What Writers Say About ScreenwritingU
"I have been involved with Screenwriting U since early 2008. At the time I was a writer with a lot of concepts swimming around in my head but zero idea on what it took to be successful in the business. I started with Hal and Cheryl Croasmun's Pro series class – a six month crash course in everything screenwriting. I followed that up with a rewrite course, advanced dialogue, subtext, and Movie Stars courses – continuing to write every day and get feedback from Hal, Cheryl and an amazing network of writers. I also attended two of Hal's live events and met over 40 producers which provided untold insight into how the business really works.
In late 2009 I gained representation and just recently signed a co-production agreement with Little Studio Films / Tornado Pictures to get one of my scripts made. Exciting times for sure but it wouldn't have been possible without that one decision I made back in '08 to take the amazing courses Hal delivers out of ScreenwritingU.
It was a decision that literally helped me gain entrance into the movie business."
AJ Ferrara
Magic City Pictures
As far as screenwriting classes go, I’ve tried nearly ALL of them. I’ve got a Master’s in Professional Writing from USC with a specialization in screenwriting. Have done all the Writer’s Boot Camp classes more than once. UCLA extension. Every book on the market. You name it.
The best by FAR was the *online* (I know, I couldn’t believe it either), ProSeries (followed by the ProSeries rewrite class) from ScreenwritingU.com. When I started the ProSeries, I had a handful of scripts in my closet and was a well-trained amateur. When I finished, I immediately optioned a script, landed a manager, and began getting paid writing assignments.
Hal Croasmun is a savant at teaching advanced screenwriting skills in a way I’ve never seen in any teacher. I kid you not. He comes from a corporate training background and is brilliant at not only determining what works in a given screenwriting situation, but at breaking down each skill into very clear steps that tell the writer HOW TO DO IT! Then he provides a safe haven for writers to practice their new skills so each writer comes out of the course, not only having learned the skills, but having practiced using them. It’s amazing what that does to the quality of one’s writing.
Okay – enough. I know it sounds like I work for the guy or something, but I don’t. I’m just a VERY satisfied customer.
Lynn Dickinson
I was one of the three grand-prize winners in the 2009 Big Break contest. That winning script was the direct result of an online screenwriting course at ScreenwritingU. I came up with the original idea, wrote the script and polished it using the tools I learned in several of the ScreenwritingU courses. I'm convinced I would not have won the Big Break contest without what I learned from ScreenwritingU and that's why I thanked SU's founder, Hal Croasmun, in my acceptance speech at the Paley Center.
Prior to taking the SU online classes, I'd gone through an 18-month boot camp-type course in Santa Monica, attended many writing classes and seminars (including Truby and Freeman), and read countless screenwriting books (including McKee, Snyder, Iglesias, Schechter, Williams, Field, Trottier, Seger, Mernit and others).
All of these other experiences were helpful, but none offered the breakthroughs I got from ScreenwritingU.
The ScreenwritingU classes (ProSeries, Pushing the Envelope, Writing for Movie Stars, Quality Elevation, Fresh & Edgy, Subtext, etc.) all gave me theoretical concepts and nuts-and-bolts tools that dramatically improved my writing.
SU also offers on-going online resources through their alumni program. SU writers are able to celebrate each other's successes as well as connect with producers, managers and agents. I continue to recommend SU to anyone and everyone that will listen.
The SU techniques aren't the only ones I use. I'm also a huge fan of Blake Snyder and other key players. But the work I did with SU is what really pushed my writing forward and allowed me to become a Nicholl semifinalist, Austin finalist and Big Break winner.
Kevin Lee Miller
I would like to highly recommend Screenwriting U. Hal Croasmun runs a dynamic series of courses for all levels of ability. He constantly updates and adapts the courses to improve the learning experience.
Having the knowledge as a tutor is only one piece of the puzzle, what Hal excels at is the teaching methods that maximize the learning experience. Hal's focus on imparting an understanding of the business side of the industry and how the screenwriter fits into the framework is also invaluable for those unfamiliar with the industry.
In addition to the Pro Series course, I found the subtext and dialogue courses particularly useful.
I use a number of the skills from Hal's courses as both a writer and producer involved with story development at Atlantic Picture Company.
Kind Regards
Kirk Weddell
www.atlanticpicturecompany.com
Just wanted to say how much I have valued taking Hal's classes at ScreenwritingU and how much I value being apart of their PSA alumni.
In my opinion the classes are by far the most advanced out there – as they not only delve into the techniques and script writing theories but Hal's exercises MAKE a writer write better. Perhaps the best thing you could do is take some and see for yourself. They are absolutely brilliant.
Also, because of ScreenwritingU, I now have screenwriting peers all over the world. We exchange scripts and ideas constantly. Members of the PSA are constantly forging ahead with their careers.
Sincerely,
Ricki Holmes
