“Corey replaces the rules with tools! His classes were revolutionary to us.
Not only is his teaching style beautiful and inspiring, his content will blow your mind
and elevate your writing like nothing else out there. He is our secret weapon.”LESLIE PATERSON & SIMON MARSHALL
Writers of the Academy Award Winning film, All Quiet on the Western Front
PROFESSIONAL SCREENWRITING AND TELEVISION WRITING WORKSHOP
There are two essential skill sets required for screenwriting and television writing success:
The ability to write scenes that grab a reader’s attention and make them want to keep reading, and the ability to sequence those scenes into the most compelling order (story structure). These skills are not equal.
The first skill is far more important than the second one.
Many writers believe they already write sufficiently strong scenes, characters and dialogue, and that if they could only get better at story structure they’d be able to write professional-level scripts. Unfortunately, this is too often not the case.
I recently met a producer who received 116 script submissions from writers at a pitch fest. He read the first scene or two of each script, but would only continue reading if those scenes were compelling and well written. I asked how many scripts he read beyond the first couple of scenes?
He said only two.
Which means he tossed 114 of the 116 scripts after only a few pages.
The single most important skill required for success is the ability to write original, powerful, and compelling scenes. If a writer can’t consistently do that, all the story structure in the world won’t save them. Without this ability, a writer simply has no shot.
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
In this intensive seven-week workshop, we will analyze successful scenes, complete weekly writing assignments, and review participants’ work in a supportive, yet challenging environment. By working on emotional context, narrative intensity, cohesion, organic escalations, clarity, efficiency, high impact pacing, set-ups, builds and pay-offs, participants will learn the tools necessary to write and edit professional-caliber scenes essential for any successful screenplay or TV script.
Additionally, participants will learn how to develop the four essential screenwriting skill sets necessary for long-term success – writing clear and compelling professional-level conflict, strengthening and integrating both the conceptual (story) and intuitive (character) sides of writing, organic story structure, and rewriting.
Over 3,000 of our graduates now have writing careers.
Do you want to join them?
WHEN
The workshop will be on Wednesday’s, 3:00-6:00pm (PDT) September 25 through November 13 (no class October 16). All class lectures will be recorded, and you can watch them at your convenience in case you have to miss a session, and/or come late/leave early.
WHERE
The workshop will be on Zoom using multi-video conferencing technology. We will all be able to see and hear each other in real time as if we were all in the same room. Writers can attend from all over the world.
COST
$695. Participants may pay by check or credit card.
TO SIGN UP
Please contact assistant@coreymandell.net.
REFUND POLICY
Please note that all payments are non-refundable. If your plans change, you may defer your registration to a future workshop as long as you give us at least a 21 day notice before the start of the first class session. Within 21 days, there are no deferments or refunds allowed.
MEET THE INSTRUCTOR
Corey Mandell is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter who has written projects for Ridley Scott, Wolfgang Petersen, Harrison Ford, Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts, John Travolta, Warner Brothers, Universal, 20th Century Fox, Fox 2000, Fox Family, Working Title, Paramount, Live Planet, Beacon Films, Touchstone, Trilogy, Radiant, Kopelson Entertainment and Walt Disney Pictures.
Corey’s students have gone on to sell or option scripts to Warner Brothers, Paramount, Sony Pictures, Fox, MGM, Disney, Universal, Showtime, FX, USA Network, NBC, HBO, MTV and AMC. Others have been staffed on such shows as Community, Pretty Little Liars, The Fosters, Bones, Justified, Moz
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
As someone with years of experience in the development world I found Corey’s class to be absolutely refreshing. He provides exercises which reinforce fundamental elements needed to create a strong screenplay. If you are committed to becoming a better screenwriter this class can help you.
— Jennifer Soskin, Director of Development and Production at HBO films
No one, and I mean no one, is teaching what Corey is teaching. This is the best workshop I have ever attended. There is no way to describe how beneficial it is. I always felt close as a screenwriter, but after taking this workshop I was able to make the necessary changes in my writing and recently sold my first script to Paramount.
