A Holiday Extravaganza Encore 2022

A Holiday Extravaganza Encore
December 13 - 14, 2022
8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific)
Our November Holiday Extravaganza class sold out, so we're offering it again.
This will be the final opportunity to take this live writing workshop until Christmas 2023. Don't miss it!

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What would the holidays be without a happily-ever-after romance? From Hallmark movies to bestselling books, this genre is wildly popular, with plenty of opportunities for aspiring and established writers.

How do you plot a classic holiday romance? What do holiday movie producers look for in a script? What kinds of tension are expected between characters, how can you introduce unique twists, and how do you come up with a memorable meet-cute?

This two-evening course is for screenwriters (and novelists)—and for anyone who wants a behind-the-scenes look at the making (and marketing) of holiday joy.

As a bonus, you'll receive a recording to hear more fine points from producers and holiday scriptwriters on bringing your story to the screen.

From magic to mistletoe, our faculty members know holiday romance

inside and out.

The course will overflow with writing tips, inside secrets, and specific instructions to help you write YOUR holiday romance.

Joany Kane will share the story behind her Emmy-nominated Hallmark movie, The Christmas Card—along with her three latest Christmas movies, one for Lifetime and two for ION —and how to adapt romance novels for the screen.

Shari Hamrick-Grewal, producer and director of multiple Christmas films, will walk you through the steps from script to production.

Matt Bierman, holiday film producer, studio executive, and producer at Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount, Warner Brothers and DC Comics, will share the essential step-by-step formula for writing your script.

Shari Hamrick-Grewal

Shari Hamrick-Grewal is an award-winning producer, writer, and director. In the past two years, she has produced four holiday films: Christmas Down Under, The Christmas Witness, A Christmas Thief, and The Christmas Garden (aka Winters’ Garden), which will release in 2023. A fifth holiday film, So Fly Christmas, is currently in production for BET.

Shari is the head of production, post and distribution at Organic Media Group LLC. She also owns and runs GPS Film Fund, which has made seven feature films (including her holiday movies) and two series in the past few years.

She has been a producing executive on many films, such as “Mission Impossible III,” “Legend of Zorro,” “Man on Fire,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “The Interpreter,” and numerous television shows including “The Amazing Race,” “The Unit,” “Dog Eat Dog,” and “Seti the First.” Her clients include NBC, CBS, Fox, Sony, Warner, Paramount, Universal, Discovery Channel, SBS, and CCTV, to name a few.

Shari has been a Producers Guild of America member for twenty years and serves on the PGA Producers Council, International Film and TV Producers Council, FilmUSA committee, NATPE, AFM, British Film Institute, IFP board and The Basin Film Society.

Joany Kane

Writer of "The Christmas Card," which premiered on the Hallmark Channel in 2006 and broke all-time ratings records for the channel. The movie received an Emmy nomination and was one of the inspirations for the current Hallmark Christmas craze. Joany has also written a slew of other holiday movies including "Moonlight and Mistletoe," "A Christmas Kiss," "Matchmaker Santa," "Christmas Belle," "A Christmas Kiss I and II," and "Merry Kissmas."

Her three latest holiday films are "Winters’ Garden," "A Prince and Pauper Christmas," and "The Search for Secret Santa."

Joany is the founder of Passion Flix, which turns romance novels into movies and series.

Matt Bierman

Matt Bierman has been a studio executive and producer for more than 25 years. He started in the feature film business working as an executive for Jon Peters. He has worked directly as an executive at Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount, Warner Brothers and DC Comics.

Additionally, he has been an executive at Village Roadshow Pictures (WB), and Mike Medavoy’s Phoenix Pictures (SONY).

In his capacity as an executive, he developed and oversaw such theatrical movies as "Rosewood," "Mystery Alaska," "My Favorite Martian," "Taking Lives," "Saving Silverman," and "Holes," among others.

He also co-wrote and produced a comedy about poker called "The Grand," directed by Zak Penn.

Matt produced the holiday films "A Loud House Christmas," "Christmas with the Darlings," and "Memories of Christmas." He also produced the rom-coms "Love at First Bark" and "Love Under the Stars," among others.

He has expertise in low-budget mainstream films, as he ran the creative at Paramount DVD Premiere and Warner Premiere, those studios' lower-budget made-for-DVD divisions. He has overseen and supervised several dozen movies in the $3-8 million range, including “Broken Bridges,” “Save The Last Dance 2,” “Another Cinderella Story,” “Scooby Doo! The Mystery Begins,” “Lost Boys: The Tribe,” “Free Willy Pirates Cove Adventure,” “Sophia Grace and Rosie’s Royal Adventure,” “A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits,” “Max 2” and over two dozen others.

In addition, he was involved in the creation of the "DC Universe" series of animated films and helped put together a WB Anime business for the Japanese market.

Most recently, he ran the TV department at DC Comics, overseeing the pilots for "Sandman" and "DMZ," among others. He has also developed and produced movies for Hallmark and Nickelodeon.

Matt’s particular areas of expertise include movies and television based on intellectual property, romantic comedies, family and tween movies, and genre (comic book, sci-fi) film and television.

Award-winning producer, writer, and director with producing executive credits on many feature films and television series. In the past two years, she has produced four holiday films: Christmas Down Under, The Christmas Witness, A Christmas Thief, and The Christmas Garden.

