Join us virtually on Monday, May 15th as Noi Sabal arms you with everything you need to bring a universal Theme to your scripts. This is a Live Event only. It will not be recorded, so mark your calendars for May 15th!

Most unproduced scripts detail what happens. They’re a slice of life, a chronicling of events. It’s all about who’s doing what, when, and where. But without the Why behind the script, stories fall flat. They’re the scripts you read and say, “Okay, that happened. But… so what?” You don’t connect.

What if instead of simply telling the audience what happens, a writer shares an underlying idea of why it’s happening? Then, they give it that extra something that brings in a broad audience because they connect with the story. That “extra something” is Theme — and that is what turns a great Situation into a sellable Story.

For example, very few people are Children of Deaf Adults. But many people watched and connected with CODA — because writer-director Sian Heder infused it with two very specific themes. She found broad ideas that universally connected with the audience and wove them into her story.

This workshop will cover everything you need to bring a universal Theme to your scripts, including:  

• What Theme Is NOT: Busting the myth that Theme is a single word, like “Love” or “Family”
• What Theme IS: We’ll define a universal Core Idea, with examples from different genres (including CODA)
• Learn how: Find your theme with 3 Easy Steps
• Workshop: Bring your story ideas!* Together we’ll do a series of exercises to discover your themes.
*Participation is optional — you can just sit back, relax, and watch if you prefer.

SO SAVE THE DATE AND SIGN UP: Simply pay $10 via Zelle to the account moderator@hsswriters.com. Indicate 5/15/23 Workshop and include your email if you are new to HSSW.  Or sign up right here, using PayPal. Deadline for sign-ups is noon on Monday, May 15th EST. The Zoom link will be sent out on the afternoon of the event.

Hope to see you then!