— Michael Helvin, writer of The Lesser Heart
After four years, an MFA, and finally my first break into writing for television, I can say that no one — not even the best graduate programs — are teaching what Corey is, and that integrating his techniques into the day-to-day framework of my writing has been the most important variable in any success I’ve had as a screenwriter. The skills I’ve learned have become my secret weapon in the writer’s room and one of the best things that have ever happened to my career. Anyone that has the opportunity to take his courses — consider yourself one of the lucky ones. I know I do.
— Tamara Carter, Staff Writer on HBO’s The Leftovers
I’ve never met a writing teacher like Corey Mandell. He can help you reach your true potential as a storyteller. What you can get from Corey, if you do the work, is a complete training in process and a path toward creative integration and mastery. I can’t recommend his classes enough to anyone serious about screenwriting or TV writing as a career.
— Jennifer Kushner, Director of Artist Development, Film Independent
Over the years, I’ve developed an impressive distaste for screenwriting courses. Most offer little more than paint by numbers formulas and inapplicable industry advice. But Corey’s class is the exception to the rule. It was a wake up call to me. Corey’s teaching method is so unique, so singular, and effective it made me wonder how I ever wrote without it. It’s hands down the best class out there!
— Gary Lundy, writer of A Happening of Monumental Proportions, starring Jennifer Garner and Katie Holmes
I read the books and took the classes but Corey’s workshop was different. Honestly, it was transformative for me. I use the tools I learned from him in every single script meeting. He reshaped the way I think about screenwriting. If you want to become a better screenwriter and you are not signed up for Corey’s class — seriously, get it together!
— Nick Weiss, co-writer and director of the Paramount movie, Drunk Wedding
Corey’s program represents nothing less than a paradigm shift in writing instruction and learning. No longer does a writer have to be told, “You’re only good with concepts, but you can’t write believable dialogue.” Or, “I love your characters, but you just aren’t good with structure.” Corey’s idea of creative integration isn’t just revolutionary, it is fundamental to successful writing — and has never before been taught. I can’t recommend Corey and his programs highly enough.
— Tom Nunan, former network and studio president, and Executive Producer of the Academy Award-winning Crash
Corey’s class was transformative and a huge paradigm shift for me. His Creative Integration method has completely changed the way I approach my work. The skills I learned in his class are now a main part of my toolbox. As a mom to three, I am very budget-conscious and can say without any reservation that his workshops were definitely worth the investment!
— Brandi Nicole Payne, writer of the HBO film, Muted
I’ve written 1 screenplays without any success. During that time I read every screenwriting book and attended all the seminars. After four weeks with Corey I FINALLY knew why my scripts didn’t work, and more importantly, what to do about it. I used everything he taught me to write a script that landed me a manager and then my first script option. THANK YOU!
— Monica Owens, writer of Timebends
Every client I sent to work with Corey has taken great leaps and bounds. His techniques are ingenious, unique and valuable for both beginners and seasoned professionals. I can’t recommend it enough.
— Jeff Graup, Literary Manager, Graup Entertainment
Corey’s unique approach has been invaluable to understanding the conceptual and intuitive aspects of writing, and has led me on a path towards creative integration of the two. Beyond the classroom, Corey’s wisdom and consultations helped me sell my current pilot, The Owen, to Universal Cable Productions. Thank you!
— Mike Dow, writer and producer on ABC’s Young & Hungry and TV Land’s Happily Divorced
Corey is by far the best writing teacher I’ve ever had and taught me techniques I had never heard of before or since. After finishing his class I landed an agent and my first produced writing credit. I sill consult the notes from Corey’s class in my writing as they’ve been indispensable.
— Keith Schreier, Justified, The Good Wife
As a development executive with the dubious honor of having to read countless boring predictable scripts written to the same old boring predictable formulas taught by a growing number of experts who have never actually written a successful script, I am appreciative someone is finally telling the truth. Anyone serious about wanting to be a professional writer needs to take Corey’s workshop.
— Michelle Sart Tanner
Corey not only taught me the tools to access the dark, painful places that make up my intuitive side, he taught me how to combine the conceptual and the intuitive through Creative Integration to reach my full potential as a writer. In the room or on the page, the benefits of Corey’s workshops are immeasurable.
— Roger Grant, writer and producer on the CW’s Beauty and the Beast and NBC’s Chicago Fire