Write your faith-based feature film screenplay in 8 weeks while being mentored by a faith-based writer/director who has worked with Universal, Sony, Lionsgate and more!

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

Faith-based storytelling is having a major moment—and if you have an idea you’ve been carrying for a while, now is the time to bring it to the page. The audience for faith-based films is large, loyal, and growing, which is why studios and streamers are actively looking for compelling stories in this space. But success in this genre isn’t about delivering a sermon—it’s about telling a powerful, character-driven story that is authentic, thought-provoking, and emotionally resonant. If you want your faith-based feature to truly connect, the craft matters just as much as the message.

That’s where many writers struggle. You may know what you want to say, but translating that into a cinematic story can feel tricky. Writers often worry about being too preachy, too on-the-nose, or not “faith-forward” enough. Others get stuck on structure, character arcs, or how to organically explore themes of belief, doubt, redemption, and community without sacrificing momentum. Walking that fine line—where faith enhances the story instead of overpowering it—requires clarity, intention, and a deep understanding of how this genre works when it’s done well.

You’ll be guided through this process by award-winning filmmaker Nathan Scoggins, a seasoned writer, director, and producer with a proven track record in faith-based and inspirational storytelling. Nathan wrote and directed WHAT REMAINS, starring Cress Williams, Kellan Lutz, and the late Anne Heche, which premiered at the Austin Film Festival and received a nationwide theatrical release. His other credits include THE LEAST OF THESE (released by Universal), THE PERFECT SUMMER, RED LINE, and development work with top producers behind films like Wedding Crashers, Straight Outta Compton, and The Chosen. With experience across independent film, studio projects, and television for Sony Affirm, Nathan understands both the creative and industry realities of faith-based filmmaking.

Over 8 intensive, interactive sessions, you’ll move step by step from concept and pitch to outline and a completed first draft. You’ll explore the history and audience of faith-based films, build layered characters, shape meaningful themes, master structure across all three acts, and receive direct feedback—including one-on-one consultations—while being held accountable with weekly assignments. By the end of this lab, you won’t just understand how faith-based screenplays work—you’ll walk away with a finished feature-length script, vetted by a professional, and the confidence to move your story forward.

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 Nathan's Stage 32 Education

“Nathan’s sessions were entertaining and fun as he imparted such a great wealth of knowledge. They were also extremely practical. Nathan’s feedback was great as he enhanced our learning and understanding. He took us deeper into the whole process.” – Kevin H

"Thanks for a fabulous class again. You are so present for each student, and your feedback is not only encouraging but also insightful in terms of strengthening our stories.” – Martha C.

In this hands-on lab, you’ll learn how to take your story from concept to outline, and then how to take the project to a completed initial script, with a specific focus and emphasis on faith-based stories and storytelling.

PRE-CLASS PREP – Read your syllabus and identify 2-3 pitches/ideas that you want to develop in class that you will want to go on to write and direct.

Session 1 – Overview of Faith-Based/Inspirational Films

What is a faith-based film? What is the audience for these sorts of stories? Who are the players? What sorts of stories are they looking for? What makes some faith-based films work and others…not so much? We will discuss the history and types of films in this genre that work, and conclude with an initial pitch of a story you’d like to develop.

• The history of faith-based/inspirational films
• Types of faith-based films
• The faith-based/inspirational films that work and why
• The audience for faith-based films
• The players in the faith-based film world and what they’re looking for
• Q&A with Nathan

Assignment: Take one potential story, apply it to this week’s conversation about types of faith-based films, and prepare a rough pitch that you’ll present in class next week.

Session 2 – Basics of Storytelling / Character, Community and Theme

There’s no getting around it: story is still ultimately about character. We will work our way through the basics of cinematic storytelling with an emphasis on how these basics are applied in the faith-based/inspirational genre.

• Character wants/needs
• Goals/obstacles
• Internal/external growth
• How they connect to God/faith/community
• Thematic areas and statements – what do you want to say through these characters?
• Pitch ideas
• Q&A with Nathan

Assignment: Revise your pitch based on in-class suggestions, and use the hero questions handout to address core character wants/needs.

