Write a CHRISTMAS MOVIE - Holiday Screenwriting from Udemy

Are you ready to turn your holiday spirit into a heartfelt screenplay? This on-demand course will teach you how to craft a captivating Christmas movie that audiences will love. Whether you dream of writing for Hallmark, Netflix, or creating your own unique holiday classic, this course is your guide to success.

Perfect for new screenwriters, this course covers every step of the process. You’ll dive into the structure of Christmas movies with examples from A Christmas Story, Elf, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, and Joran's cult classic Christmas comedy, Christmas Staycation. Unpack the secret formula behind the charm and universal appeal of Holiday movies. Learn how to develop relatable characters, craft witty dialogue, and infuse your script with the themes of love, family, and joy that define the holiday season.

Through bite-sized lessons and practical exercises, you’ll:

Write the major beats of a Christmas movie, including the “inciting incident,” “midpoint,” and the inevitable heartwarming resolution.
Learn how to Write a Movie and master screenwriting software.
Learn how to pitch your script to networks and producers.

By the end of this course and by writing your story as you take these lessons,, you’ll have a complete Christmas movie script ready for submission. No prior screenwriting experience is necessary; this course provides all the tools and inspiration you need to succeed.

So, grab your hot cocoa, light up your imagination, and join Jordan Imiola on this festive journey to create a story that warms hearts and spreads holiday cheer. Your Christmas movie masterpiece starts here.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Screenwriting from a professional screenwriter who’s written over 40 movies, has over 25 imdb credits, and has sold and produced screenplays.
Study the story structure of films such as a christmas story, home alone, elf, national lampoon's christmas vacationa and more!
Develop a compelling premise and craft a unique and engaging concept that balances christmas magic with personal stakes and relatable themes.
Learn the essential components of a christmas movie, including the three-act structure and holiday tropes.
Create memorable protagonists and supporting characters that drive the story and resonate with audiences.

Weave core holiday themes—family, love, redemption, and joy—seamlessly into the narrative.
Learn techniques for revising your script and pitching it effectively to producers or executives.
Leave the course with a finished, professionally structured script ready for submission or production.
Scriptwriting, filmmaking, and creative writing plans of attack to meet your deadlines.

Screenwriting from a professional screenwriter who’s written over 40 movies, has over 25 imdb credits, and has sold and produced screenplays.
Study the story structure of films such as a christmas story, home alone, elf, national lampoon's christmas vacationa and more!
Develop a compelling premise and craft a unique and engaging concept that balances christmas magic with personal stakes and relatable themes.
Learn the essential components of a christmas movie, including the three-act structure and holiday tropes.
Create memorable protagonists and supporting characters that drive the story and resonate with audiences.
Weave core holiday themes—family, love, redemption, and joy—seamlessly into the narrative.
Learn techniques for revising your script and pitching it effectively to producers or executives.
Leave the course with a finished, professionally structured script ready for submission or production.
Scriptwriting, filmmaking, and creative writing plans of attack to meet your deadlines.

Syllabus

Introduction

Table Read part 1

Write a Christmas Movie Act 1

Write a Christmas Movie - Act 1

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a practical approach to screenwriting, which is ideal for beginners looking to break into the industry and create their own holiday classics

Offers insights into the structure of successful Christmas movies, which can help writers understand the genre's conventions and create engaging stories

Covers pitching techniques, which is essential for getting scripts noticed by producers and executives in the competitive film industry

Requires learners to use screenwriting software, which may require a purchase or subscription that some learners may not be able to afford

Taught by a screenwriter with numerous IMDb credits, which suggests practical, real-world experience in the film industry

Reviews summary

Write a festive movie script

According to learners, this course is a fun and effective guide to writing a Christmas movie, especially for beginners. It offers a clear, step-by-step approach to structure using examples from popular holiday films, helping students understand the "secret formula" of the genre. The course provides practical advice on formatting and pitching. While praised for its accessibility and genre focus, some felt it was too basic for experienced writers and the pitching section could be more detailed.

Instructor's passion is motivating.

"Jordan's energy for Christmas movies is infectious!"

"The instructor is clearly passionate and knowledgeable."

"His advice feels practical and encouraging."

"Really enjoyed the instructor's style and expertise."

Tips on formatting and pitching.

"Learning how to format a screenplay was crucial."

"The tips on pitching gave me ideas on what to do next."

"Getting advice on getting produced was a bonus."

"Learned how to use screenwriting software effectively."

Accessible for those new to screenwriting.

"As a complete beginner, this course didn't overwhelm me."

"No prior screenwriting experience was necessary, just like they said."

"The bite-sized lessons made it easy to follow along."

