June 18-20 | Live on Zoom | 5 Spots Available
A guided script development system
that helps you build the foundation of your story from the ground up.
This is an intimate 3-day intensive designed to give you full creative control over your story—without losing clarity on how all its parts connect.
Writing a script requires sustained awareness across multiple layers such as character, plotting, world, tone, meaning, conflict, and many more that are not generally in the forefront of your mind but are critical to best practice in the craft.
Even experienced writers can lose sight of integration during development without a system, and too many lose a grip of the vital basics that keep the heart of story beating.
It is essential to have a system to keep you grounded so that you ensure you build on a solid foundation and don't get lost in the weeds, inadvertently forgetting about or omitting vital elements, and then, keeping them all aligned.
In this course, you learn how to:
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identify every building block and layer (there are a lot!)
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craft each one as we systematically build one upon another
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keep them all integrated and congruent
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learn some unique tools to help you
You will leave with a re-usable guide book and system to keep you on track every step of the way.
WHAT YOU LEAVE WITH
By the end of the intensive, you will have:
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a mapped foundation for your story
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a clear sense of narrative direction
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a structured development pathway for your script
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a one-page sales document
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a reusable system for continuing script development
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and more
You can bring an existing project or develop a new idea during the course.
Live on Zoom | June 18-20 | Limited to 5 Writers
"[Susanna] does such a great job of walking you through the layers of a story, sharing tips and tools and is a great cheerleader to help develop yourself further. "
– April Pineiro, CA Filmmaker
SCRIPT WRITING
FOUNDATIONS 101
See different ways to access or customize it here.
To see the 3 ways you can access the course click here.
THE CORE CHALLENGE
Why scripts lose coherence
As stories develop, writers often make decisions in isolation:
a character change here
a plot adjustment there
a tonal shift elsewhere
Without a system to keep all story layers visible together, narratives can drift, fragment, or lose focus.
The challenge is not generating material—it is maintaining coherence as it develops.
"When I first started out I had just dozens of stories that went nowhere and died in ACT 1. Now I have multiple bulletproof, industry ready scripts, and I’m actually pitching those scripts to producers."
– Colin Langford, South Carolina Writer/Filmmaker
HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS
A multi-layer development process
You are guided through a structured process that ensures every key dimension of your story is intentionally developed and tracked.
1. Creative alignment
Before development begins, you clarify:
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audience
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medium
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genre expectations
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narrative intent
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thematic direction
2. Story layer development
You build the full architecture of your story:
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character psychology and relationships
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world-building and narrative rules
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tone, aesthetic, and style
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conflict systems and dramatic pressure
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thematic meaning and subtext
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sensory and experiential design
3. Structural organization
Only once the story is fully developed do you engage structural systems such as:
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Harmon’s story structure
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beat-based frameworks
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story spine approaches
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or writer-selected structural models
Structure is used to help solidify the plot layout —not define the story.
4. Multi-perspective interrogation
Your work is examined through multiple creative lenses:
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writer (intent and clarity)
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actor (embodiment and truth)
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director (scene logic and execution)
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dramaturg (function and structure)
This ensures the story holds across interpretation, performance, and narrative design.
"What sets Susanna apart is her ability to structure lessons in a way that builds knowledge step by step, allowing for real, lasting growth. Her tools and teaching approach gave me the confidence and insight I needed to elevate my work, and for that I am sincerely grateful."
– Clark Moses, CA Filmmaker
How the 3 Days Work
We meet on zoom and learn principles that build logically one upon another. With each step we ask important questions regarding your story. You will make key decisions along the way and will be given time to write your answers, ideas, and any notes in your re-useable workbook that will be provided. This workbook acts as a guide for every new script.
What is unique about the course is the personalized attention, group participation and individual time to work on your script.
It is also unique in that it incorporates not just writing skills but also acting, directing, and dramaturgical practice. Susanna acts as a dramaturg to each writer throughout the process and students practice doing this for one another. It is preparatory to useful participation in the Writer’s Circle. You learn that script writing is more than a solo endeavor.
Day 1 — Foundation & Concept Development
We clarify your idea and establish the most foundational aspects of your story. You may come with one in mind or start a new one. A short piece is a great exercise.
Private consultations.
Day 2 — Narrative Architecture
We build on your foundation and discuss the layers of your story framework.
