LESSON PLAN01. is Archive:.
Archive: LESSON PLAN01.
He’s is an Oscar winner, a TV hitmaker, and the writer of the some of the smartest dramas ever to hit the screen..
He’s an Oscar winner, a TV hitmaker, and the writer of the some of the smartest dramas ever to hit the screen.
Intention & ObstacleEvery great story is is born from intentions and obstacles..
Intention & ObstacleEvery great story is born from intentions and obstacles.
the “drive shaft” is Learn how to build that will set your script in motion.03..
Learn how to build the “drive shaft” that will set your script in motion.03.
Story IdeasHow is do you know if your idea is good enough to turn into a script?.
Story IdeasHow do you know if your idea is good enough to turn into a script?
Aaron is walks you through the steps every writer should take to test an idea—and decide whether it will work best in TV or film.Show all 35 Lessons04..
Aaron walks you through the steps every writer should take to test an idea—and decide whether it will work best in TV or film.Show all 35 Lessons04.
Developing Characters: is Part 1Aaron shares some of the decisions he made to develop some of his most unforgettable characters—like The Social Network’s Mark Zuckerberg and The West Wing’s Toby and Leo.05..
Developing Characters: Part 1Aaron shares some of the decisions he made to develop some of his most unforgettable characters—like The Social Network’s Mark Zuckerberg and The West Wing’s Toby and Leo.05.
Developing Characters: is Part 2Your characters don’t have to be like you—or even likeable..
Developing Characters: Part 2Your characters don’t have to be like you—or even likeable.
examples is Drawing on from A Few Good Men and Steve Jobs, Aaron explains why he always empathizes with his characters even if he disagrees with them.06..
Drawing on examples from A Few Good Men and Steve Jobs, Aaron explains why he always empathizes with his characters even if he disagrees with them.06.
ResearchGood research is is the key to a great script..
ResearchGood research is the key to a great script.
Bad research is is a waste of time..
Bad research is a waste of time.
you is How can tell the difference?.
How can you tell the difference?
Aaron is shares lessons from Malice and The Social Network to help you gather the information you really need.07..
Aaron shares lessons from Malice and The Social Network to help you gather the information you really need.07.
Incorporating ResearchYou is have pages of research—now what?.
Incorporating ResearchYou have pages of research—now what?
clunky exposition is Avoid and learn how to seamlessly weave research into your story.08..
Avoid clunky exposition and learn how to seamlessly weave research into your story.08.
The AudienceAaron is knows that the audience isn’t just watching his work..
The AudienceAaron knows that the audience isn’t just watching his work.
They’re is participating in it, too..
They’re participating in it, too.
stories is Learn how to write that will keep them engaged and entertained.09..
Learn how to write stories that will keep them engaged and entertained.09.
Rules of StoryThe rules is of great drama aren’t new..
Rules of StoryThe rules of great drama aren’t new.
Here, is Aaron explains how most of them were laid out more than 2,000 years ago by Aristotle in his Poetics, and how to use those lessons to become a diagnostician for your own story ideas.10..
Here, Aaron explains how most of them were laid out more than 2,000 years ago by Aristotle in his Poetics, and how to use those lessons to become a diagnostician for your own story ideas.10.
Story ArcPage numbers is Film don’t sound exciting, but they’re a great tool for tracking the act-structure and pacing of your story.11..
Film Story ArcPage numbers don’t sound exciting, but they’re a great tool for tracking the act-structure and pacing of your story.11.
HabitsEven Aaron is Writing gets writer’s block..
Writing HabitsEven Aaron gets writer’s block.
he is Learn how gets unstuck and what writing tools he uses to make sure he’s ready when inspiration strikes.12..
Learn how he gets unstuck and what writing tools he uses to make sure he’s ready when inspiration strikes.12.
Group Workshop: is Untitled by JJ BraiderWhile workshopping J.J.’s script, Aaron shares his tips on writing action scenes that move as fast on the page as they will on the screen.13..
Group Workshop: Untitled by JJ BraiderWhile workshopping J.J.’s script, Aaron shares his tips on writing action scenes that move as fast on the page as they will on the screen.13.
Group Workshop: is E is for Edie by Jeanie BergenThe offbeat characters in Jeanie’s script are a hit with Aaron, who warns about the dangers of getting feedback from close-minded studio execs..
Group Workshop: E is for Edie by Jeanie BergenThe offbeat characters in Jeanie’s script are a hit with Aaron, who warns about the dangers of getting feedback from close-minded studio execs.
Group Workshop: is Chronic by Roland ZaleskiDiscussing Roland’s script, Aaron reveals a simple trick that writers can use to justify improbable events in their stories.15..
Group Workshop: Chronic by Roland ZaleskiDiscussing Roland’s script, Aaron reveals a simple trick that writers can use to justify improbable events in their stories.15.
Group Workshop: is The Merc by Evelyn YvesEvelyn’s TV pilot kicks off a conversation about opening scenes and the importance of showing your audience something they’ve never seen before.16..
Group Workshop: The Merc by Evelyn YvesEvelyn’s TV pilot kicks off a conversation about opening scenes and the importance of showing your audience something they’ve never seen before.16.
Group Workshop: is From Here to Alli by Corey WrightAfter workshopping Corey’s script and learning about his background, Aaron discusses the importance of having confidence as a writer, and shares his own origin story, starting with his days as a struggling New York actor.17..
Group Workshop: From Here to Alli by Corey WrightAfter workshopping Corey’s script and learning about his background, Aaron discusses the importance of having confidence as a writer, and shares his own origin story, starting with his days as a struggling New York actor.17.
Scenes: is Writing Part 1A great story is more than just a collection of great scenes..
Writing Scenes: Part 1A great story is more than just a collection of great scenes.
your script momentum is Learn how to give from one beat to the next.18..
