Private, interactive lab on Zoom hosted by an accomplished Creative Executive and Producer who worked on THE MARTIAN, BLADE RUNNER 2049, and ALIEN: COVENANT!

Develop your sci-fi, fantasy, or magical realism feature or pilot from concept to completed first draft in just 8 weeks

Only 10 spots available - 3 Spots Remain!

Payment plans available at checkout or email edu@stage32.com for more info!

Science fiction and fantasy are two of the most exciting and expansive genres in film and television today. From epic space adventures and futuristic thrillers to magical worlds and grounded speculative dramas, these genres let writers explore big ideas about humanity, morality, technology, and the unknown — all while grounding fantastical concepts in emotionally rich, character-driven storytelling, often called “elevated genre.” Studios, streamers, and independent producers are always looking for bold new voices, but turning a great idea into a compelling script takes more than imagination. It requires a strong story foundation, layered characters, and immersive worlds. In Allison Margaret Reid’s Elevated Genre Lab, you’ll leave with a completed first draft and the practical tools to craft powerful, emotionally resonant genre stories that capture both the imagination of audiences and the attention of industry professionals.

Many writers struggle when tackling sci-fi or fantasy because they focus too heavily on world building or mythology while neglecting character and story. Others create elaborate universes  but struggle to introduce them clearly to the audience, resulting in scripts that feel confusing or  overly complex. Balancing imaginative concepts with accessible storytelling is one of the  greatest challenges of genre writing. In this eight-week lab, you will learn how to harness your  imagination while grounding your story in strong structure, character arcs, and emotional  stakes. Through lectures, weekly writing assignments, and one-on-one consultations, you will  develop your sci-fi or fantasy feature screenplay or television pilot from concept to completed  first draft. You’ll also gain insight into how genre projects are evaluated by producers,  development executives, and financiers in today’s marketplace.

Guiding you through this process is producer and development executive Allison Margaret Reid. Allison served as Director of Development at Ridley Scott’s production company, Scott Free, where she worked on major films including THE MARTIAN, BLADE RUNNER 2049, and ALIEN: COVENANT. She is also the Associate Producer of the independent film JUNGLELAND, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, and previously worked at Focus Features and Universal Pictures on films such as BRIDESMAIDS, WANDERLUST, and SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN. With experience developing studio films, independent projects, and working directly with writers, Allison understands exactly what producers, executives, and financiers look for when evaluating genre scripts.

Over the course of eight weeks, you will develop your sci-fi, fantasy, or magical realism screenplay or television pilot from concept to a completed first draft. You’ll explore the foundations of elevated genre, build immersive worlds with clear rules and internal logic, craft compelling protagonists and inciting incidents, and structure your story through Acts I, II, and III. Through lectures, writing assignments, and one-on-one consultations, you’ll refine your story, strengthen your character arcs, and learn how to position your script for the marketplace. By the end of this lab, you will walk away with a completed first draft and the tools to create powerful, emotionally resonant genre stories that capture both imagination and industry attention.

This interactive Stage 32 lab is held on Zoom and goes substantially more in depth than a Stage 32 webinar. Best of all? As soon as you sign up you will be linked on email with your Stage 32 Educator and given a questionnaire to fill out and send back to them. You will have access to your Educator for the duration of your class by email to ask them any questions you have about your craft or career - it’s like having a mentor on demand! And, if you can't make a live session, don't worry! All class recordings will be available 48 hours after each session and you will be able to view them in your Library on your Stage 32 profile. Finally, you can expand your network with like-minded creatives - you'll have a dedicated lounge for interactive support and discussions with your fellow classmates!

Praise for Allison's Education:

“I liked hearing about the presenter’s experiences with writing and with production.”  -  Anjetta M.

“Allison's presentation style was clear and measured so I had time to write pages of notes. She is knowledgeable about her subject and provided excellent information. It was worth getting up at 5am to listen live, and she graciously answered my questions. I enjoyed the webinar immensely. Thank you!”  - Ingrid S.

"Loved the talk on the hows and whys writers become producers. I love too the base knowledge you need to make that first step." -Cynna

"Allison is amazing, and knows her stuff" -Stephanie

Session #1— The Foundations of Elevated Genre

• Understanding the core differences between science fiction and fantasy storytelling • Exploring different subgenres (space opera, speculative sci-fi, dystopian, urban fantasy, epic  fantasy, magical realism, etc.) 

• What industry professionals look for in genre scripts 

• Theme and big ideas: what question does your story explore? 

• World-building fundamentals: rules, limitations, and internal logic 

• Q and A with Allison

Assignment: Develop your concept. Write a logline, a one-paragraph premise, and a short  description of your world and main characters. 

