The next 8-Week online Group Story Maps Master Class will begin January 30, 2024. Register below now. First come, first served.

 

The Story Maps Master Class is an 8-week online screenwriting workshop, taught primarily using Google Classroom. It is not just a series of video lectures or auto-emailed documents. Every lesson, set of notes or reply comes directly from me (Daniel Calvisi, your instructor) to you. I teach it to groups and one-on-one with private clients.

This is NOT a home course. This is a workshop where you get to know your fellow writers and their work and you get direct contact with your instructor, a professional Story Analyst, Screenwriter, Author and Writing Coach with over two decades of experience working with writers, including those with credits from all the major studios, networks and streamers (Netflix, Max, Sony, Disney, Warner Brothers, HBO, CBS to name a few). Many professionals in the film and television industry hire me to consult on their top projects and I deliver story expertise gained from years of training on the job (with employers like Miramax, Fox and New Line) and from living and working in Los Angeles with successful clients that include an Oscar winner, Showrunners, hit show staff writers, and produced feature screenwriters. I’ve published best-selling books on screenwriting, including one that introduced the first Beat Sheet for television.

This course does NOT require “live” logins at any specific time. There are no live lectures or required login times. You can log into the Classroom at any time from anywhere in the world. Your work will be CONFIDENTIAL, bound by an agreement that we all sign. Please read below for more information, and use the link at the bottom to reserve your spot in the group class, or email me with any questions.

The Story Maps Master Class is a proven screenwriting program that guides you from logline to submission-ready script, offering you reliable, detailed notes from:

  • A teacher with over 25 years of experience and extensive industry credentials
  • At least two current, working professionals in the movie and television industry in Los Angeles (managers, execs, producers, pro screenwriters from TV and film). See below for the names of the current pro Advisors.
  • Your fellow writers

That’s a lot of feedback!

In many online screenwriting courses, you’re lucky to get your instructor’s notes on ONE assignment. I give you notes every week on every assignment.


ENDORSEMENTS

“Dan’s method for writing a screenplay was exactly what I needed. It gave me an approach to the writing process that carries all the way to the completion of a story. His method also enables me to create compelling dialogue and have fun while still moving the story forward. I highly recommend learning from him.”
– Miguel Chavez, Group Master Class Student and SAG Actor (recurring role on AP Bio on NBC)

“I found Dan’s coaching to be super helpful! After doing a few consultations with some other coaches, I decided to go with Dan. I ended up finishing my script with him and got past the writer’s block.”
-Elizabeth Reichelt, Coaching client and Writer’s Assistant for Bridgerton, Inventing Anna and Physical. Elizabeth used the script from our coaching to get her current manager.

“I thought this class was really helpful! I loved the structure and fast pace. I plan on using the structural secrets you’ve shared to keep me on the straight and narrow going forward. (No more writing a script that has to be completely rewritten because I didn’t do my Story Map etc.!) So THANK YOU!”
-Maggie Mahrt, award-winning writer/director, Group Master Class Student

“I absolutely loved Dan’s class! His worksheets and feedback were invaluable in streamlining my ideas. This course helped me turn a concept I’ve been thinking about for 2 years into a rough draft in 8 short weeks.”
-Julia Liu, cinematographer, Group Master Class Student

“I really enjoyed the Story Maps Master Class. Dan provides clear and concise feedback on your writing. You will receive feedback from other students and you’ll learn how to give better feedback. Having deadlines as a writer is super helpful. You might be surprised by how much of your script you’re able to accomplish in such a short time. I highly recommend it!”
-Teesha Nelson, Group Master Class Student

“Dan, I owe you a lot. Thank you again for having put me on the right track and teaching me everything about screenwriting.”
-Suzanne Lutas, award-winning and optioned screenwriter, Group and Private Master Class Student

“Dan, thank you for your support and professionalism. First of all, I learned so much from your critiques and I  appreciate the way you pushed me to do better all the time. I also now understand more about the business after the critique from the industry advisors. It inspires me to improve myself!”
Max Badier, Private Master Class Student

“Dan’s weekly class notes were super in detail and he was constantly value adding to the story. Another huge asset Dan brings to the course are the mentors/industry professionals. I couldn’t have done it without you, Dan! Thank you!”
-Amelie Bonnet, Group and Private Master Class Student

Story Maps Master Class students feedback

More student satisfaction from the end of a recent term.


In the Master Class, you may write alone, but you’re never on your own. Whether you’re in a group class or working privately with me, I foster a supportive, positive environment that’s focused on the craft, the work and the real world, not on theory.

