Storytelling Basics and Support: For Screenwriters, Playwrights, and Others

From 38 C$ /h

Looking to start writing your first screenplay, play, or something else of your liking? Want help with something you're currently writing? In this class, you'll learn how the structure of a story functions and improve upon any part of storytelling you want to get better at.

Practices in class include writing exercises, in-class proofreading, and delving into other pieces of work to see what makes them a good story.

Extra information

Make sure to have some sort of writing tool/software that you use!
For novels = anything! But for screenplays/stageplays/comics = Final Draft, etc.

Location

Online from United States

About Me

Hello, my name's Alina! Originally a biology major, I switched to the arts (particularly writing) as I have a knack for story building and creativity that I've wanted to make clear for myself and others.

Though I've had experience working with others on projects, this is my first time teaching people about something I know, so despite being on the shyer side, I'm excited to see what's in store for this part of my life.

I'm accepting of all students and believe in the idea that the best class is one that is open to discussion, thought, and critique. Since I'm quite tech-savvy, I'm almost always available to answer student responses, and want to provide them with the most and highest-quality information I can give them.

Outside of writing, I like to work on films, listen/play music, do art, read comics, cook, go to the gym, explore new places, and go out stargazing when I can.

Education

Sophomore at Drexel University studying for a B.S. in Screenwriting & Playwriting with a minor in Film & TV Production. Total GPA is a 3.5, but my previous term was a 3.6.

Experience / Qualifications

In the past, I've developed my own story for a summer Honors program and collaborated with the program director for my major on his own historical script about atomic Las Vegas at the start of the Cold War. I've also written my own scripts and plays throughout the course of a year now, and planning to develop two scripts into a play and a short film this winter quarter!

Age

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Duration

30 minutes

45 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Skills

Creative writing

Filmmaking

Playwriting

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -04:00)

New York

Online via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Cami

4.9

(29)

Overcome your fears and unlock creative inspiration to finally get to the end of your writing project.

Let yourself be guided and finally realize your dream of writing.

➤ Overcome your fears.
➤ Discover the secret to writing 100% fun and 0% blank pages.
➤ Awaken this writer's flame that has been dormant in you for a long time.
➤ Build unwavering legitimacy and overcome the fear of failure, lack of time and procrastination that keep you from moving forward.

In short, put an end to the fear of writing! Isn't it difficult to be consumed by the desire to write your project and not succeed in doing it? Break forever the insurmountable wall that prevents you from writing today.

It is a matter of combining improvements in form with improvements in substance. For this, the sessions can for example take place according to your needs as follows:
a) Comments / proposals on the text that you will offer me b) Writing exercises based on a statement.
c) A series of precise and pragmatic recommendations and their application through style exercises.

Whether it is a novel, an essay, song lyrics, various texts, a biography or simply a report for professional or school purposes, it is about offering you elements personalized pedagogy:

- Study your text
- Build text, song lyrics etc
- Calmly polish the style
- Research and develop your lexical fields
- Differentiate between writing for oneself and writing for others

All this by combining theory and practice: Writing work from exercises then as part of a personal project.

During the sessions, you are guided in your writing project. The trainer accompanies you and teaches you the preparation method, gives you writing tools and helps you work on your style and your imagination.

The objective is multiple, including a reflection on one's own literary path, an introduction to the basic tools of style work and exercises on description.

Learning objectives:
- Identify your writing path.
- Mobilize your imagination.
- Learn and master the practical writing tools.
- Broaden its reflection on creation and professional and personal writing.
- Create and develop one or more projects.

Trained in a European Grande Ecole & Ivy League University in the United States, specialized and has been working in Europe and North America for more than 16 years in this field, in reputable international institutions , also intervening in forums and conferences.

- Locations: Geneva - Lausanne - Friborg - Neuchâtel - Montreux - Basel - Sion - Sierre - Morges - Bienne. But currently and until further notice, only by videoconference in accordance with national recommendations on Covid.

