Due to popular demand, House of Stories is now running group story coaching! Designed to be an intimate and carefully curated experience, five writers will meet weekly to work with Nikki (and each other) to develop their projects and solve major story problems, at a fraction of the cost of working with Nikki privately.
Testimonials from 2020 Students:
“Writing can be a solitary journey, which is why I was so excited when I signed up for the Blueprint workshop. Finally, I would have a chance to share my work, receive much-needed feedback and engage with other writers. Well, I got that and so much more. This is, bar none, the best place for screenwriters who want to take their scripts to the next level. Nikki Saltz is one of the most gifted, supportive mentors out there. Her workshop gave me the tools to cut through the noise and focus on the essence of my story. I would sign up again in a heartbeat!” - Adrien Benson, writer & filmmaker
”My time spent with Nikki and the rest of the class provided me with invaluable lessons on how to structure my story and prepare a pitch that meets industry standard. Through Nikki’s help and the class, I was accepted into the BANFF x Netflix Diversity of Voices initiative!” - Mandeq Hassan, Writer
Taking the Blueprint workshop was one of the best experiences I've had. Nikki is quick witted, generous and nurturing. I learned SO MUCH from her. The workshop offered accountability and insight from other writers in a very safe and inclusive way. At the end of the workshop I had a pilot I was proud of. Nikki suggested I apply for the IPF grant and I'm happy to say that this year I got it! Thanks for all of your encouragement and support. It's been the most amazing journey! 5 Stars on Google and Yelp Reviews!”
- May Truong, writer
60+ Screenwriters (Live Online Class)
If you’ve always thought your life, or stories from it, would make a great screenplay, but you’ve felt alienated by ageism, or other screenwriting courses geared towards new college grads and young people, 60+ screenwriters is for you. Likewise, if you’ve always wanted to write a work of film of TV fiction, but have waited until retirement and aren’t sure where or how to get started, we want to hear from you!
Our 60+ Screenwriters workshop (with no more than five writers per group) believes that writers of any age can excel (just ask David Siedler, who won Best Screenplay for The King’s Speech at age seventy-three). Writers will come to our six-week workshop with an idea that they’d like to turn into a script, or a work in progress that needs a little untangling. Then, via weekly workshops run by writer and script doctor Nikki Saltz, they’ll develop their ideas into clear, engaging and marketable script pages.
Each week, writers will participate in a two hour class over Zoom. The first 30 minutes of class will consist of a lecture delivered by Nikki Saltz, combining screenwriting principles with on-the-page analysis of various produced screenplays. The second hour of the class will function as a group workshop, wherein each writer gets 30 minutes to present their work and receive feedback from the class and instructor. Writers may choose to work with their stories as outlines or screenplays throughout the course. Assignments will be given out at the end of each class - however, note that each week, writers will be expected to produce approximately 5-10 pages of screenplay or outline, and to send them out to the class every Sunday in advance of our sessions so that Nikki & their peers can read and review their work.
Curriculum
Over the course of six weeks, we’ll explore fundamental concepts and skills in screenwriting, including:
1) Ensuring your story’s got the legs to become a film or TV show
2) Writing protagonists who captivate and fascinate
3) Writing antagonists (and antagonism) that grips your reader
4) Scene writing skills
5) Sequence writing skills
6) Workshopping your first ten pages
7) Workshopping your climax
8) Pitch documents and live pitching
Class Schedule
* Please note that all class times are listed in EST.
Our Fall session of THE BLUEPRINT will take place every Thursday from 2-4PM EST, starting on Sept. 16th, 2021.
Additional class dates/times may be added based on interest.
Writers will be expected to turn in work every Sunday by 5PM.
Fees*
$525 CAD (tax included)
*For writers of exceptional talent, some adjustments to fees may be made if cost is prohibitive. Please email: info@houseofstories.net about your circumstances and include a 1-2 page writing sample if you feel this may apply to you. The Amnon Buchbinder Story Prize will provide free tuition to one writer each year - please apply only if the cost of The Blueprint would prevent you from working with us.
I’m In. Now What?
Potential students are asked to fill out the form below. Nikki will then follow up with you via email within two business days.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Nikki Saltz is a screenwriter and story editor based in Toronto, Canada. She is the founder of House of Stories and an alumnus of the Writers’ Lab at the prestigious Canadian Film Centre. Nikki has taught screenwriting at Toronto Film School and York University, where she trained under leading story editor, Amnon Buchbinder. Nikki has served as a script consultant for the TIFF Writers’ Studio, a juror for the TIFF- CBC Screenwriter’s Award, and has lectured on Story and screenwriting across Canada. Most recently, Nikki was a story editor for the International Emmy award-wining CBC-Gem series, How to Buy a Baby. She is currently penning the screenplay for Coming Soon, a thriller produced by Clique Pictures (Riot Girls) and Scythia Films (The Witch). She has a feature film and television series in development, and is also pursuing a certificate in Jungian Myth and Story at the Zur Institute.