“Act One is all you need to succeed in Hollywood as a writer. Don’t waste your time in a four-year screenwriting program. You can do it better and faster with Act One.”

 

We hear this a lot from alums about our writing program.

How are we uniquely distinctive?

1

Large Team

We draw from a large (amazing!) team of teachers who are also professional, working writers. They come off the lots, off the set, and out of the writers' rooms to teach you the basics (character, dialogue, formatting, structure) and more advanced topics. They share their industry “secrets” openly and are driven to make you the best writer you can be.
2

Values Driven

Our community of teachers, mentors, and writers are, in large part, professionals who hold Christian values and desire to see those instilled in their creative work, no matter what genre or storytelling arena. They offer a transparent and supportive environment in which to tell redemptive stories grounded in a Biblical worldview.
3

Concentrated Training

Our training is concentrated and extremely thorough. We incorporate a variety of teaching modalities--- lecture, video, writer panels and interviews, small groups, real-world writing exercises, and mentorships with professional working writers. We focus on getting you to mine great ideas, find your voice, develop memorable characters, and so much more.
4

Alumni Community

As an alumnus of Act One, we welcome you as part of a lifelong community of entertainment professionals. Act Oners are a close-knit group that continues to support and encourage each other in our professional creative journeys.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Over the 8-weeks, screenwriting basics (plot, character, dialogue, structure, world building, and more) will be taught via video courses, group Zoom sessions and one-on-one mentoring. The 8-weeks are structured like this:

  • -Video-based Lessons
  • -Weekly Live Zoom Classes
  • -Bi-Weekly One-on-one Mentoring via phone or Zoom
  • -Weekly writing assignments
  • -Weekly film viewing assignments
  • -Reading assignments (Screenplays, The Hollywood Standard, Making a Good Script Great, etc.)

COURSE DATES & TUITION

Course Dates

  • -June 10th-July 31st, 2025
  • -First day of classes begin on Tuesday, June 10th.

Application Deadlines

  • -Early Registration Deadline: April 1st
  • -Registration Deadline: May 1st
  • -Late Registration Deadline: June 1st

Application Fee: $50.00

Tuition Fee

  • -$1,100*
  • -(Applicants who apply by April 1st will receive $100 off tuition)

*Deposit of 50% of the tuition cost is required upon acceptance into the program to hold your spot. The remainder of the tuition balance MUST be paid before the first day of class.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

#1: Writing Sample of 5 pages (any narrative content)

#2: 2 Loglines (Original Ideas)

#3: Resume

#4: Statement of Faith: No more than 3 pages detailing the following: (1) Briefly describe your spiritual journey and your belief in Jesus Christ. (2) Why do you, as a Christian, want to write for movies or TV in Hollywood? (3) Cite examples of movies or TV shows that are most like what you aspire to write, and tell us why. (4) What are you hoping to learn at Act One? (5) What are your plans upon completion of the program?

SAMPLE SCHEDULESUBMIT APPLICATION
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Hollywood Writing Program Faculty

[Subject To Availability]

Dan Rupple

Dan Rupple

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Liz Suggs

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Dallas Jenkins

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Writer/Director

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Chris Easterly

Chris Easterly

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Craig Detweiler

Craig Detweiler

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Marilyn Atlas

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Shun Lee Fong

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Andrea Nasfell

Andrea Nasfell

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Nathan Scoggins

Nathan Scoggins

Writer/Director

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Melissa Glenn

Melissa Glenn

Writer/Producer

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Jacob Roman

Jacob Roman

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Christine Swanson

Christine Swanson

Writer/Director

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Cheryl McKay Price

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Screenwriter

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Scott Reynolds

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Writer/Producer

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Ryan Swanson

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Geoff Tock

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Karen Hall

Karen Hall

Screenwriter

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Ann Blanchard

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Agent, CAA

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Scott Teems

Scott Teems

Writer/Filmmaker

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Jim Krueger

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Author

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Greg Weidman

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Tyler Thompson

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Writer/Producer

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Jeremy Howe

Jeremy Howe

Writer/Producer

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Quinton Peeples

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Writer/Producer

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Dean Batali

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Writer/Producer

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Writer/Producer

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Barbara Nicolosi

Barbara Nicolosi

Screenwriter

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Brian Bird

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Writer/Producer

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Jennifer Irons

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Writer/Agent

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Sam Curphey

Sam Curphey

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Lauren Snowden

Lauren Snowden

Writer/Director

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Writer

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Monica Macer

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Writer/Producer

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Bill Marsilli

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Writer/Producer

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Caleb Brown

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Paul Guyot

Paul Guyot

Writer

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Zena Dell Lowe

Zena Dell Lowe

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Anthony Epling

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Michael Warren

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Bob Massey

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Bob Smiley

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Jessica Grasl

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Clare Sera

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