Session 3 – Story Structure

We will discuss the three core needs of your character, as well as how those needs connect to your characters in a faith-based/inspirational context. We will discuss how your story expresses/explores their needs and how to engage in storytelling that can present the audience with a compelling central spiritual question.

• Compelling questions / compelling themes
• 3 core needs of your characters / 3 core spiritual virtues
• Story structure: how do those needs and virtues express themselves in story events?
• How to effectively pitch your story
• Q&A with Nathan

Assignment: The 8 Essential story points; preparing to pitch.

Session 4: One-on-One Consultations

You will meet with Nathan one-on-one to pitch your project in a more organized fashion. He’ll give you feedback on what works and what doesn’t, and from there discuss how to attack the next four weeks.

Session 5: Act One: Pages 1-25

In this session we will review the key story points and elements that we need to hit in the first 25 pages, as well as discuss effective tips and tricks to set up the themes at the core of our story. (Hint: most scripts start too early!) We will do this in concrete ways, with Nathan offering constructive, concrete feedback on one script from our group.

• What are the essential story beats to hit in the first act?
• What are the most effective ways to introduce our main characters visually and dynamically?
• How effectively are we setting up story elements in the first act that will pay off in the third?
• How visual is our script?
• How is the dialogue – too slow, too much monologuing?
• Q&A with Nathan

Session 6: Act 2A: Pages 25-50

In this session we will review the key things to focus on in the first half of act two, paying attention to the story structure handouts that we’ve gone over and how effectively we are telling each story as part of our larger story. Again, we will do this in concrete ways, with Nathan offering constructive, concrete feedback on one script from the group.

• The plot thickens, but how goes the next 25 pages?
• Is our conflict steadily rising?
• Are our scenes getting more intense?
• Are we learning about our characters effectively?
• How much dialogue is there?
• Are we getting lost in extraneous characters?
• Q&A with Nathan

Session 7: Act 2B: Pages 50-75

The bad guys may be closing in, but so is our story fatigue. The only way out, however, is through. We are reaching the low point for our characters – but is their low point actually the correct low point? How does the character conflict adequately express/articulate the overall theme of the movie? Is the audience emotionally engaged in the story at this point, or is it just “stuff happening”? And what catharsis are we building towards? In this session we will review things to pay attention to as our characters hurtle towards their final resolutions, paying attention to both story and thematic elements that we can heighten our stories with. Again, we will use one script from class to break this all down in clear, concrete ways.

Session 8: Act 3: Pages 76-100

The weakest point in faith-based films are often the ending, which can give new meaning to the phrase “deus ex machina”. How can we earn our character’s redemption/realization? How does epiphany work in our script? What are noble virtues that our characters can either embody or reject that can force the audience to have to confront/wrestle with their own values/beliefs? In this final session, we will explore all of these issues, once again using pages from class to break it all down.

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 executive and 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 beginner and intermediate writers interested in writing a faith-based feature film.
• By the end of this 8-week lab, you will have a professional faith-based script.
• This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed lab with one-on-one time with the instructor and significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• You will be held accountable to take the lessons from each week and move your work forward.
• Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the length of the lab.
• **Nathan Scoggins will be available on email during the 8 sessions to answer any questions you have about your project.**

Payment plans are available - please contact edu@stage32.com for more information

• Writers who have an idea for a faith-based or inspirational feature film and are ready to commit to writing a full screenplay
• Filmmakers and writer-directors looking to better understand the faith-based audience, marketplace, and what studios and streamers are actively seeking
• Creatives who struggle with structure, theme, or integrating faith, spirituality, and community organically into their storytelling
• Storytellers interested in exploring big spiritual questions through compelling characters, conflict, and emotionally engaging narratives
• Writers who want to walk away with a completed draft of a faith-based feature screenplay, developed under the guidance of an experienced professional

Praise For Nathan's Stage 32 Education

“Nathan’s sessions were entertaining and fun as he imparted such a great wealth of knowledge. They were also extremely practical. Nathan’s feedback was great as he enhanced our learning and understanding. He took us deeper into the whole process.” – Kevin H

"Thanks for a fabulous class again. You are so present for each student, and your feedback is not only encouraging but also insightful in terms of strengthening our stories.” – Martha C.