How To Write A Christmas Movie
November 28 - 29, 2023
8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific)
Click above to play the video!
What would the holidays be without a happily-ever-after romance? From Hallmark to Lifetime to Netflix—and even holiday books!— this genre is wildly popular, with plenty of opportunity for aspiring and established writers.
This is one of our most beloved Story Summit classes, and we've refashioned it with an all-star faculty lineup and opportunities for you to brainstorm your own holiday movie ideas!
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 fans alike— for anyone who wants a behind-the-scenes look at the making (and marketing) of holiday joy. And it's all new this year!
Important Note: This program has already started. If you register now you will receive a link to the recordings portal for the previous date.
Our Esteemed Christmas Faculty
From magic to mistletoe, our faculty members know holiday storytelling inside and out.
The course will overflow with writing tips, inside secrets, and specific instructions to help you write YOUR holiday movie.
Producer of more than 75 Christmas movies, including A Castle for Christmas
Writer of the classic rom-com, Sleepless in Seattle
Writer of The Christmas Card, which started the holiday movie craze, and 17 other Christmas movies
Emmy Award-winning writer for Netflix, Hallmark, and Lifetime Christmas movies, including 𝘈 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 and author of bestselling holiday novels.
Writer of Christmas on Cherry Lane, airing this December 9 on the Hallmark Channel
Screenwriter and executive producer of The Housewives of the Northpole
A Special Christmas Message!
Jimmy Hawkins, who played Tommy Bailey in the original production of Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, will be making a special live appearance. He will inspire us all on the power and wonder of a well-told Christmas story!
Important Note: This program has already started. If you register now you will receive a link to the recordings portal for the previous date.
The Holiday Market
Holiday movies have become big business, with more of them in demand every year. And that means producers are looking for new material year-round. Whether you’re a seasoned holiday screenwriter, you’re new to the genre, or you simply can’t get enough of holiday movies and want to learn how they’re made, this class is for you.
From fresh ideas to a memorable meet-cute to that all-important happily-ever-after, our Story Summit experts will teach you the ins and outs of holiday screenplays and help you polish your script until it shines.
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.
Important Note: This program has already started. If you register now you will receive a link to the recordings portal for the previous date.
See What People Were Saying After Last Year's Holiday Class:
Here's What You Can Expect on
Night One: A Star-Studded Learning Experience
Opening Speech by Jimmy Hawkins
We kickstart our holiday journey with an aspirational speech from none other than Jimmy Hawkins, the beloved actor who warmed hearts as the Baileys’ youngest child in the timeless classic, It’s a Wonderful Life. Today, not just an iconic actor, Hawkins is a dedicated social justice advocate and a proud former board member of the Jimmy Stewart Foundation. His inspirational words promise to ignite the creative spark every writer yearns for.
Insights from Joany Kane
Joany Kane, the creative mind behind Hallmark's record-breaking The Christmas Card, will grace us with her presence. Kane didn't just pen an Emmy-nominated masterpiece; she ignited the global Hallmark Christmas phenomenon. Since The Christmas Card, she has penned seventeen produced Christmas movies. Dive into her insights on the evolving landscape of Christmas movies, a journey that she, herself, pioneered.
The Business Acumen of Brad Krevoy
Enter the world of Brad Krevoy, a producer with a Midas touch, credited with more than 75 Christmas movies in just five years. Krevoy’s classics, including A Castle for Christmas starring Brooke Shields and Cary Elwes and A Christmas Melody starring Mariah Carey, are testaments to his genius. He unveils the intricate world of the Christmas movie business in an era when more than two hundred such gems grace our screens annually in North America alone.
Brainstorming with Jeff Arch
Jeff Arch, the brilliant mind behind the Academy-nominated screenplay of Sleepless in Seattle, facilitates this exciting interactive session on fresh ideas. In a world saturated with over a thousand Christmas movies in half a decade, making your idea shine bright can be challenging. Fear not, for Arch, a logline maestro, is here to guide emerging writers through a live, interactive brainstorming session to perfect your logline.
Night Two: The Business of Making Holiday Magic
The Big Picture with Spyder Dobrofsky
Spyder has written and executive produced multiple celebrated movies in the Christmas genre, including The Housewives of the Northpole, an NBC Peacock's original movie, and One Christmas Wish. From creating a treatment to writing a greenlit script, Spyder will explain the ins and outs of the development process of Christmas movies.
