Pro Series: Down Under™
Complete Course Outline

This six-month ONLINE course will take you through the entire process of creating a high concept, marketable screenplay.

Each day, you'll receive a new email in your inbox which includes a clear lesson with specific examples, and an assignment which you'll post to an online forum. Each module lasts about 10 days, and we'll take breaks of around 10 days between modules.

Let's look at the entire program:

First off, we start with a Teleconference, to get you prepared for the six months ahead. You'll get specific tips and suggestions for how best to approach this process. You'll hear from Hal and Jeff directly, and be able to ask any questions you like.

Then, we move into the first module: High Concept

HIGH CONCEPT (Module 1)

The High Concept module is now broken into two parts, and is unlike anything you've seen anywhere else. If you have a movie idea already, you'll see how to make it marketable in the first part. If you don't have an idea, you'll discover a step-by-step process for generating marketable High Concept screenplays in the second part.

Day 1: Million Dollar Concepts -- What is a High Concept idea and how do we create them?
Day 2: Part One: Applying the first four formats for marketable screenplay ideas to your concept.
Day 3: Applying the next four formats for marketable screenplay ideas to your concept.
Day 4: Applying the final four formats for marketable screenplay ideas to your concept.
Day 5: Part Two: The Fascinating Core -- How to find the fascination behind and idea and turn it into a High Concept story idea.
Day 6: How to use the Fascinating Core to explode your ideas into a whole new level.
Day 7: The producer's thinking process, and how to make sure your idea works.
Day 8: The six rules of great concepts.
Day 9: The Million Dollar Question, and how to put the power into your own hands.
Day 10: Final comments and assignments for developing your High Concept

After the High Concept Module, we schedule another teleconference to make sure the ideas are clear, and to ensure that all your questions are answered.

Then, you'll have two one-on-one phone consultations -- one with Hal and one with Jeff -- to work through your specific High Concept idea, to make sure you spend the rest of the course working on a marketable concept, and to help you decide which market you're writing for.

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We then take a break between modules, before returning to:

PLOTTING AND OUTLINING (Module 2)

Once we've got a High Concept ready, it's time to Plot and Outline your story. After this module is completed, you'll spend the rest of the course writing your story, so it's important to make sure your plot and outline are on the right track!

Day 1: Now that your concept is ready, you'll present it to the group. (A group release form and confidentiality agreement will be required.)
Day 2: Subtext plots, and how to use them to enhance your story.
Day 3: Plotting for comedy, even if you're not writing one.
Days 4 - 5: Plotting for drama, and determining the plot that's right for you.
Day 6: An introduction to the basic story structure, and why a clear understanding of it is so crucial.
Day 7: How to design your story's major events.
Day 8: How to give your outlines extra spice and interest.
Day 9: The cliche-busting formula, and how to use it to create an original plot
Day 10: Getting feedback on your story plot and outline.

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We then take a break between modules, before returning to:

CREATING CHARACTERS (Module 3)

You've now got your High Concept and your Story Outline, but it's time to take a much closer look at the characters we'll be following through your story. And perhaps even more importantly, it's time to create character that appeal to A-List actors -- three-dimensional characters audiences will love.

Day 1: How to create characters actors love, that make writing exciting and increase the drama.
Day 2: Characterization, and the six specific places where you can demonstrate it powerfully.
Day 3: Character agendas -- how to create them and use them for maximum effect.
Day 4: Character attitude -- when it comes across on the page, it's irresistable.
Day 5: Character relationships -- an incredible writing tool.
Day 6: What dialogue is and what it isn't, and how to avoid crucial mistakes.
Day 7: Off-the-nose dialogue -- how to give your dialogue character.
Day 8: Backstory in dialogue, and how to triple the audience's experience of your characters.
Day 9: Designing characters for subtext, including three specific methods.
Day 10: The three components of creating astounding characters that attract A-List actors.
Day 11: Getting feedback on your characters.

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We then take a break between modules, before returning to:

DRAMATIC DEVICES (Module 4)

Now we're ready to start creating fascinating scenes for your story, and this module will unveil some startling and powerful techniques and dramatic devices. Even those dramatic devices you may be familiar with get a new spin, and Hal reveals specific practical steps for using them effectively.

Day 1: What makes a script dramatic?
Day 2: Conflict and Tension, and how to apply them to your story.
Day 3: Dramatic Irony, and a specific structure for creating it.
Day 4: Twists that keep the reader glued to your story.
Day 5: Setup and Payoff, and how it works.
Day 6: Settings that add drama -- how to find, create and use them.
Day 7: The Crucible -- forcinig characters to conflict with each other.
Day 8: Misleads and Reveals, why they keep the reader with you, and how to create them.
Day 9: Creating a future for your scene.
Day 10: Applying Dramatic Devices to your scripts, and getting feedback.

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We then take a break between modules, before returning to:

WRITING WITH BOLDNESS (Module 5)

A screenplay needs to be more than just the blueprint for the movie's production. In order to sell your work, you'll need to grab the reader and not let go. In this module, you'll take your writing to a whole new level, by creating a script the reader can't put down.

Day 1: Causing anticipation and making your script a page-turner.
Day 2: Learn to propel your audience in the future of your movie with "anticipatory dialogue".
Day 3: Using Suspense to keep your audience worrying about what happens next.
Day 4: Applying Hooks to constantly incite your reader's curiosity.
Day 5: Uncertainty in your script -- the key to audience participation.
Day 6: How to apply hope and fear in a specific way to keep your audience watching.
Day 7: Vivid Visual Description makes the audience watch the movie in their minds.
Day 8: How to write description that engages the emotions of the reader.
Day 9: Being Bold -- how to put attitude in your writing that leaps off the page.
Day 10: Applying "Boldness" to your scripts, and getting feedback.

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We then take a break between modules, before returning to:

REVEALING SUBTEXT (Module 6)

A script without subtext has virtually no chance of selling. Why? Because it's flat and one-dimensional, and doesn't effectively tell a story. In this module, we'll explore the exact nature of subtext, and create ways of revealing it on the page.

Day 1: Understanding subtext in a script -- how it works and how it's revealed.
Day 2: Three specific methods for generating character subtext.
Day 3: Building subext into your character relationships.
Day 4: How to design scenes for subtext that has a dramatic effect on the reader.
Day 5: Introducing symbols and symbolic meaning to reveal powerful subtext.
Day 6: The Cover-up and the methods for using it effectively.
Day 7: Six specific language patterns for subtext, and how to apply them.
Day 8: How to design scenes with Multiple Meanings for a compelling reader experience.
Day 9: Applying Subtext to your scripts, and getting feedback.

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We then take a break between modules, before returning to:

ADVANCED DIALOGUE (Module 7)

It's an unspoken fact that 80% of producers only read about 20% of the description. What they focus on is the dialogue. Great dialogue is the hallmark of the well-written screenplay, and this module will give you powerful tools to write the best dialogue you've ever written.

Day 1: What makes great dialogue great?
Day 2: Expressing Character fully with the three keys to well-pronounced character traits.
Day 3: How exactly to put more character in your dialogue.
Day 4: Using contrasting dialogue to leap the words off the page.
Day 5: Eleven forms of Anticipatory Dialogue that will keep your reader glued.
Day 6: Dialogue structures that match real conversation.
Day 7: Creating suspenseful dialogue through dialogue subtext cover-ups.
Day 8: Subtext pointers -- how to make sure they get it.
Day 9: A specific structure for creating colourful dialogue that's a joy to read.
Day 10: Applying Advanced Dialogue to your scripts, and getting feedback.

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We then take a break between modules, before returning to:

GREAT ENDINGS (Module 8)

You've hooked them with a High Concept, drawn them into a powerfully-plotted story with compelling, richly-drawn characters in intriguing scenes laden with subtext, and your bold style has them riveted. But it's the ending that will decide your ultimate fate. Leave them thinking RAVING about it, and you've got a sale. This module shows you how.

Day 1: What makes a great ending?
Day 2: Structuring the Third Act to create a powerhouse end.
Day 3: Which type of ending is right for your story -- happy, tragic or ironic?
Day 4: Six kick-ass endings that knock your socks off.
Day 5: How to set up your endings to have the maximum impact.
Day 6: Six rules that will make your ending great.
Day 7: Final pages that add new meaning and create an impact on the reader.
Day 8: Parting words and visuals, and the keys to the final line or image.
Day 9: Applying Great Endings to your script, and getting feedback.

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We then take a break between modules, before returning to:

THE FIRST TEN PAGES (Module 9)

Using the tools you've learned so far, your screenplays will be taking on a new life and excitement, and you'll find your enthusiasm for your writing lift higher than ever before. But you still only have 10 pages to grab the reader's interest. In this module, we'll make sure you've snagged the reader, and got them turning the page.

Day 1: What makes a great opening?
Day 2: Creating openings that dazzle the reader, including specific formats
Day 3: The rules for a great opening.
Day 4: Necessary structural components of the first ten pages that will keep the reader glued to your script.
Day 5: First pages that blow 'em away.
Day 6: Making your first ten pages the best they can be.
Day 7: Applying the Firs Ten Pages lessons to your scripts, and getting feedback.

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We then take a break between modules, before returning to:

MARKETING YOUR SCRIPT (Module 10)

When you're finished with your script, there's no point in keeping it on your shelf. It's time to get out there and start marketing it. This module takes you through the steps you need to create a powerful marketing plan for your script.

Day 1: Understand marketing and what the movie business wants from screenwriters.
Day 2: Write an amazing "One-page" that gives them enough story to know they're dealing with a professional.
Day 3: Write a fascinating synopsis that increases their desire to read your script.
Day 4: Write high-quality loglines.
Day 5: Create a verbal pitch that causes people to "live your movie" in their minds.
Day 6: Target your market to increase your chances of success.
Day 7: Get your pitch down -- including a 15-minute phone call with Hal where he coaches you on your phone/verbal pitch.
Day 8: Make contact with producers, agents and managers to build relationships that can turn into business.
Day 9: Get people to read and refer your script, and what to do when they ask to read it that will increase your chances of success.
Day 10: Fitting in with Hollywood while remaining creative.
Day 11: Finalizing your marketing campaign.

When you have finished this module, we'll have another teleconference, in which Hal will present his 21-step Re-Write process.

Because this course is educational in nature, you are learning new skills AS you write your screenplay. It's causing tremendous new breakthroughs every single day of the course. You'll discover through this process that some of the things you learn later in the process will re-shape your understanding of the lessons you learned earlier in the process.

But what that means in practice, is that you'll want to go back and apply what you've learned in some scenes to ALL the scenes you've written. You'll be excited, eager, and ready with a new array of skills to take your work to a new height of professional.

For this reason, it's generally a good idea to expect to spend an additional 2 - 3 months on your re-write, when the course has finished.

Generally, you should allow approximately 30 - 60 minutes each day for the exercises, when the modules are running. Participants are easily capable of taking patches of time off, and resuming where they left off. Participation of the forums is also optional (you'll get value out of this course even if you don't participate), however we STRONGLY suggest that participants do every day's exercise. "Knowing" is not enough; we must DO. By simply doing each day's exercise, you will improve your writing skills by at least 100%.

And that's quite confidently guaranteed.

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