Screenwriting Masterclass
Discover the timeless architectural principles of visual storytelling.
This comprehensive module takes you from foundational theory to a finished draft.
Jaws Part 1
The Hollywood Paradigm (Part 1):
Jaws
An introduction to the three-act story structure,
from the Inciting Incident to the Climax, within
an action-driven story.
Watch Jaws on Amazon Prime.
Jaws Part 2
The Hollywood Paradigm (Part 2):
Jaws
An exploration of the crucial correlation between
plot and character in an action-driven story.
Watch Jaws on Amazon Prime.
Ready for Part 3?
Subscribe or send an email request to get early access to Thelma & Louise and be the first to know when new masterclasses drop.
The Hollywood Paradigm (Part 3):
Thelma & Louise
Deconstructing the character-driven story in which characters plot their own destiny. We analyze character structure—exploring characterization vs. deep character—and the codependency of plot on character.
Watch Thelma and Louise on Tubi (free).
Scene Structure & Analysis I:
The Graduate ("Ms. Robinson, are you trying to seduce me?")
A deep dive into scene structure (beats, dramatic arc,
and power shift), character analysis (conscious goal vs. unconscious desire, character arcs, characterization
vs. deep character), and the understanding of text
and subtext.
Watch The Graduate on Tubi (free)
Scene Structure & Analysis II:
Pariah "What if...?"
Advanced scene analysis focusing
on scene structure, character analysis,
and text and subtext.
Watch Pariah on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
The Functions of Dialogue:
Understanding what dialogue must accomplish—
fleshing out a character’s psychology, sociology,
and geography—and what it must avoid: delivering
the story verbally. We will explore critical concepts
such as text vs. subtext, speech patterns, and
the principle of “less is more.” Finally, we will study
different types of dialogue (on-the-nose, ping-pong,
and 180-degree).
Live Online Writing Workshop
A collaborative, hands-on workshop where you will
develop your character’s backstory and write a short
script. You will navigate the entire process—from
the initial story idea and premise, through the outline,
step-outline, and treatment, to the final draft—while mastering the industry-standard rules of screenplay formatting.
Ready to write your script?
Join the waitlist to receive an exclusive invitation when registration opens. Class sizes are intentionally kept small to ensure personalized feedback for every writer.
Additional Masterclasses:
Coming Soon
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Grammar of the Film Language
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Directing & Working With Actors
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Pre-Visualization
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Film Production
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Film Post-Production
Our Mission
Building upon our legacy of international, hands-on workshops, the Manhattan Film Academy has evolved to meet the future of cinematic education and bring our curriculum to a global online audience. Leveraging an AI-enhanced workflow, we have distilled the complete theory of filmmaking into a premium online platform. Complex cinematic grammar—from the 180-degree rule to narrative architecture—is now at your fingertips, vividly illustrated through on-demand, precision-crafted masterclasses.
We pair this rigorous theoretical foundation with exclusive live online workshops, connecting students from around the globe directly with the same caliber of master filmmakers who have always defined the MFA tradition.
Our Legacy
Past MFA workshops brought hands-on cinematic training to students across the globe: in New York City; Dubai; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. These intensive workshops were taught by: Agnieszka Holland, three-time Oscar-nominated writer-director (Europa Europa, In Darkness); Allan Starski, Oscar-winning production designer (Schindler's List); Sławomir Idziak, Oscar-nominated cinematographer (Black Hawk Down); Joe Pennella, cinematographer and director (TV's Monk); Ira Spiegel, Emmy-winning sound designer; Michael Cimino, Oscar-winning director (The Deer Hunter); Foster Hirsch, American author and film scholar; Ella Sloboda, actress and graduate of the Actors Studio Drama School in NYC; Robert Tutak, writer-director and MFA founder, and others.
