The most overwhelming, yet critical step for the screenwriter is the first draft. Staring at a blank sheet of paper can induce "writers block" faster than any other challenge facing a screenwriter. Screenwriting: The Art of the First Draft will equip you with a roadmap for tackling your initial draft and guide you to the next steps on the scriptwriting journey.

In this class, Hal Ackerman will teach you how to jumpstart the writing process and complete a written first draft of your screenplay. You’ll learn how to:

Organize your ideas into scenes and acts
Approach character development and dialogue
Take next steps after the first draft is complete

Hal has been teaching screenwriting to students at UCLA since 1985. He has sold material to all the broadcast networks and authored well-known books on the art of screenplay writing and selling In this class, he’ll offer actionable insights on developing your concepts and turning your ideas into a compelling and complete script.

Screenwriting: The Art of the First Draft is your opportunity to learn how to conquer one of screenwriting’s greatest challenges and get your ideas developed and down on paper.

Check out our complete collection of filmmaking classes here.

Class Materials

Bonus Materials with Purchase

Resource Guide - Script Contests

Sample Script Pages

Writing Exercises

The Godfather Scenogram

Character and Writers Objective Diagrams

Blank Scenogram

Ratings and Reviews

Student Work

Hal Ackerman is the Man!!! Loved this course and will be watching it again. Mr. Ackerman is one of those people who truly wants to help you get better at your craft. He's encouraging yet realistic about what it takes to write a great screenplay. I highly recommend this interesting and helpful class.

user-526c85

After taking a number of other screenwriting courses, I can tell you that Hal Ackerman's course, The Art of the First Draft, is the BEST EVER!! His methodology of teaching is fantastic. He takes you on this journey from start to finish in a way that you WILL KNOW how to write a script by the time you finish this course. I liked how he used examples throughout his training to help you better understand screenwriting. If you really want to learn how to be a good screenwriter, then I would highly recommend taking Hal's course. You won't be disappointed.

Celeste

I've read a lot of books on the subject and I've been to a few seminars. Hal Ackerman's class is genuinely one of the best and the most helpful classes I have experienced. What makes the class so great is that every concept has you putting pen to paper or fingers on keyboard right away. Ackerman really has tools that are called to be used. Thanks for the wonderful resource.

2,000+ classes ranging from fundamentals to advanced techniques.

Screenwriting: The Art of the First Draft

Lessons

Why Focus on the First Draft?

Step 1: Overcome Your Fear of Writing

The Importance of a Writing Schedule

Step 2: Choose What Story to Write

What Makes a Compelling Story?

The Protagonist's Journey & Desire

Step 3: Understanding the Three Act Structure

Script Structure: Events Along the Journey

Tools for Shaping Your Script

Step 4: Write Act 1

Step 5: Write Acts 2 & 3

Step 6: How to Generate Conflict

Step 7: Understand Your Character's World

Add Color to the Scene: Dialouge

Flashbacks, Voiceover & Non-linear Scenes

Celebrating the Milestone

How to Get Constructive Feedback

Making Your Elevator Pitch

Class Description

Class Materials

Ratings and Reviews

Student Work

Related Classes

Hal Ackerman

topics covered in this class

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user-526c85

Celeste