Frequently Asked Questions
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Who are Scott Myers and Tom Benedek?
Scott Myers and Tom Benedek teach all classes and workshops, write all lectures, design all the classes for Screenwritingmasterclass.com. Scott and Tom met in a Writers Building on the Universal Studios back lot in 1987 where they had offices across the hall from each other and have been friends ever since.
We are professional screenwriters who have written film and TV projects for all the major Hollywood studios, independent production companies and TV networks sold spec scripts and pitches, worked on dozens of writing assignments, adapted books and set up original projects.
We are professional educators who know how to communicate with and mentor, taught writing courses and workshops at every level — from beginning screenwriting to advanced rewriting at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and UCLA.
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How do we teach?
For each class, we post a set of lectures, reading materials. Each course has discussion board forums where we post news, observations, analysis, and respond to writer questions plus live weekly Skype teleconferences.
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How large are the classes?
Providing intensive one-on-one feedback is the only way we know how to teach, so we set a limit on how many writers may enroll in each class to ensure that we have the time to give each writer thorough, informed comments on their script pages, assignments, writing exercises.
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How Do Your Online Classes Function? Is there live workshops discussion?
For all of our courses, we preside over regularly scheduled Skype (audio only) teleconferences where class members get an opportunity to interact with their instructor and fellow classmates, workshop material, discuss course content.
We use the Moodle Online Classroom web interface. Each class has its own online classroom site which is available to class members at all times. Lectures are posted there. Project work is presented there. Comments, Feedback, Questions are posted and responded to in specific sets of Forum Discussion Areas. Lectures and other Course Materials are available there for reading and downloading at all times.
When you sign up for a course, you gain access to the site the Sunday before the Monday start of the class, allowing you to familiarize yourself with the site, download the course syllabus, and meet your classmates. The site remains open for 30 days after the class ends, giving you the chance to download any lectures, notes, and comments you may not have accessed before.
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Do You Offer Private classes, coaching or comprehensive, long term courses of study?
We offer private versions of all our classes. We also have options for custom designed short term or in-depth work with us.
The Quest with Scott Myers offers a set of private tutorials – Core/Craft Courses to ground or reinforce basic knowledge of script writing
Prep Class – for developing a story idea or logline into a script outline/beat sheet
Pages I – to write the first draft
Pages II – to rewrite and polish the script
The Process with Tom Benedek offers a set of private tutorials with Tom Benedek accompanying a set of Custom-Designed Individualized Study Courses to ground or reinforce basic knowledge of script writing and 3 private workshops.
Prep Class – for developing a story idea or logline into a script outline/beat sheet
Pages I – to write the first draft
Pages II – to rewrite and polish the script
Please contact us at info@screenwritingmasterclass.com for further information.
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Will Your Courses Help Me Break In As A Screenwriter or TV Writer?
There are no guarantees in show business or the arts. There are, however, many opportunities. If a writer who takes any of our Screenwriting Master Class courses completes a great script, if that student wishes, we will pass it along with our recommendations to a specific group of managers and agents with whom we have on-going relationships.
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What is the Fine Print? The Terms & Conditions?
To receive a refund or credit, a student must withdraw by written notification emailed to Screenwritingmasterclass.com LLC
Refunds and credits are determined by the day that emailed notification is received. Failure to attend classes or notifying the instructor does not constitute official withdrawal. If you withdraw from a course at least two business days before the first class meeting, you are entitled to a full credit toward another Screenwritingmasterclass.com class valid for one year or a full refund less an administrative fee of $25.
If you withdraw from a course at least two business days before the second class meeting, you are entitled to a Screenwritingmasterclass.com credit toward another class (not a refund) of the amount you paid less a $25 fee and less a prorated amount for the first class meeting. Credits are valid for one year and can not be changed into refunds.
No refunds will be given one business day prior to the first class meeting or thereafter; no credits will be given one business day prior to the second class meeting or thereafter. Refunds take up to six weeks to process.
