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Class > You Lost it in the Second Act? A Primer

This is an online class for moderate writers or writers wanting to brush up on their second act.

You Got Close To Page 60 But... In general, there are many reasons why you "Lost it in the Second Act." This class focuses on the major issues that arise. Here are just a few that will be covered:

  • Failure to outline your Dramatic Arc (This I cover in detail and show you where your script is going wrong and pinpoint early warning signs.)
  • No exit strategy for your Second Act (I will provide you with specific and proven strategies for properly setting up and getting through your second act.)
  • Overt awareness of screenplay structure (Seems like a simple thing but there are ways to manage your narrative and also increase tension and conflict without sacrificing tempo and beat.)
  • You took your eye off the ball (Doing more re-writing than writing? I'll help you avoid this with some helpful tips.)
  • Your desire to complete the story wanes (You lost the passion, why? We'll look at the dynamics of effective story selection and development.)


For four weeks you will study under the guidance of a professionally designed course to help you jumpstart your writing and hit the ground running so you can get past that Second Act slump. This is a "self-guided" course where you read and review the online lectures and handouts at your own pace..

Course Designer:
Chris Wehner an author and professional screenwriter. Currently his screenplay, EL CAMINO, is in pre-production. He recently optioned his latest script, THREESOME, to producer Ted Melfi and is scheduled to go into pre-production this year. He has worked in the field for over 10 years. He was recently Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Screenwriter's Monthly. His book, Screenwriting on the Internet: Researching, Writing & Selling Your Script on the Web was a Top Seller at The Writer's Store and his latest book "Who Wrote That Movie?" has received praise as well.

Course Format: Online Self-guided Course
Course Length: 4 week(s)
Course Certification?: Yes!, you receive a certification of successful completion!
Cost: $45
Text: Provided with tuition



Class Goals:

  • Reading (e-text), movie analysis, and some writing exercises
  • Lectures on fundamental concepts
  • Present work for critique

As the saying goes, “The Second Act is where good stories go to die.” In this excellent presentation take a step-by-step class that breaks down the pitfalls and obstacles facing every screenwriter as they enter that abyss known as the second act. In this class you will learn to identify the warning signs of second act trouble, learn new techniques in screenplay structure to help you avoid the second act pitfall, and how to develop an “exit” strategy for getting your story out of the second act without failure.


Do I need any special equipment to take an eClass?

The digital classroom Web site works with every common modern operating system. The best web browsers to use are:

  • Internet Explorer (IE) version 5+ for Windows 98+

  • Netscape version 7+ or Mozilla for MacOS X, Mac 9, and Linux

If you do not have the latest version of one of these browsers, you can just download it for free from these websites:


Do classes meet?

Classes don't meet in the traditional sense. You will participate online .

I work and can only log into the site at different hours?

Does not matter, the program will pick up where you left off, and you work at your own pace!

It's already into the month I wish to take the class, can I still take it?

Yes. You can start at any time.

Do I have to register to get into class?

Yes. You can start your registration process below
Did You Know?

The average payment to a feature writer or team in 2003 was $654,000. - Source Hollywood Reporter

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