This Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing For Television MasterClass review contains affiliate links, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking one of my links.
The third week of the Shonda Rhimes Writing For Television MasterClass was the best week so far. I’m less than half way through the entire course and yet I have already gained enough value to warrant the cost of investment. Week 3 of the Shonda Rhimes MasterClass was filled with the good stuff. Not only was the content and subject matter superb but there was A LOT of it.
Check out the syllabus for the third week alone:
- PITCHING YOUR SHOW: How to structure a pitch, focusing on character, how to paint a picture, on mentioning specific actors and music, making your pitch market friendly, practicing your pitch at double-time speed, practicing your pitch in front of friends, preparing a mental script when meeting with executives, analysing Shonda’s pitch for Grey’s Anatomy.
- WRITING A SCRIPT: STRUCTURE: The five acts of television, knowing how and when to end your acts, mapping out A, B, and C stories, knowing what the rules are before breaking them.
- WRITING A SCRIPT: PROCESS: Incubation periods before writing, how to write a beat sheet, how to develop an outline, how to use themes to shape your episodes.
Going into week three, I was massively looking forward to learning all about structuring a script. I LOVE those kinds of details. But I was prepared to skip over anything to do with pitching a show. After all, I don’t have a show yet… I don’t need to know how to pitch, right?
Wrong.
The module on pitching a show was perhaps the most useful part of the Shonda Rhimes MasterClass so far.
As Shonda says: “Pitching is probably the single most important thing that you can do once you’ve gotten in the door.”
Shonda’s advice on pitching is exceptional. It’s also especially important to anyone who naturally overlooks the value of pitching. Burn Shonda’s advice into your brain because it applies to everything. You’re always going to be pitching something. And what’s the use of having a fantastic story if you can’t sell it?
Shonda really holds our hands and tells us exactly how to structure the perfect pitch.
This part of the course really gets you excited because suddenly the magical world of Hollywood and big money film studio executives seems extremely attainable.
Armed with Shonda’s insider tips and tricks on how to pitch your show, along with armfuls of how to actually structure a wonderful and compelling story, you suddenly feel as though this whole writing thing is really for you.
THAT’S the sign of a great teacher.
Week 3 of Shonda Rhimes’ MasterClass is worth the cost of the course alone.
Once we’ve learned how to pitch, we get more hand holding (along with lots of charming anecdotes) from Shonda as she shows us how to structure our story.
She actually takes us page-by-page in the script and says “this is where X should happen because that leads into Y”.
I’ve already devoured tons of writing manuals so I feel like I know most of the story structure techniques out there. But something that I haven’t read a lot about are techniques for weaving multiple storylines together. Shonda addresses this beautifully, clearly, and in a way that makes sense and motivates.
After learning about structure, I personally got the most value from learning how to outline and write a beat sheet.
Granted, I’m not currently writing a television pilot but I am writing a novel. Recently I plateaued in my novel writing and had stretches of what most people would call “writer’s block” (though I don’t, like Shonda, really believe in it anymore).
Despite feeling unable to write, Shonda’s advice on beat sheets – in all its technical glory – was exactly what I needed to bust through my mental restraints. I finished my novel with a nice helping hand from Shonda Rhimes.
I’m now eagerly blasting through the fourth week of the MasterClass so I’ll update you when I’m done with that.
The great thing about MasterClass is you can take the course at your own pace. I really love being able to slip into a lesson when I have a free moment. I also love knowing that the course is there waiting for me whenever life gets in the way.
The Shonda Rhimes MasterClass, in addition to being thoroughly motivating, entertaining, and educational in the current moment, is a course that I will return to again and again. It’s clearly not meant to be watched once. It’s meant to be worked through and used whenever you need it.
If you haven’t enrolled in the Shonda Rhimes Writing For Television MasterClass yet, you can do so here.
Be sure to say “hi’ to me in the MasterClass Hub when you get inside!
P.S. Check out my reviews for the first two weeks of the Shonda Rhimes MasterClass here and here.
Was considering the Shonda Rhimes class. Am currently half way through the Aaron Sorkin course which I’m really enjoying. Googled and found your blog. Still on the fence as there are many other Master Classes I’m considering and not made of money. Lol. James Patterson and David Mamet to name a few. Thanks again.
Hi Chad – I agree that the Aaron Sorkin MasterClass really is great. And I can totally relate about not knowing which course to take. After all, they are pretty damn pricey (even though they’re worth it). At the moment I have my eye on the David Mamet MasterClass because he’s a writing hero of mine. But I can’t convince myself to spend on another course until I’ve actually completed the Shonda Rhimes one and I still have a little left on the Werner Herzog one.
To help you make a decision, I would say it all comes down to what your personal goals are. If you’re aiming for screenwriting, the Shonda Rhimes course will likely serve you better than the James Patterson one. But if you’re writing a novel, the James Patterson one seems a no-brainer. I took Patterson’s MasterClass myself and I really enjoyed it but most of it is aimed at almost complete beginners. It’s still super motivating for more advanced writers and he taught me a few things but I felt like I had more “a-ha!” moments in the Aaron Sorkin class.
Personally, I would go for the Mamet one. I don’t know what it’s like yet but it’s Mamet so it’s gotta be good, right? Although, if you’re more of a Shonda fan – more Grey’s Anatomy rather than The Newsroom – you should check out Shonda’s course.
Let me know what you decide 🙂 I’m insanely curious about the Mamet one so would love to hear back if you choose that one!
Hi Ben, can I please have you email address. I would love to hear about your Master Class with Shonda because I’m still contemplating about doing it.
Hi Abraham, pretty much all of my thoughts are in the posts I’ve made so far. I wouldn’t actually want to give out any more details than I already have because, with info-based content, that kinda feels like theft. If you’re still on the fence, I’d just say if you’re a beginner writer who is interested in screenwriting or you are a fan of Shonda’s writing in particular, I’d say go for it as long as it doesn’t break the bank (though there is a 30-day money back guarantee).
You provided some great info!. I am on the fence between purchasing Shondas course and Sorkins screenwriting course. I have been writing a story but Im not sure if I want it to be a book or a screenplay and I am struggling to finish it. Im leaning more towards writing a screenplay. Who do you think provided more useful and unique information and which course are you enjoying more?
Hi Zena,
It’s a really tough question because I took Sorkin’s MasterClass first. Both courses are quite similar in what they cover (although Shonda and Sorkin differ when it comes to characterisation) so I think I will always favour the one I experienced first.
Maybe if I had experienced Shonda’s course first, I would give preference to her. Either way, they are both fantastic and it’s very hard to rank them but, if you’re struggling to finish your story, I would suggest Sorkin because I was in a similar situation myself and Sorkin’s course was exactly the right boost I needed to finish my work. He was very motivating to me personally and his advice just clicked. A small example: Shonda loves character bibles and fleshing out her characters’ histories but Sorkin does absolutely none of that, which is an approach I found refreshing and extremely helpful.
As for enjoyment… Maybe Sorkin’s? But that was by virtue of the case studies used. I’m more into “The West Wing” than “Grey’s Anatomy” personally though both are great shows. It might help you decide if you pick the one who writes the sort of stories you like. Also, Sorkin’s class is more popular but I think a big reason for that is because it’s been out longer than Shonda’s.
I hope your story goes well. I’d love to know which course you choose and what you think of it 🙂 Hope that helps!