ABOUT ON THE PAGE

Screenwriting shouldn’t be scary. Guided by instructor Pilar Alessandra, ON THE PAGE provides entertaining, actionable classes and personal “story to script” coaching to help feature and TV writers get their ideas out of their heads and onto the page!

NOTE:  On the Page supports the WGA Writers Strike. On the Page Classes are strictly educational with the goal of helping writers learn and sharpen skills. Writers attending On the Page classes and coaching should not pitch, sell, or negotiate with any struck companies or personnel from struck companies for the duration of the strike. 

UPCOMING AND ONGOING CLASSES

Interactive-Online Class

Writing Feature Film

A “learn by doing” class that takes you step-by-step through the screenwriting process, moving you from idea to script pages in four weeks.

Interactive-Online Class

WRITING TV

Pitch your series, outline your pilot and learn about the television business in four weeks!

Interactive-Online Class

REWRITE TECHNIQUES

In this four-part, interactive, online class, lectures, film examples and in-class writing tools show you what your script needs and help you to fix it on the spot!

Interactive-Online Class

STORY ANALYSIS

Script and story analysis, the components of script coverage, tips and tricks for loglines and synopses, plus giving notes and getting notes.

Interactive-Online Class

Writing And Making The Short Film

A short film can be a career starter, a piece of art or just an entertaining, bite-sized moment on screen. No matter what your end-game, this class will help you get your short film on the page and on the screen.

Interactive-Online Class

SKETCH TO SCRIPT

Ideas buzzing in your head? Write a sketch! Got a sketch with possibilities? Write a script! This class will show you how to do both.

CONSULTATION &
PRIVATE COACHING

Personal deadlines and a package of one-on-one private consultations with Pilar help you get your story out of your head and onto the page.

Story to Script (Current Offerings)

Private Coaching

STORY TO SCRIPT

Personal deadlines and a package of one-on-one private consultations with Pilar help you get your story out of your head and onto the page.

PILAR

Pilar Alessandra started her career as Senior Story Analyst at DreamWorks SKG. In 2001, she opened the Los Angeles-based On the Page Writers’ Studio dedicated to teaching and consulting with screenwriters and TV writers at all levels. She’s the author of two books, “The Coffee Break Screenwriter” and “The Coffee Break Screenwriter Breaks the Rules,” and host of the “On the Page Podcast.” An in-demand speaker, she’s taught seminars at Disney Animation, DreamWorks TV, ABC, CBS, and the AFM, and traveled the world teaching the UK, China, South Africa and more. Click to see current and past student successes.

STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

Pilar’s On the Page curriculum and The Coffee Break Screenwriter was invaluable in taking me from a novice screenwriter to being accepted into the Warner Bros Writers’ Workshop and, subsequently, being staffed on a critically acclaimed show. I trust Pilar’s tools and methodology implicitly. Her knowledge of story, structure and process is masterful.

Charmaine DeGraté
Co-executive producer for Daisy Jones and the Six
Writer for House of the Dragon

Pilar Alessandra’s screenwriting techniques are among the most valuable I’ve ever come across. She takes a systematic approach to every step of the process, carefully guiding the writer from concept to final draft.

Chris Sparling
Writer of Buried, Greenland,
and The Sea of Trees

Pilar is AMAZING! I started as a student of hers over ten years ago and have since become a client. I can say without a doubt that her notes on everything from pitches to drafts are laser sharp and extremely helpful. She speaks “writer” and gives concise, respectful feedback that only enhances your final product.

Karin Gist
Executive Producer of Our King of People,
Mixed-ish, Star
Co-executive producer for Grey's Anatomy

ON THE PAGE NEWSLETTER

Stay updated with the latest news, upcoming classes, event announcements and more.

BOOKS

THE COFFEE BREAK SCREENWRITER

New & Updated, 2nd Edition!

You DO have time to write your screenplay! Packed with more than sixty ten-minute writing tools. The Coffee Break Screenwriter keeps it focused and simple.

THE COFFEE BREAK SCREENWRITER BREAKS THE RULES

Who says you have to follow the screenwriting rules. In this book Pilar reviews the rules writers assume they should follow, discusses why they’re there in the first place, and then shows you ways to creatively break them!