Understanding the Hallmark of Holiday Movies with Rick Garman
Rick’s newest Christmas movie, Christmas on Cherry Lane, airs this December 9 on the Hallmark Channel. He has written an incredible sixteen other Christmas movies, which have aired on various platforms. He is singularly qualified to bring you the unique guidelines for holiday movies. For instance, when does the meet-cute happen? In which act does everything seem to fall apart? And does the kiss have to wait until the end?
Finding Your Christmas Mojo with Karen Schaler
Karen is a three-time Emmy Award-winning screenwriter, producer, bestselling author, journalist, and national TV host. She has written features for Netflix, Hallmark, and Lifetime, including the Netflix Original sensation A Christmas Prince, which started the franchise. She also turned her hit Christmas Camp Hallmark movie and books into real-life trademarked sold-out Christmas Camp experiences for grownups that she hosts at resorts, hotels, and destinations worldwide. Her stories will inspire you to think beyond the holiday movie and explore a whole world of writing, producing, publishing, and telling Christmas stories.
Here’s How the Two Nights Will Unfold
Tuesday, November 28
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Introduction to the Christmas Movie Genre
- Brief history and evolution of Christmas movies.
- Importance and influence of the holiday season in storytelling.
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Understanding Core Themes and Tropes
- Popular themes in Christmas movies (e.g., redemption, family, magic, love).
- Essential Christmas movie tropes (e.g., Christmas miracles, the 'real' Santa, hometown holiday returns).
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The Business of Christmas Movies
- Overview of the growing demand for holiday content.
- Major buyers in the industry: Hallmark, Lifetime, A&E, Netflix, and Apple. Discussion on each platform's unique style and preferences for Christmas content.
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Brainstorming & Workshop: Crafting Your Premise
- Faculty offers feedback on Christmas movie ideas.
- Peer and instructor feedback on feasibility, uniqueness, and adherence to Christmas spirit.
Wednesday, November 29
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Crafting Compelling Characters
- Developing a relatable protagonist and supporting cast.
- The role of antagonists in Christmas movies (e.g., Scrooge characters, the Grinch). -
Plot Development & Story Arcs
- The significance of the "Christmas Magic" moment.
- Ensuring a balance between conflict and heartwarming resolutions. -
Understanding Buyer Preferences
- Deep dive into what each major buyer (Hallmark, Lifetime, A&E, Netflix, Apple) typically looks for in Christmas content, and how to tailor your pitch accordingly. -
Workshop: Plot and Character Brainstorming
- Group feedback focusing on character arcs, climax, and resolution. -
Pitching Your Script
- Basics of a good pitch and how to tailor it for different buyers.
- Discussion on contracts, rights, and potential earnings from selling scripts to major platforms. -
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
- Tips on refining and continuing the pitch process.
- Encouragement for future scriptwriting and selling endeavors
At the end of these sessions, participants will not only have a blueprint for their Christmas movie script but also a clear understanding of the business side and how to approach the key players in the industry.
Important Note: This program has already started. If you register now you will receive a link to the recordings portal for the previous date.
It’s going to be a VERY jolly class!
For this festive time of year, we want to make our Christmas 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 November 28 - 29.
Disclaimer: How To Write A Christmas Movie is not sponsored by Hallmark Channel, nor is Story Summit affiliated with the Hallmark Channel. Guest instructors are subject to change.
A Sampling of Our Faculty's Movies
Regular Price: $249
Today's Price Only: $129
for four hours of instruction and celebration
EVENING CLASS
November 28 - 29
8 to 10 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific)
This program has already started. If you register now you will receive a link to the recordings portal for the previous dates.
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...
3 Special Gifts
Special Gift #1 - A chance to win 1 of 10 book bundles
Every Day is Christmas and Color Your Christmas Dreams signed by the author Karen Schaler.
Special Gift #2 - Table Reads
We'll hold your place at our holiday Table Reads on December 17.
Special Gift #3 - Access to our private Facebook group
You'll get to know faculty members and other participants in our private Story Summit Facebook group.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Peek at Our Past Virtual Classes
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