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Genre Feature Screenwriting Classes


  • Plaza Theatre 1049 Ponce De Leon Avenue Northeast Atlanta, GA, 30306 United States (map)

TIME: 9:00am - 1:00pm
DATES: 3/16/24 & 3/17/24
LOCATION: Plaza Theatre

INSTRUCTORS: Ruckus & Lane Skye
PRICE: STANDARD REGISTRATION BOTH CLASSES: $120 NON MEMBERS — Now until March 16th (Day of first event)

Save $30 if you register by March 4th with discount code: BKKOGUAE2EM3FXA

ATLFS Member discounts applied at checkout

Unlock Your Screenwriting Potential: Master Genre Screenwriting with Ruckus and Lane Skye.

Are you ready to take your screenwriting to the next level? Have you written short films but feel overwhelmed by the prospect of a full-length feature? Have you completed feature-length scripts but aren't content with the results? These tailored classes are here to help.

In this two-part in-person workshop series, seasoned screenwriters Ruckus and Lane Skye give students the practical tools and techniques they need to develop and enhance their storytelling skills for writing feature-length genre films.

What students are saying:

It was AMAZING and insightful! Ruckus and Lane articulated the class clearly, and the information was invaluable!
Ruckus & Lane are excellent instructors and conveyed the information in a logical understandable, helpful, and interesting way!
Informative and practical, with no fluff. Wonderful teachers!

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from working writers with over a decade of professional screenwriting experience. Pick the class that's right for you, or save money by signing up for both together. Limited spots available – Register now and transform your screenwriting!

GENRE FEATURE SCREENWRITING 1: STRUCTURE

DATE: 3/16/24
TIME: 9:00am - 1:00pm
PRICE: STANDARD REGISTRATION SINGLE CLASS: $80 NON MEMBERS — Now until March 16th (Day of event)

Save $20 if you register by March 4th with discount code: U10XMZPE7F183QU

ATLFS Member discounts applied at checkout

Do you struggle with developing a feature-length narrative that builds to a satisfying ending? Then Genre Feature Screenwriting 1: Structure is the class for you! The focus is on building a solid story structure before you start typing the screenplay.

In this class, Ruckus and Lane walk students through their methods for breaking story, crafting characters, tracking character arcs, and creating set pieces. From initial idea to fully fleshed-out treatment, this class covers everything the Skyes do to get them from the first spark of an idea all the way to being ready to type "Fade in."

The class includes downloadable, real-world examples of documents from their own projects, including produced films they've written (Becky, The Devil To Pay, Rattle The Cage).

The session will include plenty of student participation and Q&A throughout.

Topics of discussion:

  • Concepting: Starting with plot or character


  • Theme: Using genre to explore ideas

  • Loglines: Using them as a north star


  • World Building: Creating an authentic playground for your characters


  • Note cards: The least painful rewrite

  • Character arcs: How your protagonist grows and changes


  • Plot: Crafting it through character

  • Pacing: Managing the flow of action

  • Set pieces: Use them to develop character and reveal inner truths

  • Endings: Building toward them so they surprise and satisfy

  • Treatments: A beat-by-beat overview of your entire story in prose form

If you want to strengthen your feature-length genre story structure skills, this class is for you!

GENRE FEATURE SCREENWRITING 2: SCENE WORK

DATE: 3/17/24
TIME: 9:00am - 1:00pm
PRICE: STANDARD REGISTRATION SINGLE CLASS: $80 NON MEMBERS — Now until March 17th (Day of event)

Save $20 if you register by March 4th with discount code: U10XMZPE7F183QU

ATLFS Member discounts applied at checkout

Do you want to make sure your descriptions pop, your dialog sparkles, and your word craft keeps the reader turning the page? Then Genre Feature Screenwriting 2: Scene Work is the class for you!

Ruckus and Lane walk students through the nitty-gritty detail of the words on the page, covering all the skills and tools you need to make it from the first scene to a complete draft ready to be read by collaborators.

The class includes downloadable, real-world examples of scenes and scripts from their own projects, including produced films they've written (Becky, The Devil To Pay, Rattle The Cage). Students will also watch scenes from those films for a script-to-screen comparison.

The session will include plenty of student participation and Q&A throughout.

Topics of discussion:

  • Approaching the scene: methodologies

  • Utilizing perspective


  • Building tension, turns, and reveals


  • Introducing characters

  • Crafting dialogue unique to each character


  • Adding subtext

  • Writing effective monologues


  • Visual story-telling without dialogue


  • Adding spice and drama to utilitarian or expository scenes

  • Writing beats that scare and thrill

  • Creating a consistent tone


  • Finding your own style on the page


  • Camera and actor direction on the page

If you want to strengthen your feature-length genre scene work skills, this class is for you!

ATLFS offers two scholarships for the Genre Screenwriting Classes, covering both classes. Please only apply if you are able to attend both classes. Scholarships cover 100% of the cost of registration. Please note that anyone in financial need may apply for the scholarship, but decisions are weighted toward underserved communities (i.e. Female Screenwriters, BIPOC Screenwriters, and Student Screenwriters).

Questions about theses classes? Ruckus and Lane will gladly answer them! Contact them at ruckusandlane@atlantafilmfestival.com

Refund request must be emailed to boxoffice@atlantafilmsociety.org 7 days prior to the date of event unless specified in the event description.