, doubt or uncertainty in the process.
Sundance award winning screenwriter Diane Bell will simplify the information you need, hold you accountable, and get you over the finish line in two months, with a script you’ll be proud of.
Want to Write a Screenplay?
In this course you will be guided from concept through to completing a first draft in just 8 weeks.
You’ll not only learn everything you need to successfully complete your first draft, you’ll also be held accountable with deadlines and community support.
Whether you’re absolutely new to screenwriting or have experience but want support and inspiration through the first draft process, this program will help you achieve your goal.
Here's How It Works:
1
START IMMEDIATELY
When you sign up, you will receive an email containing a link to the first video lesson, a pdf summarizing the main points of the lesson, and clear assignments for the coming week.
2
WEEKLY LESSONS
After that, you’ll receive a new lesson (via email) every seven days for a total of eight weeks. You choose when to watch it and when to do the work.
3
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
You will be invited to join an exclusive closed group on Facebook where you can get support, and share your goals, challenges and triumphs. You can also get personal feedback on your logline and pitch.
With focused deadlines and a supportive community, you will finish a first draft within 8 weeks.
You’ll also receive a ONE HOUR BONUS TRAINING: Sell Your Screenplay.
In this session, you’ll learn the steps you need to take AFTER you write your script to make sure it gets made.
The Course is Closed. Sign Up to get notified when it reopens.
About Me
Hi, I’m Diane Bell, and I’m a Sundance award-winning screenwriter and director.
I’ve written a dozen screenplays, half of them specs, the other half commissioned (or writer for hire). These include two with the legendary John McTiernan (director of Die Hard, Predator, The Hunt for Red October, etc).
My first movie as writer/director premiered at Sundance and won two awards. It went on to be nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards, including one for best screenplay.
I’ve attended the Sundance Screenwriter’s Lab and I’ve been teaching screenwriting for over three years. I’ve also written a book about indie filmmaking, Shoot From the Heart.
The very first screenplay I wrote took me 8 weeks to write….over 3 years. It was optioned and it jumpstarted my career – but three years to write a script?!
That experience is the inspiration behind this course.
I want to help you write your first draft in 8 weeks, over 8 weeks!
It’s totally possible and the method I share is how I approach EVERY script I now write.
If you don’t want to wait years to finish your script and want to jumpstart your own career, sign up and let’s do this!
What will we be covering?
Week 1
Anatomy of a Screenplay
You’ll learn the fundamental underlying structure of all screenplays and start thinking about the style, genre and structure of your own movie.
Week 2
Foundations of Your Screenplay
Without great characters, you don’t have a movie. This week you’ll learn how to create unforgettable characters as well as how to outline your movie and why you should do it.
Week 3
Anatomy of a Scene
We’ll delve into screenwriting formatting as well as take a look at the building block of any screenplay, the scene and how to write a great one. You’ll also discover what is essential in the first ten pages of your script- and then you’ll write those!
Week 4
Talking Pictures
From here on, you’ll be writing at least 20 pages per week of your script. The lessons will be there to guide and inspire you. This week you’ll dig into what makes for good dialogue and how to make sure yours is hitting the mark. You’ll also learn strategies to keep you on track and make sure you finish.
Week 5
2nd Act Issues
Now that you are well into writing your own first draft, you’ll learn the dangers of a dull second act and how to make sure you avoid them.
Week 6
Seven Plots
This week as you march towards completing your 2nd act, it’s time to take a look at classical plots and see if they can help you keep raising the stakes and finish your second act powerfully.
Week 7
3rd Act Essentials
The way a movie ends can make or break it. We’ll cover how to make sure yours finishes with a bang and not a sizzle.
Week 8
What's Next?
As you come to the end of your first draft, this lesson will give you advice on what to do next to take your script to the next level and actually get it made.
BONUS #1
Lies that Will Hold You Back
In this bonus session, you’ll learn common self-limiting beliefs around selling screenplays that will block your success. Honestly, this session might be the most important of them all. If you want to achieve success at the highest level, you need to do this work.
BONUS #2
Agents, Managers and How to Get One
We’ll discuss the difference between agents and managers, who you should be going after now, and how to land one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to a number of FAQs… but seriously if you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to support@dianebell.com.
Friend, I wish I could guarantee it – but it’s up to you to do the work! I can guide you and tell you what you need to do each week, but I can’t write the pages for you. However, if you follow my instructions, yes, you will finish your draft.
Absolutely! I was living in Barcelona, Spain when I wrote and sold my first screenplay! Georgraphy is not a block – you can do this wherever you are.
Most of the successful screenwriters I know in Hollywood sold their first few projects themselves – and then had agents and managers pursuing them. I honestly don’t believe this is a block at all. You absolutely can sell a screenplay without representation and many do it every year.
Only after the first two lessons have been delivered. If you’re not absolutely loving the course by then, you can drop out and get your money back. Obviously you will no longer have access to the FB group after then.
Absolutely. I want you to be able to reference it as often as it feels helpful to you. You’ll also have access to all future updates