Champion Lab

with Jim Mercurio

acting
Actors bring the writers’ scenes to life.

The Champion Lab is a three or four-day (your choice) interactive workshop in Los Angeles for the top 20 feature writers. Class size is limited and we assign the three-day attendees a half a day of homework, so we can hit the ground running.

The 2009 Grand Prize winner summed it up: "Jim’s DVD collection is first-class. The breadth of the script excerpts and film clips part of what makes the class so unique. You will watch a scene from Last Tango in Paris or On the Waterfront followed by a scene from SuperBad or Legally Blonde."

One of the most consistently-praised benefits of the class is the readings with the actors. Writers immediately have their own epiphanies about their dialogue but then they receive even more feedback. 2009 Shorts winner Susanna says, “Jim's greatest strength is his ability to analyze and dissect scenes at a molecular level.” Jim's background as a filmmaker will give you a brand new perspective on storytelling and screenwriting craft.

Topics Covered

Craft Topics
  • Concept
  • Dilemma
  • Killer Endings
  • Action Description
  • Exploiting Concept
  • Character Orchestration
  • Scene Writing
  • Hook
  • Character Arc
  • Dialogue
  • Essence of Climax
  • Theme at Dialogue
    & Action Description Level
  • Shurtleff's Guideposts
  • 14 Steps to a Better Scene
Career Topics
  • Different Paths
  • Loglines
  • Goals for your Script
  • Orchestrating Your Growth
  • Succeeding without Representation
  • Current Spec Market
    •
participants
Taking a break from their hard work are John, Bob, Sean Kanan, Jim Mercurio, Sharon, Tony, Susanna, and Giovanna (front)

This workshop experience will forever alter the way I approach screenwriting. Thank you, Jim!"—Mark Reinisch

I left (the Champion Lab) with a deeper understanding of my screenplay and how my script fits into the current Hollywood.....Jim's approach is not dogmatic.... There's plenty of room for questions, differing points of view and input from attendees. It's a thought-provoking, dynamic workshop guaranteed to push your creative boundaries.—Mark Penberthy

This was not just a class. It was a reconditioning of my creative mind. It was, for me, as well as the others who attended, a life changing experience."—Jill Wallace

The (Champion Lab) was fantastic. It helped fine tune our story and there is no doubt that we walked away with a much better script.—Geoff Elsner and Carson Griffis

"And his course is fun, fast-paced and seriously inspiring. I strongly recommend."—Tony Nichols

"Jim served the Hollywood approach to film, but also offered the potential to add more depth and resonance to every story. Jim's lab is deeply unified by a few simple principles that affect every level of a script.

"Jim's insights into direction, editing, cinematography, production design and editing were fascinating."—Kevin Miller

"No one takes you more in-depth. Never again will you waste a line of scene direction or dialogue. There is no doubt he'll take your craft to a higher level."—Alicia Lomas

"Jim Mercurio is a whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm, a bracing blast of insight into how to make every scene, every line of dialogue, every beat and every blade of grass serve your story.

"Seeing a movie — or better yet, your own script — through Jim's eyes is like playing a round of golf with Arnold Palmer. Moves you never imagined are revealed, and techniques you thought you knew cold are plumbed to greater depths.

"To truly appreciate Jim's enthusiasm and generosity you must experience it firsthand, which I wholeheartedly recommend."—John Dummer

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