Private consultations.
Movie night and post discussion.
Day 3 — Structure, Interrogation & One-Sheet
We discuss structure, the lenses of interrogation of your work and create a professional one-page pitch document.
Private consultations.
See the Schedule
Click on the dates to see the schedule. June 18-20
"It was so much fun!"
– Mariano Descalzi, Colorado Actor/Producer
Extra Consultation Time
Additional Consultation time is available for an additional fee.
“For the past four year I haven’t sent out a script that didn’t go to [Susanna] first, and I can’t imagine not having her insights and guidance. With her help, the story that’s in your head will arrive on that page – and faster than you think.”
– Daniel Mesta, New York playwright/dramaturg
Writer's Circle
Reinforce Your Work
Writer’s Circle is our regular Tuesday morning gathering where we share our scripts, have them read and receive valuable feedback. This a perfect follow-up to support your continued writing journey. Join us in the fall after summer break.
“...we took home first place for the 3 minute films, and won best overall cinematography! So thank you! Without the help of your writers group, I for sure wouldn't have done this well!”
– Ace Lovelace, Kansas City Actor, Writer, Director
About Your Instructor
Susanna Bezooyen is a writer/dramaturg/producer who holds an MFA in Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, UK. She has won numerous awards for her work. In February 2026 her short film "It's Not Haunted" premiered on the festival circuit. The feature for "It's Not Haunted" is now in development for a production company in Utah and she has another feature slated for production with a producer in Colorado.
Since Fall 2019, she has hosted the Writer’s Circle, where hundreds of writers, directors, producers and dramaturgs working with hundreds of scripts—have supported one another in the script development process as they move projects from concept toward production.
It was participating in the group that prompted Susanna to develop this Script Writing Foundations 101 course to address the needs she was seeing in the room. She says it is the course that she wishes she had.
"Susanna has a gift for writing and teaching. She is very patient.
– JoAnna de Castro, CA Actor
"Susanna is a gifted writer with years of experience. Her greatest asset is her ability to see one’s potential and help them gain a vision for themselves. She’ll be your biggest cheer leader and your best advocate in confidently improving your writing and creative work.
– Benjamin Raymant, London, UK Actor
WHO THIS IS FOR
This intensive is designed for you if you are:
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A script writer wanting a repeatable system to keep you on track.
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A beginner to intermediate script writer
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A director or producer needing help with understanding the scriptwriting process
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Wanting to write, but are short on ideas
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Full of ideas, but have no clue how to start
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A writer stuck in early drafts or constant rewrites
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A novelist or other writer looking to adapt your work to a scripted medium
What This Is Not
This Is Not:
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A course where you will finish writing your script (unless it's short)
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The beginning and end of learning the craft
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A fixed formula or single method
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A passive or prerecorded course
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For anyone adverse to group participation
This course covers the vital preparatory work required before doing the bulk of the writing. We all work together in a collaborative way while also giving you time throughout the course to do preliminary writing.
What you will leave with is:
A structural foundation and reusable development system you can continue building from with clarity and direction.
Are there other ways to get the course?
Yes. Private Intensives and Series (a series of shorter class times) are available. Click the button below to inquire.
How the System Was Developed
This system has been developed through years of sustained creative practice, study with leading writers in the field, and direct engagement with hundreds of writers and scripts through Writer’s Circle.
It is grounded in observing a consistent challenge:
writers losing coherence during development—not due to lack of talent, but due to the absence of a reliable system for tracking and integrating creative decisions.
This intensive is designed to address that directly.
Investment
Script Writing Foundations 101
3-Day Intensive | June 18–20 | Live on Zoom
Investment: $950 USD
Your registration includes:
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Three full days of live instruction and guided development
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Personalized dramaturgical support from Susanna during class
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50 minute Private Consultation with Susanna
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Structured feedback from fellow writers
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The Script Writing Foundations 101 workbook
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The Script Writing Foundations 101 cheat sheet
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Other development tools
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Your completed One-Sheet sales document
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Certificate of Completion
Reserve your spot - only 5 available
Spaces are intentionally limited to ensure close, focused work with each writer throughout the intensive.
You will receive instructions for payment.
Wise and Paypal are available.
Your spot will be reserved upon receipt of payment and a welcome package and instructions will sent to you before the course begins.
