How to Write a Holiday Movie
Summary
Learn from a top Canadian screenwriter behind Hallmark, Lifetime, and Netflix holiday hits!
Get a downloadable Holiday Movie Logline Help & Christmas Movie Style Guide (Hallmark vs. Lifetime vs. Netflix) to Craft Your Own Script!
PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 webinar is now available to watch on-demand and no longer live.
Holiday movies are one of the most consistent and profitable genres in entertainment. Every year, Hallmark, Lifetime, Netflix, and countless other streamers release dozens of them — and audiences can’t get enough. These films deliver comfort, tradition, romance, and seasonal joy, making them a reliable source of ratings and viewership. For writers, that means opportunity. If you’ve ever dreamed of breaking into screenwriting or building a sustainable writing career, holiday movies are one of the most accessible and in-demand entry points in the industry. This exclusive Stage 32 webinar will show you how to crack the formula and make your script stand out in a space where producers are always looking for the next fresh holiday story!
Holiday movies often appear deceptively simple. Because they’re cozy, light, and predictable on the surface, many writers assume anyone can write one. But the formula is both rigid and demanding. Lean too far into the cliché and your script feels uninspired. Ignore the tropes and audiences won’t get the comfort they’re looking for. The key is knowing what makes these films universally beloved while adding originality and your personal voice. Writing for Hallmark requires safe, wholesome storytelling. For Netflix, your script should feel cinematic or offer a clever twist. For Lifetime, the stakes and emotions are slightly higher. Without this understanding, even the best-written script can miss the mark.
Your host Carley Smale is a Canadian screenwriter from Peterborough, Ontario, known for writing original holiday films such as Snowed Inn Christmas (Lifetime), Christmas Pen Pals (Lifetime), and Midnight at the Magnolia (Netflix). She graduated from Humber College, specializing in screenwriting, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Film and Media Production. Carley cites Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as the film that inspired her to write. She brings both professional experience and a passion for mentoring writers to this interactive webinar.
In this webinar, you’ll learn how to write commercially viable, original holiday scripts that appeal to major networks and streaming platforms. You’ll master key elements like hooks, romance, character journeys, and tropes, understand the nine-act holiday structure, and learn how to craft the perfect logline. By the end, you’ll walk away with the tools, insights, and practical exercises to write a script that producers can trust!
PLUS! You’ll get these helpful handouts:
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Holiday Movie Logline Guide
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Christmas Movie Style Guide (Hallmark vs. Lifetime vs. Netflix)
Feedback from attendees:
"Carley was excellent, very knowledgeable, and engaging. Learned a great deal. The moderator was great too. Looking forward to more sessions and hopefully Carley’s 8-week seminar."
"Appreciated Carley’s relaxed, approachable persona. She came across as relatable, confident, and experienced — someone they’d definitely want to take a seminar from for valuable feedback and advice."
What You'll Learn
THE OVERVIEW
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Why everyone loves holiday movies
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The big three players in holiday movies
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Length and act structure
THE KEY ELEMENTS TO WRITING HOLIDAY CONTENT
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Starting with the holiday hook
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Knowing your platform
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Building your protagonist’s journey
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Keeping the romance central
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Leaning into the tropes with a twist
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Ending with hope and romance
BREAKING DOWN THE NINE-ACT STRUCTURE FOR HOLIDAY MOVIES
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How it differs from traditional three-act structure
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Why commercial breaks shape the story
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Breakdown of Acts 1–9 including:
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Setup, meet cute, first connection
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Deepening bonds, midpoint fun, conflict
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The darkest moment, big gesture, resolution
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The importance of cliffhangers
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Crafting the perfect holiday logline
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Five key elements to crafting your holiday film that always work
Q&A with Carley
PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 webinar is now available to watch on-demand and no longer live.
Who Should Attend
- Writers of all levels who want to break into the holiday movie genre
- Screenwriters aiming to create commercially appealing and easy-to-produce scripts
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Creatives who want to understand the unique formulas behind Hallmark, Lifetime, and Netflix holiday films
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Writers looking to develop strong characters, romantic arcs, and emotional stakes
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Storytellers who want to learn how to structure a feature-length TV or streaming movie
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Anyone seeking personalized feedback and hands-on guidance in a small, interactive setting
Executive
Carley Smale is an acclaimed screenwriter and producer best known for writing the beloved holiday films Snowed Inn Christmas, Christmas Pen Pals, and the hit Netflix feature Midnight at the Magnolia. Her work has become a seasonal staple for audiences worldwide, celebrated for its heart, humor, and emotional authenticity.
In addition to her holiday favorites, Carley has developed and written projects across romance, drama, and family genres for major networks and streamers, including Hallmark and Lifetime. Her sharp sense of story structure and character-driven storytelling have made her a sought-after collaborator for producers and executives looking to develop audience-pleasing, high-concept features.
Carley is passionate about helping emerging writers understand the craft and business of screenwriting, particularly in the made-for-TV and streaming markets. She loves working with creators to elevate their scripts and bring meaningful, commercially viable stories to life.
Testimonials
Feedback from attendees:
"Carley was excellent, very knowledgeable, and engaging. Learned a great deal. The moderator was great too. Looking forward to more sessions and hopefully Carley’s 8-week seminar."
"Appreciated Carley’s relaxed, approachable persona. She came across as relatable, confident, and experienced — someone they’d definitely want to take a seminar from for valuable feedback and advice."
Credits