These sessions, for which you have asked me, also seem to be perfectly unanimous since they arouse a certain enthusiasm (and a certain enthusiasm). Indeed, they have the advantage of face-to-face sessions (ex: quality of the interaction), without its disadvantages (ex: loss of travel time) with additional advantages (ex: the entire session transcribed in writing on the chat). That is why, at your request, I continue to offer this option.

À la carte: evaluated and adapted to each personality.

Qamille

4.9

(29)

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION (IN BRIEF):
➤Unleash your writing skills and finally realize your writing project!
Novels, short stories, life stories, theses, songs or simple texts: these workshops help you overcome your blocks and transform your ideas into vivid and inspiring stories.

➤ Together, we will work to:
-Overcome your fear of the blank page and awaken your creativity
-Develop style, vocabulary, coherence and authenticity
-Creating characters, settings, and captivating storylines
-Explore your imagination, your emotions, and your flaws to turn them into a strength
-Alternating theory and practice with concrete exercises and personalized feedback

➤ Proofreading, correction, optimization of your texts possible.
➤Objective: to write with pleasure, progress faster and bring your project to completion.

➤Let yourself be guided: your dream of writing can become a reality.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
➤Exploring and sharing the pleasure of words, building the stories that inhabit you, developing your expression, deepening your creativity, exploring contemporary writing, proposing a novel, short stories, a life story, an (auto)biography, a fiction, an essay, song lyrics, various texts or simply a report, a thesis, a report for professional or academic purposes... these are among the objectives of these workshops to deepen or initiate writing and realize one's aspirations by prioritizing the pleasure of writing based on elements of personalized pedagogy.

➤Overcome your fears and unlock creative inspiration to finally complete your project.

Let yourself be guided and finally realize your dream of writing.
➤ Overcome your fears
➤ Discover the secret to producing high-quality writing that's 100% enjoyable and 0% writer's block.
➤ Awaken this writer's flame that has been dormant in you for a long time
➤ Build unwavering legitimacy and overcome the fear of failure, lack of time and procrastination that keep you from moving forward.

In short, overcome your fear of writing. Isn't it frustrating to be consumed by the desire to write your project and yet unable to do so? Break down that insurmountable wall that's holding you back.

This involves combining improvements in form with refinements in content. For example, concrete techniques for starting your text and overcoming writer's block, feedback/suggestions on your texts, writing and style exercises based on a prompt, a series of precise/pragmatic recommendations and their implementation.

That is why, if your manuscript is stuck and you don't know how to start or continue it, if you have all the ideas but don't know what form they should take, if you want to save time in the creative process: let's build the architecture of your story together.

Learning objectives include:
• Discover writing, build confidence, let your own literary voice/path emerge, and unleash your imagination
• Studying and constructing a text, song lyrics...
• Calmly refine the style and create consistency between form and content
• Research and develop your vocabulary
• Acquire techniques and know-how to convey your message both clearly and simply
• Differentiate between writing for oneself and writing for others
• Explore your creativity and develop your expression
• To construct a complete story by creating characters, settings, lively scenes...
• Acquire and master practical writing tools, always with a focus on simplicity/simplification and efficiency (both in content and form)
• Discover contemporary writing and diversify your practice
• Acquire narrative techniques to engage in long stories

So, start, resume or finish a piece of writing you have dreamed of for a long time if you want to write but don't know where to start; if you have a story but don't know how to tell it; if you love to write but have lost your inspiration; if you have a manuscript buried in a drawer and you are afraid of failing.

To achieve this, the first step is to unleash your writing and let go: strengthen your imagination, explore your inspiration, and cultivate your originality. Next, turn your weaknesses into a driving force for writing by exploring your wounds to better utilize them and adopt an effective writing method. Finally, master writing techniques and bring characters to life while crafting captivating stories, controlling pacing, and developing suspenseful plots.