"It covered all the basics I needed to get started."

Practical guidance on 3-act structure.

"The step-by-step process for Acts 1, 2, and 3 was very clear."

"I finally understood how to structure a feature-length story."

"Writing beats like the inciting incident and midpoint was made easy."

"This course provides a solid framework to follow."

Deep dive into holiday movie specifics.

"I really appreciated how the course focused *specifically* on Christmas movies."

"Breaking down films like Elf and Home Alone helped me understand the holiday structure."

"It's great to have a course just for this niche genre I love."

"Learned the secret formula behind the charm of holiday movies."

Pitching part could be more detailed.

"The section on pitching was a bit short for my liking."

"Wanted more specifics on finding producers or networks."

"Could use more current info on pitching platforms."

"The advice on getting produced felt a little general."

May not be for advanced writers.

"If you already know screenwriting basics, parts might be too simple."

"I wished there was more advanced character development theory."

"Felt like it was mostly for absolute novices."

"Didn't go deep into complex subplotting."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Write a CHRISTMAS MOVIE - Holiday Screenwriting with these activities:

Review 'Save the Cat! Writes a Novel'

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Learn how to structure a compelling narrative using the 'Save the Cat' method, which is directly applicable to screenwriting.

View Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel: The... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on the key story beats.
Apply the 'Save the Cat' beat sheet to a Christmas movie you enjoy.
Outline your own Christmas movie idea using the beat sheet.

Review classic Christmas movie tropes

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Familiarize yourself with common Christmas movie tropes to better understand the genre's conventions and how to subvert them effectively.

Browse courses on Storytelling

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Create a list of common Christmas movie tropes.
Watch several Christmas movies and identify the tropes used.
Consider how you might use or subvert these tropes in your own script.

Develop a Christmas Movie Pitch Deck

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Create a pitch deck for your Christmas movie idea to practice presenting your concept in a compelling and professional manner.

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Outline the key elements of your Christmas movie story.
Design a visually appealing pitch deck with key information.
Practice pitching your movie to friends or family.

Four other activities

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Write a scene with witty dialogue

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Practice writing witty dialogue, a key element of successful Christmas movies, to enhance your screenwriting skills.

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Brainstorm a scenario for a humorous Christmas movie scene.
Write the scene, focusing on sharp and funny dialogue.
Get feedback on your dialogue from peers or mentors.

Review 'The Screenwriter's Bible'

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Deepen your understanding of screenwriting fundamentals and industry standards by studying a comprehensive guide.

View Dr. Format Tells All, 4th Edition on Amazon

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Read the sections on screenplay formatting and structure.
Refer to the book when formatting your Christmas movie script.
Use the book's advice on marketing your script after completing the course.

Create a logline for your Christmas movie

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Craft a compelling logline for your Christmas movie to effectively communicate the core concept and hook potential producers.

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Identify the central conflict and protagonist of your story.
Write several versions of your logline, refining it each time.
Get feedback on your logline from others and revise accordingly.

Table Read and Feedback Session

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Organize a table read of your Christmas movie script with peers to receive constructive feedback and identify areas for improvement.

Show steps

Recruit fellow writers or actors to participate in a table read.
Distribute the script in advance and assign roles.
Facilitate the table read and encourage constructive feedback.
Incorporate the feedback into your script revisions.

Career center

Learners who complete Write a CHRISTMAS MOVIE - Holiday Screenwriting will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Screenwriter

A career as a screenwriter involves crafting original stories and adapting existing ones into scripts for film and television. This often includes developing compelling characters, writing dialogue, and structuring narratives that resonate with audiences. The course provides a streamlined approach to writing a Christmas movie, focusing on structure, character development, and thematic elements, which helps hone these fundamental screenwriting skills. The course’s emphasis on industry-standard practices and pitching techniques can further prepare aspiring screenwriters to navigate the professional landscape and increases their chances of getting their work noticed. If you want to become a screenwriter, this is a particularly useful place to begin.

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Television Writer

Television writers create scripts for episodic shows, often working collaboratively in a writers' room to develop story arcs and individual episode plots. This involves brainstorming ideas, outlining scenes, and writing dialogue that fits the show's established tone and style. The course offers invaluable insights into structuring narratives and infusing scripts with thematic depth, essential skills for television writing. Furthermore, the course’s focus on Christmas movie tropes and audience appeal directly translates to creating engaging and heartwarming television content, helping aspiring television writers to thrive in the industry. This is excellent preparation if you aspire to become a television writer.

