Write Your Screenplay
in 8 Weeks
So you have an idea for a film script…but don’t know how to get it on the page?
Or maybe you’ve started one but you’ve got lost in procrastination, doubt or uncertainty in the process?
In this course, I will simplify the information you need, hold you accountable, and get you over the finish line in two months with a completed first draft 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 access to your first pre-recorded video lesson, a downloadable worksheet summarizing the main points of the lesson, and clear assignments for the coming week.
2
WEEKLY LESSONS
After that, there are 7 more weekly pre-recorded lessons (plus one bonus week). You choose when to watch the lesson and when to do the work. If you want to do one per week at that rate, you can. If you prefer to take longer to do the course, you are welcome to. This goes at your pace.
3
COMPLETE YOUR SCREENPLAY
In every weekly lesson, you will receive clear instructions on what you need to accomplish before you move onto the next lesson. You will feel guided, supported and encouraged – and this will get you to the finish line.
You are also invited to join me for 4 group zoom calls over the two months that you are writing your script.
In addition, you will also receive THREE BONUS TRAININGS:
1. LIES THAT WILL HOLD YOU BACK
2. AGENTS, MANAGERS & HOW TO GET ONE
3. TV PILOT MASTERCLASS
What past students say:
"There is a craft, a definite skill set to writing a professional script. Diane helps her students not
only understand the "mechanical clockwork" of a script, but also some of the ins and outs of
working within the movie industry. A seasoned professional, Diane helped me hone several of
my projects and understand both the intuitive and the analytical side of script writing. Now, I
am working with several writers, actors, directors and producers in Hollywood. It's a dream
come true."
Greg Tally
Founder of the Revival League Playhouse
“As a poet, the prospect of writing a screenplay seemed daunting to me. With Diane's
instruction and support, I began to feel that I could step a toe into this genre and even apply
some of the principles of poetry to the screenwriting craft. I'm currently revising the first draft
of my screenplay, using the notes I took in Diane's class to help maintain my story's momentum
and further develop the inner lives of my characters. I've made good progress and am thrilled
to say that I can actually see the finish line!”
Elizabeth Oxley
Poet
“If you are ready to quit talking about writing a screenplay and actually do it, take this course. I started with a scrap of an idea and in 8 weeks wrote a full-length screenplay. Now I’m in discussions about it with an independent Hollywood producer. Diane Bell does an outstanding job of taking you step-by-step to reach your goal. “
Judy Christie
www.JudyChristie.com
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 first screenplay.
I’ve attended the Sundance Screenwriter’s Lab and I’ve been teaching screenwriting since 2016. 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!
The method I share is how I approach EVERY script I now write. It’s been used by hundreds of my students and worked for them.
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!
“I looked forward to each class and truly enjoyed every lesson. The course had a positive impact on my script and my confidence grew with every page I wrote. I would recommend this course to anyone especially the aspiring writer.”
Dusty Laird
Video Editor
“I went into this class knowing virtually nothing about writing a screenplay. I had a story – a novel I was working on that had good cinematic potential – but no idea what to do with it. Fortunately, Diane was encouraging and helped every step of the way, from the basics to the more nuanced aspects of screenwriting. Whether you have a story plotted out or just an idea to run with, this class can help you reach your goal of getting a completed draft. Highly recommended!”
Sue Gelber
Humor writer, novelist, and now screenwriter
“I can’t recommend Diane’s course enough! Not only did I learn a ton about the art of screenwriting, but Diane offered an encouraging & safe space to develop my work. And to top it all off, I also connected with fellow writers who were in the same boat as me & formed lasting friendships with them. If you’re a budding screenwriter who wants to find an uplifting community as well as learn the ins & outs of this craft – this class is for you!”
Jill Harrigan
Screenwriter, Director, "Half Lost"
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! You will be guided through the basics and gain the knowledge and confidence to complete your first draft.
Of course the lessons will cover some material that you are already familiar with. However, if you’re looking to be guided through an efficient, creative approach to writing a first draft, plus crave accountability, deadlines and actually finishing, you’ll love it.
This will partly depend on you and how efficient you are!
The minimum?
Allow one hour per week for viewing the video lesson and reading the pdf. Beyond that, on average I’d say once you get into writing your screenplay, ideally you want to commit one hour/day, five days a week (the target after week 3 will be 4 pages of screenplay per day/five days a week, so 20 pages per week)
Of course it’s up to you. If you can write more, faster, good for you! If you take longer, you might need longer.
The most important thing to know is that you do this on your own schedule. If you want to do the first lesson then take a break, you can do that. You can take a year to write your screenplay or more, it’s your life and there are no rules! Some students like to do the first few lessons and then pause for a few weeks to really dig deep before going on. It’s all up to you. There’s no right or wrong.
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.
I will encourage you to do this, as it makes your work SO MUCH EASIER (otherwise you’re going to be creating a multitude of tabs in Word like in the olden days ;-). In the first lesson, I will discuss the options with you. There are free options but I haven’t tested these and can’t vouch for them.
Only in the first 14 days after purchasing. This gives you time to try the first two lessons, but after that there are no refunds.
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
This course is designed for writing a feature film script. That being said, I have written two pilots (one was sold but sadly never made) so although I’m not an expert, I can offer some guidance. The principles are largely the same, but the structure of a pilot is obviously different. Currently, there are many writers in the course who are working on pilots and I created a masterclass on writing TV pilots successfully and how to use the course to do it. This class is available to everyone who joins. I recommend you watch it BEFORE proceeding with the other classes in the course.
No, I don’t – and this is by design. The goal of the course is to empower you to write a first draft of a screenplay. To do that well, I think it’s essential to tune out the critic in our heads, to become a clear channel for the story that is coming through you. There is time when you finish it for polishing it and getting feedback – but getting feedback on something that isn’t finished isn’t helpful. My job is to give you the practical tools that you need, the guidance, and the confidence to trust your own instincts.
You will have the opportunity to ask questions at our monthly zoom calls.
As the lessons are pre-recorded it starts when you want it to. It’s entirely self-paced, so it works with your schedule.
Are you ready to start your screenwriting adventure?
Click below and get started today!
I’m so excited for you to write your screenplay!