Session #2— Act 1: The Inciting Incident

• How to introduce your world without overwhelming exposition 

• Establishing tone, stakes, and the rules of the universe 

• Creating a compelling protagonist with a strong emotional journey 

• Crafting an effective inciting incident that launches the story 

• Strategies for revealing world-building organically through character and conflict

• Q and A with Allison

Assignment: Revise your outline. Draft your first 20-30 pages, focusing on set-up, establishing  your characters, and honing your inciting incident. 

Session #3 — Individual Consultations (Consultation #1)

• Submit your outline & first 30 pages for one-on-one feedback in a consultation • We will evaluate your story structure, world clarity, and character arcs 

• We’ll review your progress, address challenges, and refine your script’s first act 

Assignment: Make sure you’ve started working on the next 15 pages of your script, writing to at  least 45 pages by the end of the week. 

Session #4 — Act II, Part 1: The Promise of the Premise

• Raising the stakes as your protagonist navigates the world 

• Designing obstacles unique to your genre 

• Using mystery, discovery, and conflict to propel the story 

• Crafting a powerful midpoint that shifts the direction of the narrative 

• Supporting characters, allies, and antagonists in genre storytelling 

• Q and A with Allison

Assignment: Write 20-30 additional pages, building to your midpoint. 

Session #5 — Act II, Part 2: The Midpoint

• Escalating danger, mystery, and stakes 

• Reveals, reversals, and complications 

• Exploring the thematic questions at the heart of your story 

• Balancing spectacle with emotional stakes 

• Avoiding common genre pitfalls and clichés 

• Q and A with Allison

Assignment: Continue writing to reach 60–75 pages. 

Session #6 — Act III: Sticking the Landing

• Building to the final confrontation 

• Paying off set-ups from earlier in the script 

• Delivering a satisfying climax 

• Completing character arcs and resolving thematic questions 

• Designing an ending that resonates with audiences 

• Q and A with Allison

Assignment: Write 75–100 pages, bringing your story into Act III. 

Session #7 — Final Consultations (Consultation #2)

1-on-1 Meetings Set for the Week of 5/25/26 

• Submit your script for 1-on-1 review

• Strengths and opportunities for revision 

How to improve clarity and pacing 

Positioning your script for industry readers 

Next steps for rewriting, pitching, and submitting your script 

Assignment: Write your final 10-15 pages and celebrate — your first draft is complete! Make  sure to resolve character arcs and conclude the central plot. 

Session #8 — Wrap Up & Next Steps

Sunday 5/31 from 11am-1pm 

• Crafting the resolution and tying up subplots 

• Delivering an emotionally satisfying ending 

• Strengthening dialogue, pacing, and clarity 

• Polishing your world-building for readability 

• Producibility and positioning your genre script in the marketplace 

Assignment: Incorporate feedback, revise your script, and celebrate your accomplishment!

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 lab will be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with an expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.

• This is an intimate, in-depth, practical, and detailed class held on Zoom where you will be interacting with your instructor.

• This class consists of 8 sessions roughly two hours in duration and offers significantly more in-depth content than a standard Stage 32 webinar.

• ***Your instructor will be available on email during the entire duration of the lab to answer any questions you have about your project.***

• To stay motivated and inspired you will have access to a dedicated Stage 32 Lounge post where you can meet, connect and communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the length of the class and beyond. Let Stage 32 help you find your tribe!

• Can't make it live? Don't worry, each session will be recorded and you can watch it on demand at your convenience. 

• You will be held accountable to take the lessons from each week and move your work forward.

• Payment plans are available at checkout through Shop Pay

• Writers who want to develop a sci-fi, fantasy, or magical realism feature screenplay or television pilot
• Screenwriters looking to learn how to balance world-building with strong character and story structure
• Creatives who have a genre concept but need guidance turning it into a fully developed script
• Writers struggling to clearly introduce complex worlds, mythology, or speculative elements to an audience
• Screenwriters who want to understand how producers and development executives evaluate genre scripts in today’s marketplace
• Writers interested in learning how to craft elevated genre stories that combine big ideas with emotional, character-driven storytelling

Praise for Allison's Education:

“I liked hearing about the presenter’s experiences with writing and with production.”  -  Anjetta M.

“Allison's presentation style was clear and measured so I had time to write pages of notes. She is knowledgeable about her subject and provided excellent information. It was worth getting up at 5am to listen live, and she graciously answered my questions. I enjoyed the webinar immensely. Thank you!”  - Ingrid S.

"Loved the talk on the hows and whys writers become producers. I love too the base knowledge you need to make that first step." -Cynna

"Allison is amazing, and knows her stuff" -Stephanie