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ENROLL NOW in 'Script School'!

​​​If your goal in 2026 is to write a new feature film screenplay, the Tennessee Screenwriting Association is here to help you with our 'Script School' program!​​​​​​​​

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Course begins on February 26

TSA Members Only 

How It Works

By following the Tennessee Screenwriting Association's 'Script School' program, writers at all skill and experience levels can set deadlines and hold themselves accountable using a combination of video lectures, course homework, and in-person feedback with their Lab Partners as well as with visiting lecturers who work in the industry.

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Course Work

Video lecture modules (approx 90 min. each) will be available to students in TSA's Member Portal, followed a week later by a live 'Study Hall' session where instructor Bob Giordano will answer questions from the videos and help students with their assigned homework. As was the case last year, Guest Lecturers (working screenwriters or producers) may participate in Study Hall as they are available.

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Study sessions will be held live via Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month from 8-8:30 pm cst. Check the TSA Calendar for updates.

Eligibility

Here are the program requirements for Script School in 2026:​​

  • Every student must first enroll online using the Script School Application. Students who enroll early have the advantage of choosing suitable Lab Partners and more lead time to work on their concepts, loglines, and characters. Early enrollment before the course begins on March 4 is strongly encouraged.

  • The program is open only to dues-paying members of the Tennessee Screenwriting Association. Non-TSA members may join TSA by May 13 to successfully enroll in the course. Members who let their memberships expire before the program ends may be unenrolled from the course and be ineligible to graduate.

  • Class projects should be new feature-length screenplays. Rewritten or unfinished projects from last year's course do not satisfy Honor Roll or Graduation requirements for 2026.

  • All material must be original IP generated entirely by the student, so no literary adaptations, public domain works, or optioned material will be allowed.

  • Lab Teams will have a minimum of 3 people and a maximum of 6. Students are expected to work on their own, outside of TSA's scheduled activities, though presenting project material during Open Mic is strongly encouraged.

  • Since the entire point of Script School is for writers to improve at the craft, use of A.I. for any creative tasks is prohibited. 

  • Students found to be in violation of eligibility or application requirements may be dismissed from the program at the discretion of TSA's Education Committee and all decisions are final.

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Three-Point 
Guarantee

​Students who graduate from Script School get:

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  1. ​​​A completed first-draft of a feature-length screenplay up to industry standards

  2. A proven and consistent writing process that will aid in future writing projects

  3. A certification standard for TSA’s Mentorship program and written feedback on your script

Course Schedule: 2026

​1st Semester

 

Module 1 - What’s the Big Idea?  (February 26 w/ study session on March 4)

Examine ideas, loglines, budget, & genre, as well as methods for generating ideas, IP, Public Domain, and how to turn your ideas into loglines. Understanding the Protagonist and force of antagonism.

  • Homework 1: Develop your idea into a Logline

  • Homework 2: Identify a Lab Partner (groups of 2 or more) and pitch them

  • Homework 3: Read at least one screenplay​

 

Module 2 - Mapping the Course  (March 12 w/ study session on March 18)

Discussion on three-act structure, page counts, format, and the sequence approach to story structure. Start thinking about conflict - physical and emotional.

  • Homework 1: Develop your Logline into three acts

  • Homework 2: Begin cataloging ideas on your story’s plot, characters, and theme

  • Homework 3: Read a produced script

 

Module 3 - Macro to Micro  (March 26 w/ study session on April 1)

Deep dive on structure, outlines, treatments, and synopses. Clarifying your Protagonist’s goals, actions, decisions, & visual storytelling.

  • Homework 1: Refine ideas for plot, character, and theme

  • Homework 2: Start reading scripts (one per week for remainder of program)

 

Module 4 - And So It Begins…  (April 9 w/ study session on April 15)

Act One structure, waypoints, and the first 10 pages. Also included will be character-defining introductions using film clip tutorials.

Guest Instructor: Cat Stewart

  • Homework: Outlining Act 1 / Seq. 1-2

  • Extra Credit: What will you do with your script when it's done?

 

Module 5 - Journey Through Conflict  (April 30 w/ study session on May 6)

A deep-dive into Act 2 structure, which includes sequences 3-6; rising and falling action; setups and payoffs; and constructing a midpoint and the second plot point that takes us into Act 3.

  • Homework: Outlining Act 2 / Seq. 3-6

  • Extra Credit: Who would you cast in your script?

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Module 6 - The Big Finish!  (May 14 w/ study session on May 20)

Act 3 structure; final sequences; successful resolutions to plot and character arcs.

  • Homework: Outlining Act 3 / Seq. 7-8

  • Read a produced script

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2nd Semester 

 

 Module 7 - What Does It All Mean?  (May 28 w/ study session on June 3)

Discuss character & character arc and how that relates to plot and theme. Examine the protagonist's want/need/goal dynamic. Tools for more emotional storytelling and how to express your philosophy and beliefs through your characters.

  • Homework: Continue building plot and character arc

  • Extra Credit Homework: Complete and pitch Thematic Premise worksheet

 

Module 8 - Give Your Substance Some Style!  (June 11 w/ study session on June 17) 

Scene structure & style techniques using recent screenplays as tutorials.

  • Homework: Break down a movie, either alone, or with Lab Partner

  • Homework 2: Review your story's Outline and define purpose(s) for each scene

 

Module 9 - In the Beginning…  (June 25 w/ study session on July 1)

Creating an opening scene (and the first ten pages) that will hook a reader and signal that they are a master storyteller who is in control of their writing using film clip tutorial.

  • Homework: Develop three different opening scenes for your script. Share with Lab Partner and choose the best one

 

Module 10 - Talk, Talk, Talk  (July 9 w/ study session on July 15)

Dialogue techniques using film clip tutorial.

  • Homework: Share "final" Outline with Lab Partners & Begin Writing Pages

 

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3rd Semester

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Sunday School  (Problem solve & Q&A w/ instructor via Zoom from 4:00-5:00 pm cst)

  • August 16, 23, 30

  • September 6, 13, 20

  • October 4, 11​

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Early Deadline (Honor Roll):  October 18, 2026

Late Deadline:  November 8, 2026

Graduation ceremony:  Date & Location tba

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Enroll Now for 2026

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TSA Members Only
or Join @ $25/year
Writing Experience (pick one)
I have never completed a feature-length screenplay before
I have completed one feature-length screenplay
I have completed multiple feature-length screenplays
One or more of my feature film screenplays has placed in a competition and/or been optioned and/or been produced
Education (pick all that apply)
Lab Partner Preferences (pick one)
I have no preference in the selection of my Lab Partner for the program
I prefer to be paired with another writer who has the same basic skill level as me
I prefer to be paired with a specific Lab Partner who I have learned is also participating in the program (see below)
TSA Script School 2025 (pick one)
I did not participate in last year's 'Script School' program sponsored by the TSA
I participated in Script School 2025, but did not complete my class project by the end of the course
I participated in Script School 2025, and completed my class project by the end of the course
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