Screenwriting instruction is different from all other types of instruction.

You can teach craft.
You cannot teach talent.

You can teach story structure.
You cannot teach execution.

And….
You can teach discipline.
You cannot teach success.

You give it everything you’ve got…
But when it comes to writing, there’s only so much you can do.
Some things just can’t be taught. 
Some things people have to discover for themselves.

That’s what the FreshEyes Seminar can provide.
Because sometimes, even teachers need a set of “fresh eyes” through which to view their students.

The FreshEyes Seminar will help instructors deliver one the best writing lessons to students: understanding themselves. 

By understanding themselves, you give students the first tool they need to learn what can’t be taught:  Do they have talent?  Can they execute?  Can they become successful at what they do?

Here’s the truth: very few of your students really know why they are in your class. They know they want to express themselves, and are struggling to find the right outlet. By helping them understand why they are writing, you can encourage them on how best to pursue one of the most difficult and unpredictable careers that exists – or if they should think about another career. Or if writing is serving some other need they have.

My approach is holistic one.  No, I don’t mean we light incense candles, join hands, and sway to New Age music.  What I mean is that I am the only author and instructor who can merge the lessons and experience of a challenging Hollywood career into the sanctity of the academic environment. 

My approach is about getting underneath craft.
It asks the though philosophical questions. 
It asks students to delve into their psychology. 
It pulls from the world’s religions. 
It provides writing exercises designed to work muscles students didn’t know they needed. 
It teaches teamwork. 
It teaches what constructive criticism is really all about.
It uses books you would never think to use in a class about writing.
It uses the best episodes from the best modern TV shows to illustrate lessons.
It not only quotes great TV writers, but details exactly what they mean.
It emphasizes the use of real-world tools to better one’s work.
It teaches the kind of deep, internal scene work that no other books provides.
It teaches the level of commitment a student must have to be a writer.
It provides practical exercises that appear to be about one thing, but turn out to be about another – such as how to survive the real world, not just Hollywood. 

The FreshEyes Seminar is a full day of workshops designed to fully introduce both you and your students to Inside the TV Writer’s Room: Practical Advice for Succeeding in Hollywood.  The seminar includes how students and instructors can get the most of the book and the unique cirriculum I’ve created especially for it.  In addition, we’ll use some of the tools the book provides to analyze true experiences from my own career, and analyze an entire episode of a television show, with the kind of commentary only a writer-producer can provide.

FreshEyes Instructor’s Workshop (2 hours)
The day’s first workshop is exclusively for instructors.  I will discuss how to optimize the use of Inside the TV Writer’s Room for your class.  Then I will provide you with a free copy of the Instructor’s Cirriculum, and take you through some of the more challenging exercises that are provided.  Most importantly, I’ll make you aware of the toughest lessons your students will need to learn, and how to avoid the pitfalls that all writing instructors may face.  We’ll end with a Q&A session, where there will be no limits on the topics.

FreshEyes Student Workshop (2 hours)
Now that you, the instructor, have heard how best to use the book, it’s time to see it in action.  The class will include a 30 minute lecture on writing -- getting underneath the craft as discussed above.  After a short break, I’ll teach a class using some of the exercises provided in the cirriculum.   Then we’ll move into a Q&A that focuses on how to be the best student of writing.

FreshEyes Keynote Speech (1 hour)
Best done during the lunch hour, I will speak on the state of Hollywood today.  I will cover up-to-the minute trends in media, what the studios are up to, what the latest earnings reports can tell us about how studios are thinking, and what it all means for anyone who wants to enter Hollywood today.  What are the best ways to break in?  What kind of opportunities exist?  What survival tips does one need to know about while trying to break in?  What’s the best way to network?  All the real-world things you and your students want to know will be answered.

FreshEyes Viewing & Commentary (2 hours)
I’ll provide an episode of one of the best television shows from the past twenty years.  We’ll watch it together as a group.  Then, we’ll watch it again – but this time I will provide a DVD-style commentary as we watch.  Unlike most useless DVD commentaries, however, I will not be focusing on amusing anecdotes that happened while the episode was in production.  I will provide commentary on writing, on story, on character, on theme – on everything a writer would want to hear about a truly great episode of television.  We’ll finish with a discussion and Q&A on exactly why this episode exemplifies great television.

How to Book The FreshEyes Seminar

The fee for the FreshEyes Seminar is $3,000.
For bookings in the Los Angeles area, please book at least two weeks in advance.
For booking outside the Los Angeles area, please book a month in advance.

To arrange a FreshEyes Seminar, please fill out this form.  Larry will usually reply within 24 hours.

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