Private, Interactive Screenwriting Lab on Zoom! 

15 Spots Available - Only 5 Spots Remain!

Work one-on-one and get direct access to a top holiday movie screenwriter behind Netflix’s global #1 hit My Secret Santa—plus fan-favorite holiday films for Hallmark, Lifetime, and Netflix!

Get a step-by-step template to help you craft your own holiday movie idea

Payment plans are available at checkout or by emailing edu@stage32.com

Holiday movies are more popular than ever, from Netflix hits like Christmas at the Chateau, A Castle for Christmas, and The Noel Diary to Hallmark and Lifetime favorites like Christmas in Rome, Frozen in Love, and A Holiday Detour. These films are warm, funny, and overflowing with heart. They are the stories that audiences binge, rewatch, and share year after year. If you dream of writing for Hallmark, Lifetime, or streaming platforms, this exclusive Stage 32 lab is your chance to break in, showcase your voice, and create a holiday hit that audiences will adore.

Many writers struggle to turn a cozy holiday idea into a full, engaging screenplay. Flat characters, weak structure, and clichés can stall your story before it even starts. In this interactive lab, you will master the essentials: strong character wants, sharp comedic timing, emotional payoffs, and those unforgettable moments that make viewers feel all the holiday magic.

Your Stage 32 educator, Carley Smale—writer and executive producer of the 2025 Netflix original film My Secret Santa, which debuted as the #1 movie globally on Netflix with 27.8M hours watched in its first week and over 52M hours viewed in the Global Top 10—will guide you every step of the way. Carley has also written beloved holiday films including Snowed Inn Christmas (Lifetime), Christmas Pen Pals (Lifetime), and Midnight at the Magnolia (Netflix). With her insider knowledge and years of experience writing for networks and streamers, she’ll help you craft a story that’s both commercially viable and emotionally authentic.

By the end of eight sessions, you will walk away with a polished first draft of your very own holiday movie, plus the confidence and tools to share it with executives, streaming platforms, and audiences eager for your next holiday favorite!

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 Carley's Teachings with Stage 32:

"Carley was excellent, very knowledgeable, and engaging." -former lab student

Session #1 – The Foundations Of Feature Film/TV Movies

• Course Overview And Expectations

• Understanding Different Types Of Screenplays

• Key Elements Of A Screenplay

• What Makes A Great Main Character? What Do They Want?

• Breakdown Of The 9-Act Structure

• Share Christmas Pen Pals Outline

• Understanding Loglines

• Crafting A Snappy, Compelling Title

• Q and A with Carley

Assignment:

1. Watch Christmas Pen Pals (link provided)

2. Develop A Logline

3. Create An Outline (Point Form Is Fine), Focusing On Key Plot Points And Characters

Session #2 – Act 1: The Meet-Cute, Set-Up, Conflict, And Character Wants

• Quick Table Read Of The First Half Of Act One (Christmas Pen Pals)

• Understanding Key Elements Of Act One

• Crafting A Memorable Meet-Cute And Opening That Sets The Tone

• Creating Distinct, Relatable Characters With Chemistry

• Setting Up The Central Conflict And Obstacles To Love

• Building Emotional Stakes To Engage The Audience

• Writing Distinct Voices Through Dialogue

• Establishing Tone, Theme, Setting, And World-Building

• Highlighting The Emotional Journey For Both Leads

• Q and A with Carley

Assignment:

1. Re-Watch The First Act Of Christmas Pen Pals

2. Watch The First Act Of Snowed Inn Christmas (link provided)

3. Revise Your Outline As Needed

4. Write The First Half Of Act One (10–12 Pages)

   • Focus On A Fun, Snappy, Christmasy Opening

   • Establish Main Characters

   • Set Up The Romantic Conflict

Session #3 – Finishing Act One, Moving Into Act Two

• Side-By-Side Breakdown Of Act One (Snowed Inn Christmas & Christmas Pen Pals): Why They Work

• Watch Act Two Of Both Films

• Heightening Romantic Tension And Stakes

• Plotting Rising Action: Near-Misses, Misunderstandings, And Romantic Mishaps

• Deepening Character Arcs And Emotional Resonance

• Maintaining Fun While Delivering On The Story’s Promise

• Importance Of Supporting Characters And Subplots

• Q and A with Carley

Assignment:

1. Watch My Secret Santa (Netflix, premieres December 3rd)

2. Finish Writing Act One (Week Of November 24th)

3. Write Act Two (12–15 Pages, Week Of December 1st), Focusing On Character Development And Escalating Romance

Session #4 – You Are Halfway To Finishing Your Script

• Raising The Stakes: Misunderstandings, Secrets, And Surprise Reveals

• Crafting Set Pieces That Blend Humor And Emotional Depth

• Avoiding Clichés While Meeting Genre Expectations

• Understanding What Makes A Script Commercial And Industry Implications

• What Executives Look For In A Good Story

• Q and A with Carley

Assignment:

1. Ensure Acts One And Two Are Complete

2. Write Act Three (Approximately 10 Pages)

Session #5 – Individual Consultations (Consultation #1)

• Submit Your Material For A One-On-One Consultation

• Review Progress, Address Challenges, And Refine The First Half Of Your Script

• Analyze Act Three And Act Four, Focusing On The Midpoint And Stakes

• Q and A with Carley

Assignment:

• Write Acts Four, Five, And Six (10 Pages Per Act)

Session #6 – Building To The Climax

• Develop Character Arcs And Antagonistic Plot Turns

• Build To The Climax: Stakes, Reveals, And Set Pieces

• Craft The Break-Up Or Darkest Moment

• Resolve Subplots And Character Arcs

• Q and A with Carley

Assignment:

• Write Acts Seven And Eight

Session #7 – Act Nine: Sticking The Landing & Wrap-Up

• Deliver Surprising And Satisfying Final Turns And Resolutions

• Achieve The Emotional Payoff With Love Declarations And Grand Gestures

• Finalize Character Arcs And Tie Up Loose Ends

• Polish Dialogue, Character Depth, And Pacing

• Ensure Producibility

• Q and A with Carley And Final Advice For Next Steps

Assignment:

• Write Act Nine (7–8 Pages) And Celebrate! Ensure Character Arcs Are Resolved And The Central Plot Concludes

Session #8 – Final Consultation

• Submit Your Completed Draft For One-On-One Review

• Evaluate The Shape And Potential Of Your Script

• Discuss What Works, What Doesn’t, And Your Overall Satisfaction With The Story

• Q and A with Carley

Assignment:

• Incorporate Feedback, Revise Your Script, And Celebrate Your Accomplishment

WHAT TO EXPECT:

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 lab is designed for writers of all levels, as well as directors and producers, who want to learn how to craft, structure, and complete a heartfelt, industry-ready holiday movie screenplay.

• 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 of all levels who want to break into the holiday movie genre

• Screenwriters aiming to create commercially appealing and easy-to-produce scripts

• Creatives who want to understand the unique formulas behind Hallmark, Lifetime, and Netflix holiday films

• Writers looking to develop strong characters, romantic arcs, and emotional stakes

• Storytellers who want to learn how to structure a feature-length TV or streaming movie

• Anyone seeking personalized feedback and hands-on guidance in a small, interactive setting

Praise for Carley's Teachings with Stage 32:

"Carley was excellent, very knowledgeable, and engaging." -former lab student