Workshop FAQ's

1.  What's so special about your class?
I'm all about you.  I'm about giving you the motivation and tools to create a great script and a rewarding career.

2.  What else?
Support doesn't end with the class.  After the completion of the eight weeks you're still invited to submit material started in the workshop for a free evaluation and notes for up to an ADDITIONAL EIGHT WEEKS!

3.  Then what?
After the additional eight weeks, I invite and encourage all my students to keep in touch, share triumphs and successes.  You can always count on a response to questions which may arise.

5. Can I share my work with other students?  Is this okay?
Yes, you can exchange material with whomever you like.  It is not a requirement though and until you’ve all learned a common vocabulary you might want to hold off.

6. I can’t wait a WHOLE week to give you my work... what can I do?
I read everything that’s created by the students in my classes, and I give notes on a regular basis.  You can submit assignments via e-mail or wait until the next class to hand them in.  I will respond to any e-mails I receive usually within a couple of days.

7. How long do I have to wait for feedback from you?
I attempt to get back to everyone in a timely fashion.  (See above)  That means usually before the next class meets.  I DO NOT normally return e-mails and feedback on the weekends.

9. How much of my script will I complete?
That’s entirely up to you. I’ve designed the course so that the average student can complete as much as the first half of their screenplay. I expect most of you to complete the first act, which is somewhere between 25-45 pages. An awful lot depends on you and how you work.

10. But I won’t finish in class?
You can.  I’ve taught six week courses where ambitious students have completed feature length scripts, but that’s a great deal to ask and why I allow an additional 8 weeks of support.  If you put in the hours and follow the course, everyone SHOULD be able to finish their screenplays.

11. When you say "put in the hours" how much time are we talking?
A minimum of ten hours a week outside of class.  That’s very little, and everyone should be able to find that time.

12. I studied before and my last teacher did things differently. Why?
We all have our own methods.  I try to focus on individual attention, positive feedback, and helping the writer discover a method that will work for them in the future as well as the present.  The emphasis here is on PROCESS as much if not more than PRODUCT.  Please note that I am always open to suggestions and if they are workable I will do my best to incorporate them.

13. Can I turn in assignments late? 
Gee, I’d rather you didn’t, but if you must, you must.  If I receive pages past the following class, I put them at the bottom of my reading pile and get to them as soon as possible - but I promise to get to them.

14. Will you tell me if I have what it takes to make it?
I would, but what if I'm wrong?  My position as a teacher is very simple, I'm here to help you write the very best script you possibly can AND to give you the tools you need to repeat your best effort. I wouldn’t want to discourage the next Charlie Kaufman.

15. But can you really teach talent?
No, you can’t.  You’ve either got talent or you haven’t.  However, someone with a tiny amount of talent, and a ton of drive, can learn to MAXIMIZE their potential, and education is the path to becoming an over achiever.

16. What if I don’t like the class, can I get my money back?
You have two weeks to make that decision.  If you find that you’re not getting what you want out of the class at that time, you can ask for a refund.  Beyond the first two weeks, you’re out of luck.

17. Anything we, the students, can do to make your life easier?
How kind of you to ask!  Why, yes.  You could be sure and put your name, date, title and page numbers on all your assignments.  I often have more than one class and up to thirty students at a time, with 1200 pages of reading to do, it helps if I know whose work belongs to whom.  Thank you for thinking of me!