INDUSTRY ADVISORS

Each term, I bring in two working professionals in the film and TV business to give Master Class writers feedback on their work and targeted advice on navigating the industry. Past pros have included managers, producers, executives, pro screenwriters and more. Please inquire if you would like the names of past advisors.

With such veterans on board to advise on your concepts and career, and my over 25 years of experience as a professional story analyst, teacher and writing coach, the Story Maps Master Class becomes a must for any developing screenwriter.

Our first Industry Advisor for the next term is the prolific writer/director/producer Christine Conradt.

Christine directing Alexandra Paul.

Christine Conradt (imdb) is a writer, producer and director with over 100 individual produced credits, including screenwriter of many feature films for television networks like Lifetime, Showtime and Hallmark. She specializes in thrillers, romantic comedies and holiday movies. She has written four original Christmas movies (Open By Christmas, On the 12th Date of Christmas, A Little Christmas Charm and 12 Days of Giving), all airing this year on Hallmark, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Amazon Prime. (You may have attended one of her popular, annual webinars on writing a Christmas movie.) As a multi-hyphenate who has made a consistent living for years in this very competitive industry, there is no one better to give you a direct window into every corner of the market. Christine will give you her legendary notes on your loglines and also answer all of your questions in an exclusive, live Zoom call.

Our second Advisor is Glenn Sanders, Global Sr. Creative Director at Amazon Studios, WGA screenwriter and director.

Glenn Sanders directs Lord of the Rings the ring of power title reveal

Glenn Sanders (left) directs the iconic title reveal for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on Amazon Prime.

Glenn Sanders (imdb) is in the unique position of being both a working screenwriter and a high-level studio marketing exec. A WGA member since 2017, he’s currently rewriting the contained sci-fi thriller he sold last year, and writing an original screenplay for him to direct. He previously sold screenplays to Dichotomy Pictures, Gold Circle and BenderSpink, and has written several features on assignment. Glenn most often writes grounded science fiction with a sense of scale and wonder, but has written comedies, adventures and thrillers as well. He has also directed original shorts set in the Back to the Future and Taken universes starring Christopher Lloyd and Liam Neeson.

Glenn Sanders with Christopher Lloyd and Bob Gale (Back to the Future).

Glenn Sanders (right) on set of Back to the Future: Doc Brown Saves the World with Christopher Lloyd and Bob Gale.

As a studio exec, Sanders serves as Global Sr. Creative Director at Amazon Studios, where he recently launched REACHER Season 2, now 2023’s most-watched series on Prime Video. Prior to that, he led the worldwide marketing campaign for THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER, which holds the record as Prime Video’s most-watched series ever. Before Amazon, he helped launch 8 of the top 50 box office films of all time, including DEADPOOL 1 and 2, JURASSIC WORLD, 3 STAR WARS films, and multiple Marvel releases. For his efforts, he’s won 5 Grand Clios… and lost countless hours of sleep to the altar of Hollywood.

Glenn Sanders back to the future car, de lorean

Glenn catches his Uber after a long day on set.

In addition to being a successful screenwriter in the trenches of Hollywood, Glenn offers the rare view from the marketing side of the industry as he designs campaigns for the biggest film and television properties around.

Above all, Christine and Glenn are super nice people who like to give back by helping screenwriters break in. We’re lucky to have them.

GOALS

My goal is to get my writers repped, submitted and sold! The first and most crucial steps, of course, are centered on craft — you writing a great script to blow away the reader. I know, because I worked as a professional Reader for years for major companies like Miramax, New Line and Fox. To stand out, your script can’t just be good, it has to be GREAT.

I can’t promise success, but I can promise that I will always work as hard as I can to guide your writing and to expose you and your work to the industry. If you’re willing to work hard enough, to develop that BIG IDEA into a GREAT SCRIPT that Hollywood didn’t know it needed, then we will work together to help you find success.