All this by combining theory and practical/concrete applications: writing assignments based on exercises and then within the framework of your project.

During the sessions, you will be guided in your writing project. The trainer will support you in your written communication and offer tools, while helping you to work on and/or optimize your style and imagination.

Proofreading, revising, correcting and formatting articles, theses, etc.: these options are also possible.

Furthermore, these sessions allow one to improve one's written communication and to study the different methods to achieve this (email, letter, report, presentation...), both in terms of content and form.

➤ THE TRAINER - TEACHER CONSULTANT
A graduate of a prestigious French Grande École and an Ivy League university in the United States, he combines academic rigor with modern teaching methods. With over 18 years of experience in Europe and North America, he has taught at prestigious international institutions (both public and private), and regularly speaks in Switzerland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Canada, as well as at various forums and conferences.

A recognized specialist, he offers personalized and accessible support based on active listening, a proven methodology, and tailored teaching methods. Whether through one-on-one sessions, workshops, or group training, his approach combines customization, efficiency, and professionalism for rapid, visible results.

➤ LOCATIONS, TIMES

✓ Areas of intervention:
-Switzerland (Geneva, Lausanne, Fribourg, Zurich, Neuchâtel, Lugano, Basel, Bern, Lucerne)
-Belgium (Brussels, Antwerp, Charleroi, Liège)
-Luxembourg
-On request: France (Paris, Lyon) and Canada (Montreal)

✓ Currently: sessions are primarily conducted via videoconference – a format favored by almost all participants, as it combines the same high-quality interaction with great organizational flexibility. All content, notes, and recommendations are provided directly through the dedicated chat. Advantages: time savings (no travel), flexible scheduling, comfort, and eco-responsibility.

✓ Languages: French / English.

✓ Results: noticeable progress from 2 sessions (2025 study).

✓ Special offers: gift vouchers available all year round – an original and useful way to please your loved ones.

✓ Schedules to be defined together, adjusting as best as possible to your constraints.

✓ 100% tailor-made program, adapted to each need.

✓ Why choose this training?
-Because you benefit from international expertise at the service of your objectives.
-Because each session is personalized and you will leave with concrete tools.
-Because the approach is not theoretical: it is lively, interactive and results-oriented.
-Because you benefit from a motivating, supportive and stimulating environment, which promotes confidence and rapid progress.
-Because in just a few sessions, you will already notice a tangible difference.

Nathan

4.9

(29)

Learn techniques that allow you to see the world as a poem, keep your inspiration flowing, and allow your muse to run free at last. This course will give the student the confidence necessary to remain inspired in spite of discouragement, whether the discouragement comes from without, or within. Every class will be different, depending on the needs and interests of the student. Poetry, songwriting, and other forms of creative writing are exercises in learning how to get out of the way of the work, and let it come naturally. The student will learn to maintain faith in his or her ability to write, and how to tap into the joy of writing at any time!

Serena

4.9

(29)

Have you always wanted to write stories, poems, or plays, but don't know where to start? Treat yourself to a little time with a teacher who has a degree specializing in creative writing!

This course is open to all levels and ages – yes, children are welcome too, because writing can also be oral! Bring your writing for a review together, or come with nothing but your ideas and leave with the result of a brainstorming session, or even a story outline to complete! A longer-term project? No problem, I'd be delighted to follow your progress. Whatever you want to do, you can achieve it, with a little time and effort!

Cristiano

4.9

(29)

Learn how to turn an IDEA/LOGLINE into a powerful SCREENPLAY, TV PILOT or SERIES, acquiring the tools to test, develop and refine your project at every stage - SUBJECT, OUTLINE, TREATMENT - allowing the story to progressively find its own shape and strength.

Learn how to UNLEASH YOUR NARRATIVE CREATIVITY, and STRUCTURE, ENHANCE, or UNBLOCK a SCRIPT that’s struggling to take off.

