First Level Working Writer's Lab
The Stage 32 Happy Writers believe in evolving and transforming to continuously put our writers ahead of all competition. We are providing you opportunities to work directly with e xecutives in the industry on a one-on-one basis to help shape your writing through Stage 32 Happy Writers Labs. To teach our inagural First Level Working Writers Lab, we picked Senior Vice President of Development at Bold Films, and co-producer of some of the most critically acclaimed and successful independent films of the last few years (including Drive with Ryan Gosling, and 2014 Sundance Best Picture Winner, Whiplash), Garrick Dion. This lab will be very intensive and you will have ongoing executive guidance. You will meet once a week with Garrick through an interactive webinar and be assigned weekly assignments to further your growth as a writer. We have created this lab so it will be the most hands on, professional atmosphere out there. This Lab is limited to 20 people per class If you would like advice or have questions, email us and we will set up an interview. It's really important to us that we match accordingly so this is the best atmosphere for everybody. These execs are looking for projects as well so you never know what will happen. In a recent lab, one of the writers got signed because of his great working relationship with the teacher. The Curriculum for the 8 Week Lab The purpose of this lab is for you to collaborate with a REAL, high profile Hollywood executive to create a commercial, unique concept and a full, iron clad outline. And, of course, to get you on the road to being a WORKING WRITER! Each class will be 2 hours long and will be done via Stage 32 Happy Writers GoToWebinar. You will see your instructor live via video and be able to ask questions via chat. Week #1 Introduction to lab. In a group, webinar setting you will meet your executive and the other writers. The executive will give you an overview of the lab and you will all introduce each other. We will partner you up into small groups. This will be your mini writing group for the 8 weeks. The executive will assign movies for you all to watch for the following week. Week #2 Every writer will pitch one of the movies they saw PLUS pitch their own movie idea. Under the executive's guidance, the individual concepts will be discussed and molded. Homework- Write a synopsis of your story. Week #3 Go over the synopsis in the group setting under the executive's guidance. Homework- Tweak your synopsis. Week #4 Instead of a 2 hour group setting, you will get a PRIVATE one on one 30 minute session with the executive to go over your new and improved synopsis. Homework- Begin outlining act one. Week #5 In the group setting, you will each go over your act one outlines with the executive's guidance. Homework- Begin outlining act two. Week #6 Act two outlines will be worked on under the executive's guidance. Homework- Begin outlining act three. Week #7 Act three outlines will be worked on under the executive's guidance. Homework- Polish your whole outline. Week #8 A PRIVATE one on one session with Garrick to go over your whole outline! About Your Instructor, Garrick Dion (SVP Of Development for Bold Films) Garrick Dion heads up the expanding Development team and brings Bold Films a wealth of industry knowledge and first-rate relationships with the industry's top writing talent. Since joining Bold in 2006, Dion has been involved in the development and co-produced several titles including the critically acclaimed Nicolas Winding Refn helmed Drive, 2014 Sundance Winner and Cannes entrant, Whiplash, and the Golden Globe nominated RFK drama, Bobby, featuring a star studded ensemble cast that included Anthony Hopkins, Sharon Stone, Shia LaBeouf, Demi Moore & Martin Sheen. Before joining Bold Films, Dion worked as a feature development executive for producers Joel Silver (The Matrix) and Denise DiNovi (Message in a Bottle). He has also worked with filmmakers James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo on the feature-length documentaries The Year of the Yao and So Goes the Nation. Additional Co-Producing credits include the supernatural thriller Solstice, director Dan Myrick's follow-up to The Blair Witch Project. He also has writing credits on several features including the Warner Bros. film, A Walk to Remember directed by Adam Shankman and starring Mandy Moore. Dion is a graduate of Ithaca College where he majored in Cinema and Photography. He is a New England native and currently resides in Los Angeles. Testimonials For Garrick's First Level Working Writer's lab "What I liked most about Garrick's lab is that it gives you what most books and seminars can't: a truly intimate look at the screenwriting process that feels more like a one-on-one conversation than a class. Being able to ask questions in such a relaxed scenario with an executive is an incredible opportunity. In regards to his notes, there wasn't a single one he gave that I didn't agree with. They're concise and to the point and he really takes the time to understand the story YOU want to tell. Can't wait for the next lab!" - Eric Grossman (Los Angeles, CA) "There are a lot of courses and books out there to introduce writers to the screenplay world. Garrick's difference emphasizes his special dose of nurture. Seeds of inspiration thrive with individually crafted paths and converge with his tried and true success." - Kathleen Wentworth (Fredericksburg, Virginia) "I had a basic concept that I'd been waiting until I had the time to write it to explore fully. I decided to use the outline lab to get it started and what happened was Garrick helped me find the kernel in that little idea that would not only be a compelling story but also one that would be easier to market. At the end of the outline lab, I came away with the most in depth outline I've ever done, and as I take it to the next level screenplay lab, that foundation enabled old time-stressed me to write the 1st 10 pages in only 2 hours! The outline lab was so productive that the screenplay is practically writing itself. Garrick has a way of offering insight that is not one-sided or demanding, he enables the writer to discover the gems on their own. I've sat in on in-person workshops with everything from McKee to Vogler, and the late Blake Snyder and have never walked away with something so concrete. I couldn't be happier." - Laurie Ashbourne (Jensen Beach, Florida) "Garrick Dion's Script Outlining Class through Stage 32 Happy Writers was amazing! Garrick took the time to get to know everyone in the class. With over 20 years of experience in screenwriting and filmmaking, I've never met anyone with such an expansive knowledge of story and I've taken classes and consulting from the usual suspects. Garrick loves storytelling and it shows. He covered the basics outlining, voice, character, structure in more detail than I've gotten from any book or class. It was a privilege to be invited to his class. He had tons of content and homework consisted of reading pertinent scripts to the class and writing the outline. We finished our outlines by the end of the class with a private meeting with Garrick. I can't wait for part two. Thank you Garrick!, Stage 32 Happy Writers and, of course, Joey Tuccio for organizing the class." - Betty Sullivan (Burbank, CA) "It is a pleasure for me and a professional satisfaction to have the opportunity to work with Garrick in this Writer's Lab. It's incredible the filmography knowledge that he has, the recursive memory he owns to give you specific narrative examples, his creativity, his long experience, his passion of writing, the availability to discuss your project one on one, and above all how good of a person he is. He's truly a professional filmmaker. I recommend Garrick to all writers out there." - Diego Osorio (Los Angeles, CA) "Garrick Dion's Lab was simply fantastic. I learned so much from it especially coming from a currently working development exec. I feel so fortunate to have found Garrick, he's such a professional, knowledgable, experienced and caring guy. His feedback is always so constructive and beneficial. After his class I saw the areas that needed work in my script that I would've never seen without taking his class. Also, the idea that Garrick's still working in the industry and able to analyze your script from a producer's point of view is such a super advantage. I'd advise anyone really interested in getting their script to the next level to take Garrick's Lab. He's simply awesome!" - Andrea Windsor (Philadelphia, PA) "Garrick is incredibly supportive and approachable, as well as being knowledgeable and insightful. His comments and suggestions were always spot on. As a writer himself, he understands the creative process, and as a veteran exec, he not only knows story and structure, but also the industry realities that can impact your script's market potential. I have had a wonderful experience and would recommend it to writers at any level. You won't be disappointed!" -Catherine Arne (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)
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