From Concept to First Draft
Tuesdays Oct 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
At Scattered Books in Chappaqua
What we will do: From creative brain-storming techniques to high or low concept development, to outline, treatment and first draft, you will come out with a working first draft for a feature narrative screenplay, TV Pilot or short film script.
How we will do it: This workshop introduces students to utilizing techniques for story development, formatting, problem-shooting and scriptwriting. By the freedom of the unconscious mind, in a relaxed, open and receptive state, we are able to hear and create authentic, unique story. This workshops’ aim is to develop confidence in finding one’s inner voice by which to begin telling story. Then, we will introduce story components vital to story structure, write outlines, treatments and scenes, culminating into viable, completed first drafts.
What to bring: Students are invited to bring story notes, a focused mind, sense of humor, H2O, a journal and writing instruments. Tuition $300 per student, maximum 16 students. If the student wishes to take an advanced workshop, starting in Mid-October (recommended), there is a $100 discount for both. 50% Deposit required prior to class to secure spot, 50% due at time of the first class.
About Ariane: Ariane is a native New Yorker and Los Angeles transplant. She studied acting and writing at the New School for Social Research’s MFA program with the Actors Studio in New York City, Yale School of Drama in London and The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon. She is a member of SAG-AFTRA, WGA and The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. She has been seen on The Late Show with Jay Leno, Anchorman with Will Ferrell and the comedy series STRIP MALL.
Her mentors include, Mitzi Shore of the Comedy Store, Charlie Laughton, Elizabeth Kemp and Martin Landau of the Actor’s Studio and Screenwriter/Director Shane Black (IRONMAN 3, LETHAL WEAPON).
After success of her play “Trials of the Fire,” which premiered in NY, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue film studies as a Screenwriting Fellow at the American Film Institute, were she was mentored by Frank Pierson (DOG DAY AFTERNOON) and Leonard B. Stern (GET SMART).
Ariane has worked for Creative Screenwriting Magazine, The Screenwriting Expo and Random House Books. Conversely, Ariane is Co-Founder of Theatre ARK in Manhattan, NY with James Kloiber of the Actors Studio. Ariane is a private Script Coach and WGA Writer For Hire. She has held improv workshops at Groundlings School Training Center and taught Improv Comedy to kids at Hollygrove Children’s Home, with Diane Keaton’s Dream Street’s Summer Camp for Kids and Lincoln High School’s after school writing program. As a natural Producer, Ariane has produced and performed comedy in Los Angeles at The Improv, The Comedy Store, Stand-Up NY and, produces webisodes and short films.
Ariane currently lives with her Papillion, Gigi and is a Judge for NATAS Emmys 2016. She has worked on NBC’s Maya & Marty in Manhattan with Maya Rudolf and Martin Short, and while on haunts is drafting a comedy feature film for Anna Farris and a collection of comedy industry adventures, “Call me Dagmar, Please.”
Ariane grew up in Chappaqua and went to Horace Greeley High School, SUNY Albany and Yale School of Drama at Oxford University’s British American Drama Academy. She is excited to be back home to work with creative minds and fellow writers in Chappaqua. THE SUBLIME, her first book, a treatise on the Nature of the Sublime from Longinus to Van Gogh will be available in Barnes & Noble in December, and, can be purchased in First Edition, at Lulu, Press, Inc.
“The first time I saw Dead Poet’s Society and Breakfast Club, I think it was while I was a Junior at Greeley. I thought, that’s the job I wanted to do, but where do you go to write for movie school? Is that even a thing? Do movies come out of the woods or magically appear out of thin air? So, I started studying acting at the Actor’s Studio and I was reading for parts where the women’s dialogue was so unnatural or stereotyped. Women were one-dimensional and unintelligent. There was a horrible gap between the women I personally knew and the women portrayed on TV and in Film. That’s really why I started writing. To share my perspectives and find an authentic voice, not only for only women characters, but to create complex, whole, sometimes tarnished, but always genuine voices. I find no better place to write and ponder than Chappaqua, looking out into the woods by Whippoorwill Pond, sipping a freshly brewed Cappuccino from Susan Lawrence and taking a stroll through Gedney Park. What more inspiration do you need? ”
Incorporated as a non-profit in 1981, the Chappaqua Interfaith Council is dedicated to providing opportunities for dialogue, learning, social interaction and public service–all motivated by shared core values such as love and a desire to help one’s neighbor, through faith in action. Among its activities is the annual Chappaqua Interfaith Thanksgiving Service and Dinner, held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. This event pulls together hundreds of community members for worship and (free) shared food. For info, contact: Rev. Leigh Peizet, President, 
Founded in 1968, the Chappaqua Summer Scholarship Program is a unique three-year summer program for talented New York City students from under-resourced high schools. Twenty-two college-bound students come to Chappaqua every July to participate in challenging classes, afternoon activities and live with host families.