Writer of a whopping 15 holiday movies, plus two currently in development. Joany wrote Hallmark's The Christmas Card, which broke all records for the channel, was nominated for an Emmy, and started the Hallmark Christmas craze.

Producer for the holiday films A Loud House Christmas, Christmas with the Darlings, and Memories of Christmas. Matt also produced the rom-coms Love at First Bark and Love Under the Stars, among others.

"Joany Kane is a remarkable teacher! I took her Holiday Extravaganza class and now my Christmas script has been optioned by the president emeritus of the Producers Guild!" — Sean Michael Teague, writer

See What People Are Saying After November's Holiday Class:

It’s going to be a VERY jolly class!

For this festive time of year, we want to make our Holiday Extravaganza class extra special. That’s why we have several gifts and surprises in store.

AND the course will be filled with good cheer and fun surprises, making it a holiday event you don’t want to miss.

If you love holiday romance, there’s no place you’d rather be December 13 - 14.

Please note: A Holiday Extravaganza is not sponsored by Hallmark Channel, nor is Story Summit affiliated with the Hallmark Channel.

Who doesn’t need a love story at this time of year?

Stories of holiday romance have a greater impact than we may realize. Often, it seems, their combination of beauty, love, humor and happy endings help people get through tough times.

One participant, for instance, told us she couldn’t have gotten through chemotherapy without them.

Others turn to Christmas movies when they feel lonely or they’re missing a loved one.

Another said she and her mom get together every year to watch their favorite Christmas movies. It’s one of their most beloved holiday traditions.

The truth is, these stories bring us together and keep us alive.

So if they hold a place in your heart—as a writer or a viewer—please join us. You’ll fall in love with happy endings all over again, making this a true holiday celebration.

Regular Price: $249
Today's Price Only: $129
for four hours of instruction and celebration.
This will be the final opportunity to take this live writing workshop until Christmas 2023. Don't miss it!

EVENING CLASS

December 13 - 14

8 to 10 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific)

Please note: Our classes are designed specifically for live participation, so your attendance is important. If you need to miss a class for any reason, you’ll receive a passcode-protected link to watch the recordings after the course is over.

For a limited time, you also get...
4 Free Gift Bonuses
Valued at $99

Bonus #1 - Access to our Facebook group
You'll get to know faculty members
and other participants in our Story Summit Facebook group.

Bonus #2 - How to get your Christmas screenplay produced
You'll receive a recording that features four graduates from last year's Holiday Extravaganza, sharing how they've had their Christmas projects optioned or produced (see details below).

Bonus #3 - A chance to win 1 of 10 hardcover books
Twas the Night: The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem by Pamela McColl,
personally signed to you or a loved one by the author.

Bonus #4 - Annual Story Summit Holiday Zoom Party on December 18
A very special night and a chance to meet our celebrated faculty.

Bonus Recording: How to get your Christmas screenplay produced

Great news for anyone wanting to write a holiday movie: In 2021, there were 153 Christmas movies produced, with 43 made by Hallmark. In 2022, there will be even more. The opportunities for your Christmas movie are there!

Several of our holiday graduates from last year’s class — Maggie Dallen, Frank Myer, Jaimie Engle, and Sean Michael Teague — have had their Christmas projects optioned or produced and now share the stories of how they got 'er done.

Maggie Dallen

Maggie Dallen is the author of more than two hundred romance novels under several pen names. A former ghostwriter, news reporter, and editor, Maggie's currently working on bringing her happily ever afters to the big screen.

Frank Myer

Jaimie Engle

Sean Teague

Candy Cane Kiss

Gingersnap Christmas

Just Jake

Her Wonderful Life

The recording is co-hosted by Gary Lucchesi, president emeritus of the Producers Guild of America and executive producer of the Academy Award-winning movie, Million Dollar Baby; and David Paul Kirkpatrick, former president of Paramount Picture's Motion Picture Group and former president of production of Walt Disney Studios. They help put the process in context for you.

Gary Lucchesi

Partner/Producer of the independent film company Revelations Entertainment, as well as President Emeritus of the Producer’s Guild of America. Produced Oscar winner for Best Picture "Million Dollar Baby,"

David P. Kirkpatrick

David Paul Kirkpatrick is the former production chief of Walt Disney Studios and the former President of Paramount Pictures. He has worked on more than 200 motion pictures and their screenplays, including such global franchises as Indiana Jones and Star Trek. He has guided countless adaptions of books and plays to movies including Forrest Gump, Elephant Man, Ordinary People, and Terms of Endearment.

An Emmy and Golden Globe recipient for his HBO production of Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny, David is a believer in giving back, wanting to inspire and equip the writers of tomorrow, believing fiction is an underutilized tool that can help build a better world.

The bonus recording also includes author and publisher Pamela McColl, who talks about her new hardcover book, Twas the Night – The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem. Kirkus reviews called the book "A delightful and informative exploration of A Visit From St. Nicholas for the holiday season."

Pamela McColl, author and editor of Twas the Night.

DON'T FORGET: Please join us on Sunday night, December 18, for our FREE annual Story Summit holiday party via Zoom. You’ll get to meet our faculty and other Summiteers—a great addition to your holiday fun!