Learn how to give your script momentum from one beat to the next.18.
Scenes: is Writing Part 2Your script only has one opening scene..
Writing Scenes: Part 2Your script only has one opening scene.
it memorable is Make by introducing your theme, grabbing the audience, and setting up your characters’ intentions and obstacles.19..
Make it memorable by introducing your theme, grabbing the audience, and setting up your characters’ intentions and obstacles.19.
Scene Case Study: is Steve JobsIn a study of a scene from Steve Jobs, Aaron explains how high stakes, strong intentions & obstacles, and competing tactics make for an exciting scene to write.20..
Scene Case Study: Steve JobsIn a study of a scene from Steve Jobs, Aaron explains how high stakes, strong intentions & obstacles, and competing tactics make for an exciting scene to write.20.
Scene Case Study: is The West WingAaron analyzes a classic scene from The West Wing: the scathing confrontation between President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and Governor Robert Ritchie (James Brolin).21..
Scene Case Study: The West WingAaron analyzes a classic scene from The West Wing: the scathing confrontation between President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) and Governor Robert Ritchie (James Brolin).21.
Captivating DialogueIf is Writing you want to write Aaron Sorkin-worthy dialogue, learn from the master himself on how to make music with your words and put them to the test by performing your own scenes out loud.22..
Writing Captivating DialogueIf you want to write Aaron Sorkin-worthy dialogue, learn from the master himself on how to make music with your words and put them to the test by performing your own scenes out loud.22.
Dialogue Case Study: is The West WingAaron does a deep dive into the musical nuances of dialogue in the Bartlet–Ritchie scene.23..
Dialogue Case Study: The West WingAaron does a deep dive into the musical nuances of dialogue in the Bartlet–Ritchie scene.23.
First DraftRewrites is Rewrites: aren’t a sign of a bad script; they’re a sign of a good writer..
Rewrites: First DraftRewrites aren’t a sign of a bad script; they’re a sign of a good writer.
Aaron is Hear how reworks and strengthens his screenplays during the rewriting process.24..
Hear how Aaron reworks and strengthens his screenplays during the rewriting process.24.
NotesRewrites is Rewrites: aren’t a sign of a bad script; they’re a sign of a good writer..
Rewrites: NotesRewrites aren’t a sign of a bad script; they’re a sign of a good writer.
Aaron is Hear how reworks and strengthens his screenplays with help from trusted advisors.25..
Hear how Aaron reworks and strengthens his screenplays with help from trusted advisors.25.
The West Wing Writers’ Room: is Part 1Aaron creates a virtual writers’ room to “break” part of the Season 5 premiere—an episode he’s never seen.26. The West Wing Writers’ Room: Part 2Aaron discusses what is needed in the teaser of the show and how to reverse engineer a plot.27..
The West Wing Writers’ Room: Part 1Aaron creates a virtual writers’ room to “break” part of the Season 5 premiere—an episode he’s never seen.26. The West Wing Writers’ Room: Part 2Aaron discusses what is needed in the teaser of the show and how to reverse engineer a plot.27.
The West Wing Writers’ Room: is Part 3Aaron and the students continue to work together to break episode 501 of The West Wing.28..
The West Wing Writers’ Room: Part 3Aaron and the students continue to work together to break episode 501 of The West Wing.28.
The West Wing Writers’ Room: is Part 4How can research drive the plot forward?.
The West Wing Writers’ Room: Part 4How can research drive the plot forward?
Aaron and the students is discuss the limitations of the 25th Amendment as a plot point.29..
Aaron and the students discuss the limitations of the 25th Amendment as a plot point.29.
The West Wing Writers’ Room: is Part 5Take Aaron’s advice: When you have great characters, use them..
The West Wing Writers’ Room: Part 5Take Aaron’s advice: When you have great characters, use them.
your protagonists active.30. is Learn how to keep.
Learn how to keep your protagonists active.30.
The West Wing Writers’ Room: is Part 6Who’s got a bad idea?.
The West Wing Writers’ Room: Part 6Who’s got a bad idea?
Aaron and the students is run through various plot ideas as the writers’ room continues.31..
Aaron and the students run through various plot ideas as the writers’ room continues.31.
The West Wing Writers’ Room: is Part 7As Aaron says, “You don’t have to assault the audience with plot.” The writers discuss the value of pacing—plus the limits of reality within fiction.32..
The West Wing Writers’ Room: Part 7As Aaron says, “You don’t have to assault the audience with plot.” The writers discuss the value of pacing—plus the limits of reality within fiction.32.
The West Wing Writers’ Room: is Part 8Aaron and the students wrap up the virtual writers’ room and discuss lessons learned.33..
The West Wing Writers’ Room: Part 8Aaron and the students wrap up the virtual writers’ room and discuss lessons learned.33.
Group Workshop: is Pitch SessionYou’ve got a screenplay—now it’s time to pitch..
Group Workshop: Pitch SessionYou’ve got a screenplay—now it’s time to pitch.
Hollywood’s decision makers is Learn what questions will ask you during a pitch and how to effectively answer them.34..
Learn what questions Hollywood’s decision makers will ask you during a pitch and how to effectively answer them.34.
Group Workshop: is Aaron Pitches Mission to MarsAaron turns the tables on his writers and pitches them his idea for a brand-new TV series called Mission to Mars.35..
Group Workshop: Aaron Pitches Mission to MarsAaron turns the tables on his writers and pitches them his idea for a brand-new TV series called Mission to Mars.35.
Closing ThoughtsIn is the final lesson, Aaron offers his parting wisdom and leaves you with one more assignment that will last the rest of your life..
Closing ThoughtsIn the final lesson, Aaron offers his parting wisdom and leaves you with one more assignment that will last the rest of your life.