Class Date:
Thursdays, July 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st, August 7th and 14th
Class Time:
5:30-6:30pm
Class Size:
8-10
Age Group:
5th-8th Graders
Location:
PoWeR! Book Bags studio, 13606 S W Bay Shore Dr, Traverse City.
Do you love movies and dream of creating your own story for the big screen? Did you know that there are a few key secrets to the screenwriting world that could unlock any story? Did you know that nearly all movies follow a similar format, whether it’s Wicked or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Barbie or The Godfather? In this screenwriting class, students will learn the basics of writing scripts for film and television. From crafting compelling characters to building exciting plots, students will explore the essential elements of screenwriting, focusing mainly on story structure elements that will create a base for any student to bring their story to a script, and beyond.
My hope is to explore the main structure basics that every movie follows, and potentially bring in guest speakers with experience in film and TV. But also, I want to focus the class on what aspects of film and TV the students are actually interested in, and adapt the class as necessary.
Perfect for beginners, this course encourages young writers to express themselves and develop their storytelling skills in a fun, supportive environment. By the end of the class, students will have the foundation to write their own original scripts and the confidence to share their stories with the world!
All enrolled students will have the opportunity to publish work in the 2026 issue of the National Writers Series’ literary journal.
Chris Loud has several years of experience as a writer and producer for TV, film, and documentaries. In the narrative feature film world, Chris has helped produce films like the 2025 official Sundance selection Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake), as well as Quicksand, a multi-award-winning independent film that now airs on Amazon. Chris was also a consultant and associate producer on the award-winning short film, Created Sleep Transmissions. In TV, Chris has written and produced for the travel TV shows Third Coast, Coolest Places on Earth, State to State, and Great Escapes, as well as the true crime series Forensic Justice. Chris also writes and helps produce many of the short films created for The Boardman Review, and serves as the executive editor for the print publication.
National Writers Series
3301 Veterans Drive, Suite 214
Traverse City, MI 49684
EIN: 27-2470925
(231) 486-6868
[email protected]
2025
National Writers Series. All Rights Reserved.