Discover the DIRECTORIAL GRAMMAR, to think in terms of SHOT COMPOSITION, MOVEMENT, PACE, EDITING, and ACTOR DIRECTION.
Learn how to create and structure a SHOT LIST.

Together we will create a personalized program tailored to your goals and level. If you wish, you will also learn the strategies needed to navigate the highly competitive world of cinema, television, and the wider audiovisual industry across three markets: the United States, France and Italy.

Dhiren

4.9

(29)

What you'll learn
AI filmmaking from idea to finished video.
Storytelling for short films, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and commercials.
Prompt writing for cinematic AI video generation.
Creating realistic characters and scenes with AI.
AI voiceovers with ElevenLabs.
AI music creation with Suno AI.
Editing AI videos in Adobe Premiere Pro and Canva.
Creating 9:16 vertical films for social media.
AI comedy, drama, documentaries, adverts, and trailers.

AI tools we'll use
Sora AI
Midjourney
Google AI Studio (Veo)
Canva AI
ElevenLabs
Suno AI
Adobe Premiere Pro
ChatGPT for scriptwriting and prompts

Who are these lessons for?
Complete beginners.
Content creators.
YouTubers and TikTok creators.
Small business owners creating adverts.
Filmmakers wanting to learn AI workflows.
Marketing professionals.
Students interested in the future of filmmaking.

Judith

4.9

(29)

This beginner-friendly English class helps students strengthen their reading comprehension, improve writing skills, and explore creative writing techniques. Through interactive lessons, exercises, and guided practice, learners will gain confidence in expressing themselves in English.

Mila

4.9

(29)

I encourage my students to believe in themselves! Learning a language should be an all round experience, gifting you the opportunity to overcome language barriers and dive in self expression. I support this process by creating a safe space and a variety of interactive exercises which allow you to dare yourself and simply try.
I enjoy all aspects of English- whether it is for a more practical use, creative or simply conversational practice, I thoroughly enjoy supporting you every step of the way!

Jaime

4.9

(29)

Don't sell smoke, create fire with your words. Master creative writing, copywriting, and strategic communication (public speaking and emails). A 100% practical method with theory, realistic exercises, progress tracking, and direct feedback. Make your message stand out.

Stop shouting into the void—make your words count. Master creative writing, copywriting, and executive communication (public speaking & email). Hands-on learning with practical theory, real exercises, progress tracking, and direct feedback. Turn your ideas into powerful influence.

Annabelle

4.9

(29)

Creative writing can sound daunting, but we all have stories within us - whether novels, short fiction or simply pieces we write for ourselves. Whether you're an experienced writer or just beginning, we can work together to develop and improve your writing skills, covering everything from character and plot to dialogue, pace and structure. As an author of four novels (two published by Head of Zeus and two by Quercus) I have extensive experience of working with an agent, and editorial publishers, can offer valuable insights into the world of publishing. Writing is like a muscle; the more you use it, the better you become, and through a variety of writing exercises and different techniques, we can focus on helping you produce your best writing.

I am also an experienced proofreader and editor and can help you improve existing works and ready them for submission.

Ejder

4.9

(29)

Develop your creative writing through worldbuilding, myth, lore, symbolism, poetry, and character-driven storytelling.
My own work focuses on dark fantasy and mythic worlds shaped through characters, symbolic systems, atmosphere, and poetic language. I am especially interested in worldbuilding that grows organically from relationships, perception, identity, conflict, transformation, and the internal logic of a fictional universe.

In our sessions, we can work on worldbuilding, lore, character development, mythology, symbolic systems, atmosphere, narrative structure, poetry, or the connections between these elements. Rather than simply adding more information to a fictional world, we can explore how its cultures, beliefs, histories, languages, spaces, and characters influence one another and create a coherent whole.

My academic background in Comparative Literature, Philosophy, and Archaeology also allows us to approach creative work from different perspectives, especially when exploring myth, symbolism, culture, meaning, and narrative structure.

You can bring an existing manuscript, poem, character, setting, lore document, or worldbuilding project. You can also come with only an initial idea. Sessions can be shaped around brainstorming, creative development, feedback, close discussion of your text, or building the conceptual foundations of your fictional world.

You do not need to be an experienced writer. The aim is to help you develop a creative language and fictional universe that feel distinctive, internally coherent, and meaningful to you.

Edwige

4.9

(29)

Explore your creativity through words, stories and personal expression. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced writer, discover new ways to develop your ideas, experiment with different styles and find your own voice.

Through guided prompts and imaginative exercises, enjoy writing freely, at your own pace, in a supportive and inspiring space.

This class is available in French, English, or both languages.

Alexandra

4.9

(29)

Do you have a draft you're stuck on, a story idea you're procrastinating or trouble keeping up a writing routine? Then I can help. I have my MA in Creative & Professional writing and have been writing for 20+ years.

I can help with:
-technical issues like how to become a better editor of your own work
-creative issues like help with brainstorming, story development, plotting, character arcs
-writer issues like writer’s block, lack of self confidence, writing habits and accountability
-or give you feedback on your creative piece in real time and advice on how to strengthen your work

The lessons are tailored to meet you where you are and lead you where you want to go. I’ve written in various genres (sci fi dystopia, period drama murder mystery, offbeat dramedy) and formats (short stories, novels, screenplays) and have been giving professional feedback within my various writing circles during for years. I'm adept at working with various types of writing and I am interested to see what you’ve cooked up!

Cedric

4.9

(29)

Discover cinema from the inside, deepen your perspective as a spectator and develop your projects with the methods used in the professional world.

Do you want to improve your screenwriting skills, develop a film project, understand the mechanisms of your favorite works, or prepare for your future in cinema?

Whether you are a film buff, student, aspiring screenwriter or an experienced author, I offer private lessons tailored to your level, interests and ambitions.

As a graduate of ESRA Paris and a professional in film production and development, I draw on my experience with authors and my work at Somnivore Films to share the methods of analysis, writing and development that I use daily.
Courses tailored to your goals
Screenwriting and dramaturgy

From the conception of a story to its various rewrites, learn to master the mechanisms of cinematic writing: narrative construction, dramatic structure, character development, conflicts, dialogues, rhythm and progression of the story.

We can work on targeted exercises or directly on your own script, whether it's a short film, a feature film, or a series project.

For authors who already have a script, I also offer rewriting support: dramaturgical analysis, identification of narrative difficulties, search for solutions and deepening of artistic intentions.

Film analysis on demand: choose the films that fascinate you!

Have you always wanted to understand why a film moves you, fascinates you, or leaves you perplexed?

I offer sessions entirely devoted to the films of your choice.

We can explore their storytelling, their characters, their staging, their editing, their themes, or even the artistic choices that shape the viewer's experience.

The analysis can focus on an entire work, a particular sequence, or a question that interests you: Why does this scene work? How does the director build emotion? What does a film tell us beyond its plot?

The goal is to develop your ability to observe, interpret and argue your analyses, while exploring the works that truly interest you.

Analyzing the writing of a film: understanding the mechanisms of a screenplay

This approach is particularly aimed at writing enthusiasts, screenwriters, and people who want to understand how a cinematic narrative is constructed.

Using a film of your choice, we analyze its narrative architecture: exposition, conflict development, scene construction, character trajectories, dramatic twists and resolution.

We can study the intentions of the screenwriters, identify potential difficulties in the narrative and consider other writing possibilities.

This method allows you to acquire analytical reflexes directly applicable to your own scenarios.

Genre cinema: horror, fantasy, thriller and exploration of film genres

Genre cinema is one of my main areas of specialization, with a particular interest in horror, fantasy, and thrillers.