My Story Maps method is just the way to get you there, and it begins with the eight weeks of the Master Class. In fact, my method has been endorsed and used by many top professionals:

“Using examples from some of the most respected shows on television, writers will learn to master the form from outline to Fade Out.” 
-Hilary Weisman Graham, Writer
(Orange is the New Black (NETFLIX), Bones (Fox), Kidding (Showtime))

“I was looking to both reinforce and challenge what I knew and also what I couldn’t yet quite articulate. I found your book on Amazon, loved what I had previewed, and decided to drop the dime. Glad I did. It’s an excellent resource.”
-Matthew-Lee Erlbach, Writer (Masters of Sex (Showtime),
MTV, Nickelodeon, WWE, Off-Broadway playwright)

“I always get asked – how do you write a pilot? Dan Calvisi has the answers!”
-Sam Ruano, Writer (Killjoys (HULU), Lost Girl (Sony TV), Little Mosque on the Prairie (CBC))

“We had to rewrite a number of scripts at the last minute, so we turned to your Story Map beat sheet and it was a huge help. We’re now story mapping every episode of our new shows.”
-Billy Rovzar, producer (Lemon Studios and Lemon Films, HBO, 30 produced IMDb credits), Private Coaching Client

“It’s time to tell my own stories and I can safely say I’m a better writer, thanks to you.”
– Victor Perez, Visual Effects Supervisor (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Dark Knight Rises), Private Master Class Student

It all begins with a great idea. In the Master Class, you begin by workshopping three loglines, two of which you will rewrite, submit to our industry advisors and then story map. Armed with notes from me, the advisors and your peers, you will then choose one concept to turn into a screenplay. I guarantee that you will be surprised by some of the feedback you get on your concepts, as no writer can be fully objective about their own work nor can they predict industry response.

THE STORY MAPS MASTER CLASS INCLUDES:

  • My e-books, plus bonus story maps.
  • 8 weeks of lectures, assignments and notes from me, a professional Story Analyst with over 25 years of experience evaluating material and coaching writers to create their best work.
  • Direct email and message board correspondence with me and your classmates.
  • Notes from your peers, including your personal “Notes Buddy.”
  • Notes on your work from our current Industry Advisors (managers, producers, pro screenwriters).
  • Q&A Zoom conference call (recorded) with the Advisors.
  • Access to the archive of past recorded Q&A’s with other Advisors.
  • Evaluation of your final assignment with a commercial recommendation on your material and career.
  • A private, recorded Zoom conference call with me.
  • Discounts on future classes and coaching.
  • Your choice of one of my Webinars.

POTENTIAL BONUS: Let me throw in one final bonus that you’re not going to find anywhere else: GUARANTEED SUBMISSION! If you can finish a submission-quality script within six months of completing the initial 8 weeks of the course, I will guarantee you a submission to one of my industry contacts, free of charge.


NOTE: The next 8-week online GROUP Story Maps Master Class begins January 30, 2024. Book now to reserve your seat.


GROUP CLASS:

    • $749 Final Price* expires 5:00 PM PST, Friday, Feb 2, 2024.

    *When you purchase from Paypal, you will be emailed a link to download a “Welcome Kit” which will give you exclusive materials and further instructions on the class. Sales tax may apply. Note: you may also use a credit card with Paypal.

    We can also do a PRIVATE MASTER CLASS with just you and me. Please inquire about availability.

    If you have any questions, please contact me via the form below or HERE asap. I suggest you also subscribe to my newsletter for any updates or special offers for the Master Class.

    First come, first served.

    Let’s make your script GREAT!

    Dan Calvisi writing coach @storymapsdan

    Dan Calvisi

    Sincerely,
    Dan Calvisi

    Daniel P. Calvisi is a script doctor, writing coach and the author of Story Maps: How to Write a GREAT Screenplay and Story Maps: TV DRAMA: The Structure of the One-Hour Television Pilot. He is a former Story Analyst for major studios like Twentieth Century Fox, Miramax Films and New Line Cinema. He coaches writers, teaches webinars on writing for film and television and speaks at writing conferences. Many of his clients have worked with the top networks and studios in the industry, such as HBO, Warner Brothers, Disney, Sony, ABC, Showtime, Apple TV+, Netflix and more. He has been endorsed by Script Magazine and featured on Indie Film Hustle, Film Courage and L.A. Screenwriter. He holds a degree in Film and Television from New York University. He lives in Los Angeles.

    P.S. If you have not done so already, I suggest you sign up for my free Story Maps Newsletter for Serious Screenwriters, which will keep you up to date on any Master Class news, including the next launch date. I will never share your email with any other party.

     

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    Special Offer on Story Maps E-Books“Dan has created a book that is straightforward and full of valuable insight and guidance for screenwriters at different experience levels.”
    -Laurie Lamson, Editor, Now Write! Screenwriting

    “I’ve worked in film and television for years and I can say for certain that there is nothing else like Dan’s book anywhere out there. His system is truly unique and breaks TV pilot structure down step by step for the first time, using very specific examples from some of the great pilots of recent years.”
    -Fritz Manger, Producer (A Deadly Adoption with Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig)