Script Consultant Course

Lesson 1 • The Script Development Ecosystem

Maps the full lifecycle of a script from pitch to production. Positions the consultant's touchpoints within that lifecycle.

Lesson 2 • Professional Ethics and Confidentiality

Establishes ethical standards governing script handling and client relationships. Prevents common professional missteps early in practice.

Lesson 3 • Core Competencies and Mindset

Identifies the analytical, creative, and interpersonal skills required. Frames the consultant's dual obligation to craft and commercial viability.

Lesson 1 • Alternative Structural Models

Surveys five-act, sequence, and non-linear frameworks used in prestige and independent work. Expands the consultant's diagnostic vocabulary beyond classical models.

Lesson 2 • Genre Conventions and Expectations

Maps structural norms specific to major genres including thriller, comedy, and drama. Enables consultants to evaluate scripts against genre-appropriate benchmarks.

Lesson 3 • Premise, Theme, and Central Question

Teaches how to extract and evaluate a script's governing idea. Connects thematic clarity to structural coherence and audience engagement.

Lesson 4 • Classical Three-Act Architecture

Examines setup, confrontation, and resolution as the backbone of most commercial scripts. Provides a diagnostic baseline for structural analysis.

Lesson 1 • Voice, Dialogue, and Characterization

Evaluates how dialogue reveals character and advances story simultaneously. Identifies common dialogue failures and their fixes.

Lesson 2 • Antagonist and Opposition Forces

Examines how opposition creates dramatic pressure and reveals protagonist character. Covers human antagonists, systemic forces, and internal conflict.

Lesson 3 • Protagonist Design and Function

Analyzes what makes a protagonist compelling, active, and audience-worthy. Connects protagonist design to overall story engine.

Lesson 4 • Character Arc and Transformation

Teaches how to assess the credibility and completeness of character change. Links arc to theme and structural turning points.

Lesson 1 • Conflict and Tension Mechanics

Examines how conflict operates at the scene level to sustain engagement. Distinguishes productive tension from manufactured drama.

Lesson 2 • Scene Anatomy and Purpose

Defines what every scene must accomplish in terms of conflict, information, and momentum. Provides a checklist for scene-level evaluation.

Lesson 3 • Visual Storytelling and Action Lines

Evaluates how action lines communicate story visually and efficiently. Addresses over-writing, under-writing, and camera direction intrusion.

Lesson 1 • Calibrating Recommendations

Teaches how to make defensible pass, consider, and recommend decisions. Aligns recommendations with client goals and market context.

Lesson 2 • Writing Analytical Comments

Develops the skill of writing balanced, evidence-based script commentary. Connects specific textual examples to broader evaluative conclusions.

Lesson 3 • Consultant Reports vs. Coverage

Distinguishes the deeper consultant report from standard reader coverage. Covers extended formats used for development notes and rewrite briefs.

Lesson 4 • Writing the Synopsis

Teaches concise, spoiler-complete synopsis writing that serves the reader's needs. Distinguishes synopsis from pitch and from scene-by-scene breakdown.

Lesson 1 • Asking Diagnostic Questions

Teaches Socratic questioning techniques that help writers discover solutions themselves. Shifts the consultant from prescriber to facilitator.

Lesson 2 • Structuring a Feedback Session

Provides a session framework that moves from big picture to detail. Prevents consultants from overwhelming writers with unstructured critique.

Lesson 3 • Managing Difficult Feedback Situations

Prepares consultants for resistant writers, scope disputes, and emotionally charged sessions. Provides de-escalation and boundary-setting tools.

Lesson 4 • Psychology of Creative Feedback

Examines how writers receive criticism and what triggers defensive responses. Equips consultants to frame feedback for maximum receptivity.

Lesson 1 • Budget and Production Feasibility

Introduces script-level indicators of production cost and complexity. Enables consultants to flag budget mismatches between script and intended market.

Lesson 2 • Understanding the Buyers Landscape

Maps the range of buyers including studios, streamers, and independent financiers. Connects buyer type to script requirements and tone expectations.

Lesson 3 • Trend Awareness Without Trend Chasing

Teaches consultants to contextualize scripts within market trends without over-indexing on them. Balances timely relevance with timeless craft.

Lesson 4 • Audience and Demographic Targeting

Examines how target audience shapes script requirements and marketing potential. Connects demographic clarity to greenlight probability.

Lesson 1 • Pricing, Packages, and Contracts

Covers rate-setting strategies, service packaging, and contract essentials. Prevents underpricing and scope disputes through clear agreements.

Lesson 2 • Managing Client Relationships

Covers communication cadence, expectation management, and long-term retention. Builds the habits that turn one-time clients into repeat business.

Lesson 3 • Defining Your Consulting Niche

Guides consultants in identifying their strongest genre, format, or client specialization. Positions niche clarity as a competitive advantage.

Lesson 4 • Professional Development and Staying Current

Establishes habits for continuous learning and industry engagement. Ensures consultants remain credible and competitive over time.