MasterClass – Aaron Sorkin – Teaches Screenwriting

MasterClass: Aaron Sorkin – Teaches Screenwriting is a practical, story-first training that reveals how an Academy Award–winning writer approaches story structure, dialogue, character development, and the rewrite process. You’ll study real case studies, sit in on workshops, and watch a writers’ room break story step by step—so you can apply those principles in your own scripts. (Instructor credits include The West Wing and The Social Network.)

What You’ll Learn

• Story fundamentals: intention & obstacle, audience awareness, and the rules that make a story work.
• Structure & arc: how to shape a cinematic story from premise to final act with clear turning points.
• Character development: building compelling wants, conflicts, and decisions that drive scenes forward.
• Dialogue that moves: techniques for rhythm, subtext, conflict, and memorable exchanges.
• Scene craft: opening/ending scenes, transitions, sequencing, and momentum across a script.
• Research & authenticity: how to incorporate research to ground characters and plot.
• Rewriting with purpose: first-draft triage, responding to notes, and practical polish.
• Inside the room: observe a simulated writers’ room to learn collaborative story breaking.

Topics above reflect official lesson modules, including “Intention & Obstacle,” “Developing Characters,” “Rules of Story,” “Film Story Arc,” “Writing Scenes,” “Dialogue,” “Rewrites,” and “The West Wing Writers’ Room”.

How You’ll Learn

• Video lessons & case studies—including detailed breakdowns from Steve Jobs and The West Wing.
• Classroom workshops with student scripts to see problems solved in real time.
• Writers’ room simulation to watch a TV episode get “broken” beat by beat.
• Supplemental materials such as a downloadable workbook and sample scripts to reinforce each chapter.

Who This Course Is For

• Emerging screenwriters seeking a clear, professional framework for story, scenes, and dialogue.
• Working writers & filmmakers who want to sharpen structure, pacing, and collaboration skills.
• Novelists & journalists adapting material for the screen and learning cinematic storytelling.
• Any creative who wants practical, repeatable tools for compelling narrative.

Outcomes You Can Expect

• Design stronger premises with conflict baked in via intention vs. obstacle.
• Write scenes with purpose that escalate stakes and connect cleanly to the next beat.
• Craft memorable dialogue with subtext and pressure—without stalling the plot.
• Run revision passes using checklists that target structure, character, and clarity.

FAQs

Is prior screenwriting experience required?

No. The class is designed for a broad range of learners and covers fundamentals through advanced workshop insights.

How is the class structured?

Through instructor lectures, scene and dialogue case studies, group workshops, and a multi-part writers’ room that demonstrates collaborative story breaking for television.

What supporting materials are included?

MasterClass provides a helpful workbook and sample scripts to complement the videos, so you can practice and review key concepts.

Access the Course

Build the storytelling habits of a professional writer. Access the course now to study structure, dialogue, and rewrites—and see how a room breaks story from scratch.

Course Outline (Syllabus)

• Introduction
• Intention & Obstacle
• Story Ideas
• Developing Characters: Part 1
• Developing Characters: Part 2
• Research
• Incorporating Research
• The Audience
• Rules of Story
• Film Story Arc
• Writing Habits
• Group Workshop: Untitled by JJ Braider
• Group Workshop: E is for Edie by Jeanie Bergen
• Group Workshop: Chronic by Roland Zaleski
• Group Workshop: The Merc by Evelyn Yves
• Group Workshop: From Here to Alli by Corey Wright
• Writing Scenes: Part 1
• Writing Scenes: Part 2
• Scene Case Study: Steve Jobs
• Scene Case Study: The West Wing
• Writing Captivating Dialogue
• Dialogue Case Study: The West Wing
• Rewrites: First Draft
• Rewrites: Notes
• The West Wing Writers’ Room: Parts 1–8
• Group Workshop: Pitch Session
• Group Workshop: Aaron Pitches Mission to Mars
• Closing Thoughts

Downloadable Course Content