I offer sessions dedicated to the analysis of these universes and their narrative mechanisms: construction of suspense, management of fear, creation of an atmosphere, anticipation, surprise, subversion of conventions and spectator expectations.

How do you construct a truly terrifying scene? Why do some revelations work better than others? How do you renew the conventions of a genre without losing what makes it unique?

We can study existing films, explore a particular subgenre, or work on writing your own project.

This specialization is aimed at both film enthusiasts wishing to deepen their knowledge of genre cinema and authors eager to master its dramatic mechanisms.

Film development and production

How do you transform an idea into a project that can be presented to a production company?

Drawing on my experience in production and my work at Somnivore Films, I can help you understand the different stages of film development.

We can work on writing a synopsis, a treatment, a statement of intent, an artistic dossier or a pitch, but also address financing mechanisms, the search for producers and the organization of film development.

The support can be based on your personal project or take the form of an introduction to professional practices in the sector.

Documentary writing and development

Thanks to my specialized training in documentary filmmaking and my experience in this field, I also offer courses dedicated to the design of documentary projects.

Choosing the subject, research, defining an angle, constructing a point of view, documentary writing, preparing interviews, articulation between narration and filmed reality: we address the particularities of this cinematic form.

I can also assist you in writing a documentary development file.

Preparation for film schools and university support

Do you want to attend a film school or pursue film studies?

Having myself completed several university and professional training courses in this field, I can assist you in preparing your applications: compiling a file, presenting your projects, preparing for interviews and training for analysis or writing tests.

I also offer support to film students for their film analyses, dissertations, research papers and screenwriting exercises.
A teaching method directly informed by my professional experience
My approach is based on one conviction: the mechanisms of cinema are best understood when observed in action and when one learns to use them.

In my professional activity, I analyze scripts, identify their dramaturgical difficulties, support authors in their rewrites and participate in the development of projects intended to be presented to producers.

I apply this approach to my classes, combining explanations, film examples and exercises tailored to each student.

What happens during a session ?

We begin by identifying your expectations and the difficulties you wish to work on. Each lesson is then structured around a specific objective.

For a writing course, we can, for example, examine your storyboard, analyze the dramatic function of several scenes, rework a character, or compare different narrative solutions.

For a film analysis, we can start with a sequence, observe its construction and understand how the choices of writing, directing or editing guide our perception.

For project support, we work directly on your documents, with reasoned observations and suggestions for rewriting or development.

The sessions devoted to a particular film are prepared around a work and questions defined together beforehand.

I favour exchange and reflection: it is not about imposing a single interpretation or method on you, but about giving you the means to understand the possible choices, their consequences and their relevance according to your intentions.

You will therefore leave with knowledge, working methods and, where the course allows, concrete suggestions to continue your progress.
Who are my courses for?
My courses are open to all levels and different profiles:
- Film buffs and enthusiasts, wishing to deepen their understanding of films, explore film genres or discover the mechanisms of writing and directing.
- Beginners and aspiring authors, eager to learn to write, structure their ideas or develop a film project.
- Experienced screenwriters and authors, seeking an outside perspective on their work, dramaturgical support or tools to deepen their practice.
- Students and candidates for film schools, wishing to progress in their studies, prepare for admission tests or benefit from methodological support.
- Project leaders wishing to better understand the professional practices of film development and production.
You can come with a screenplay in progress, a film idea, a work you wish to analyze, a file to prepare or simply a curiosity for cinema.

Each course is built around what you want to learn, understand or develop, with support that takes into account your experience and objectives.

Alex

4.9

(29)

Film & Media Studies -- A Level, GCSE

Private Tutoring & Revision Guidance for Film Studies & Media Studies for all exam boards, for ages 13-18 years, by a First Class Film Studies & Production Graduate from Queen's University Belfast. I will guide your child through the curriculum according to their exam board criteria, helping them improve their writing, analysis, and knowledge of the subject in order to reach the higher levels.