Unlock the Power of Persuasive Storytelling

Welcome to "The Art of Rhetoric & Storytelling" - a transformative course that will revolutionize your approach to crafting compelling narratives across various media. 

Master the Tools of Persuasion

In this immersive class, you'll delve deep into the world of rhetoric and persuasion, learning to wield these powerful tools across film, plays, podcasts, and books. You'll discover how to:

  • Identify your target audience with precision
  • Define the specific change you want to inspire
  • Analyze audience emotional and logical hierarchies
  • Understand and address audience fears & obstacles

Craft Stories That Change Minds, Hearts & Behavoir

Armed with these insights, you'll develop the skills to create long-form stories that can persuade even the most stubborn minds. 

Our goal is to help you craft narratives that not only entertain but also drive meaningful change in the world.

Course Highlights

Comprehensive Analysis
Learn to break down successful stories across various media, understanding the rhetorical techniques that make them effective.

Practical Application
Apply your newfound knowledge to your own creative projects, receiving guidance and feedback throughout the process.

Final Project: Change the World
The course culminates in a pitch presentation where you'll showcase your story concept to the class. You'll receive valuable feedback, helping you refine your plan to create a narrative that can truly impact the world.

Join Us and Transform Your Storytelling

Whether you're an aspiring filmmaker, playwright, podcaster, or author, this course will equip you with the tools to create stories that resonate, persuade, and inspire change. Don't just tell stories - craft narratives that have the power to shape minds and transform society.
“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world." - Malala Yousafzai

"I think 'Will & Grace' probably did more to educate the American public than almost anything anybody has ever done so far."   President Joe Biden. 




​"I was amazed not only at the number of tools I learned but the psychology behind them. I've read every book on screenwriting and felt overwhelmed with what I was 'supposed' to do on the page. I was tired of following someone else's path; it felt forced. This class gave me tools I could actually use on all my scripts. Jess helped me understand the psychology of how a reader reads a script vs how an audience watches TV and unconsciously what brings an audience back to a show. This has changed my career."
- Susan G, TV Writer
Rhetoric is defined as the art of persuasion, encompassing the study and practice of effective communication through spoken, written, and visual language. It originated in ancient Greece and has evolved into a critical discipline within the humanities.

Key Aspects of Rhetoric:
  1. Art of Persuasion: Rhetoric involves techniques that speakers or writers use to inform, persuade, and motivate their audiences. 
  2. Forms of Communication: Rhetoric applies to various forms of media, including speeches, literature, film, and visual arts. It investigates how language can organize social groups, construct identities, and produce change .
  3. Practical Application: Understanding rhetoric enhances one's ability to communicate effectively, whether in writing or speaking, and is essential for engaging with audiences critically and persuasively .​

Rhetoric & Storytelling

$375.00
Register
CLASS DATES
Nov 16 - Dec 21st (skips 11/30 & 12/14)

TIME
2pm - 3:30pm ET, Saturdays 
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DURATION
4 sessions over 6 weeks

LOCATION
Online via Zoom

"Jess's classes and meditations have gotten me through some very severe blocks. These are professional-grade tools that short circuit the fear, imposter syndrome, and perfectionism that stands in the way of you doing your best work. I rely on them regularly!"
​- Carly Wray (Writer/Producer, Mad Men, Westworld)
"Jess' unique ability to adjust her approach based on where the writer is in their journey shows her dedication to actually helping us move forward. This class was the first time I ever really felt safe to share. The way Jess handles giving feedback is like therapy for a writer’s soul."
"Jess's classes and meditations have gotten me through some very severe blocks. These are professional-grade tools that short circuit the fear, imposter syndrome, and perfectionism that stands in the way of you doing your best work. I rely on them regularly!"
- Ellie Waitt, Writer
​- Carly Wray (Writer/Producer, Mad Men, Westworld)

TV/Screenplay Alchemy
Master the craft without losing the art.

Learn how to turn any pages into a great script. In this workshop, we focus on you: your mind, your story, and your goals. Through this approach, we aim to turn the average into the extraordinary. By focusing on the way you approach the page, you will build a set of tools that can be applied to every script you ever write.  

Every week you will discover and practice new tools for building story and structure through character, theme, and intuition. We will deep dive into your understanding of action, dialogue, subtext, the mind of the reader, the heart of a producer, and — most importantly — storytelling.

Limited to only 6 writers, this intimate workshop will provide you with dozens of practical tools, writing exercises, and personal feedback. You will also learn how to give, receive, and ask for feedback that actually helps lead to stronger storytelling with great structure.
​
Over the four weeks, every writer will have the opportunity to workshop up to 30 pages of their script. Writers should be prepared to workshop their pages during week two, three, or four. Due to the small class size we cannot guarantee you a specific week to workshop. All workshopping takes place during class, so no outside reading is required. 

TV & Screenwriting Alchemy is open to any genre of script writers who are working on their first, middle, or final drafts. The workshop is also appropriate for script writers working on pitch bibles, pitch decks and outlines. Or if you would like to use your time in class to dive and learn certain parts of the craft, rather than workshop pages, you can make that request. Whatever part of the process you are in we can build the curriculum to fit your needs. 
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Not ready to workshop pages? Join as a Non-workshop Participant. Participate in the readings, enjoy the lectures and be an active part of the community. Register Here. 

upcoming workshop

PRICE
$379 

DATES
TBA
​
TIME
3pm - 5:30pm ET, Saturdays
​
DURATION
4 sessions over 5 weeks

LOCATION
Online via Zoom


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EXAMPLE SYLLABUS
  • WEEK ONE: Introductions & orientation. Breakdown ​of basic & advanced scriptwriting craft tools.  Advanced feedback techniques & procedures. 
  • WEEK TWO: Workshop Writer 1 & 2
  • WEEK THREE: Workshop Writer 3 & 4
  • WEEK FOUR: Workshop Writer 5 & 6​​
"I was amazed not only at the number of tools I learned but the psychology behind them. I've read every book on screenwriting and felt overwhelmed with what I was 'supposed' to do on the page. I was tired of following someone else's path; it felt forced. This class gave me tools I could actually use on all my scripts. Jess helped me understand the psychology of how a reader reads a script vs how an audience watches TV and unconsciously what brings an audience back to a show. This has changed my career."

- SUSAN, TV WRITER