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Story Editor

Story editors work with writers to develop and refine their scripts, providing feedback on plot, character development, and dialogue. The course helps aspiring story editors understand the nuances of storytelling and narrative structure. Further, the course's emphasis on holiday themes and emotional resonance equips an editor with the ability to help writers enhance the heartwarming appeal of their stories. If you want to become a story editor, this is an excellent first step.

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Script Reader

Script readers evaluate screenplays and provide feedback to producers, agents, and studios. This involves assessing the script's structure, characters, dialogue, and overall marketability. The course helps develop a critical eye for storytelling and structural elements, enabling aspiring script readers to analyze screenplays effectively. Furthermore, the course's insights into Christmas movie formulas and audience expectations can greatly enhance their ability to identify promising scripts and provide valuable recommendations. Taking this course is a great way to learn how to be a script reader.

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Independent Filmmaker

Independent filmmakers work outside the mainstream studio system to create their own films. Often, they handle multiple roles including writing, directing, and producing. This course may be useful, as it provides a solid foundation in screenwriting specifically for the Christmas movie genre. The course’s focus on structure will enable independent filmmakers to craft compelling stories. In addition, the course’s emphasis on pitching may assist with fundraising and distribution efforts.

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Film Director

Film directors are responsible for overseeing the creative aspects of a film production, from pre-production to post-production. They collaborate with writers, actors, and other crew members to bring a script to life, ensuring that the final product aligns with their vision. While this course focuses on the screenwriting aspect, the principles of storytelling, character development, and thematic resonance are highly relevant to directing. Understanding the structure of a Christmas movie, as taught in the course, also helps a film director effectively communicate their vision and bring a cohesive narrative to the screen. Directing and screenwriting go hand in hand.

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Content Creator

Content creators produce engaging material for various digital platforms, including video, blogs, and social media. This often involves storytelling, scriptwriting, and understanding audience preferences. The course's focus on crafting captivating Christmas movies provides valuable experience in developing compelling narratives and resonating with viewers. Additionally, the course’s insights into holiday themes and emotional connections enhance the ability of content creators to produce heartwarming and shareable content. Many content creators get their start by taking courses such as this.

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Creative Writing Teacher

Creative writing teachers instruct students in the art of writing, covering various genres and techniques. The course offers a structured approach to screenwriting, particularly within the Christmas movie genre, which can be adapted into engaging lesson plans. In addition, the course's emphasis on storytelling principles and character development provides a solid foundation for teaching creative writing effectively. This course helps you learn to be a creative writing teacher.

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Film Critic

Film critics analyze and evaluate movies, providing insights into their artistic and technical merits. This involves assessing the film's narrative structure, character development, and thematic elements. The course helps develop a critical eye for storytelling. The course's focus on Christmas movie tropes and audience expectations provides a unique lens for analyzing the genre. This can be an important first step to becoming a film critic.

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Literary Agent

Literary agents represent writers and their work, seeking to sell their manuscripts to publishers or producers. Understanding the craft of writing, particularly screenwriting, provides agents a deeper insight into a script's potential. The course provides insight into the elements that make for a marketable screenplay. This gives an agent an advantage when evaluating the scripts, especially those within the Christmas movie genre. It may be helpful to have taken this course if you are a literary agent.

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Playwright

Playwrights write scripts for theatrical productions. While the medium is different from film, the fundamental principles of storytelling, character development, and dialogue creation remain crucial. This course introduces how to develop compelling characters and craft witty dialogue applicable to playwriting. The emphasis on narrative structure provides a framework for playwrights to effectively organize their stories. Taking this course may lead to a career as a playwright.

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Screenwriting Professor

Screenwriting professors teach screenwriting at the college or university level. They often have advanced degrees (Master's or PhD) and a background in professional screenwriting. This course may be helpful to those who may teach an introductory course in screenwriting. The course’s insights into the nuances of holiday screenwriting and the Christmas movie genre provide unique, specialized knowledge.

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Video Game Writer

Video game writers create narratives, characters, and dialogue for video games. The course may be useful, as it introduces core techniques in storytelling and character development. The emphasis on creating memorable characters is directly applicable to creating engaging video game characters. This course might assist someone trying to be a video game writer.

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Novelist

Novelists write long-form fictional narratives. The course introduces elements of storytelling, character development, and plot structure. The focus on holiday themes and emotional resonance are universally applicable to novel writing. This could be a step along the way to becoming a novelist.

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Broadcast Journalist

Broadcast journalists report news and information through television and radio. They may write scripts for news segments or create longer-form documentary pieces. The course’s insights into structure and narrative may be valuable. This course may provide benefits to those interested in becoming broadcast journalists.

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Write a CHRISTMAS MOVIE - Holiday Screenwriting

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Write a festive movie script

Activities

Career center

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