Idea to Story: A Development Workshop

Oftentimes, a great idea for a movie or a TV series needs support in the early stages to lay the groundwork for writing the script. Will your idea work best in a film or television series format? What would make it the most compelling viewing experience? Do you have a unique take and voice? Does it have a dramatic engine? Should it live in a genre? Do you have complex characters that audiences will invest in? How do you ensure that your idea becomes a compelling story? How do you make your logline shine? How do you pitch this idea? In this immersive online workshop, you’ll be guided through how to discover, nurture, and refine your original ideas for film and television.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a solid foundation for your story, a clear development plan, and the confidence to take the next steps in your screenwriting or TV writing journey. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to hone your craft, this course provides the tools and support you need to turn your creative vision into reality.

How the course is structured:

From Tuesday-Thursday, you’ll meet as a large group for lecture and generative exercises. On Saturday or Sunday, you’ll select a session to meet in a group of 10 with your advisor to pitch your idea live for feedback.

For an additional fee of $100, you can meet with your Advisor for a 30-minute 1-1 session during the course term. 

This course prepares you for Screenwriting: Core Elements or TV Writing: Core Elements. 

What you bring to the course:

• an interest in writing for the screen (film or television). Creators at any level of experience are welcome to apply.
• a desire to workshop your idea with an advisor and peers.

What you’ll get from the course:

• how to develop your ideas into compelling visual narratives
• an understanding of the key elements that make a story engaging
• how to determine the appropriate length and medium for your idea
• how to create a compelling logline
• how and when to pitch your idea

This course will:

• provide tools and techniques to apply to any project.
• help simplify and streamline the process of writing your outline.
• connect you with other creators via a discussion board where you can discuss core concepts and share your work.

Intensive Schedule

Tuesday, September 10:

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT

Wednesday, September 11:

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT

Thursday, September 12:

4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. PT

Participants will also be grouped into a 3-hour block on September 14 or September 15 based on time zones.

Sundance Collab provides accommodations and support services to participants with disabilities. Accommodations and services are designed to meet the needs of each participant. Please email us at accessibility@sundance.org to arrange for services.