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  • Professional Program
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  • Tools & Extras
  • Testimonials

The Story Farm Professional Program is closed for 2025 enrollment, but a new program will be launching soon. Read Below for details. Please email Max if you wish to be placed on a waiting list. Limited enrollment applies. max@thestoryfarm.org



The Story Farm Professional Program

After nearly 20 years of experience in developing screenwriters' careers, Max Timm is presenting a professional 1-Year program for the career-focused writer. With a grad school-like intensive writing group approach, The Professional Program is meant for writers who are looking to create a long-term career as a screenwriter:


The program will dedicate four cycles/semesters with group classes, workshops, and deadlines in order to support a writer's development of up to four screenplays. A limited number of writers will be accepted per year. Industry submission and career support will be intended as the writer progresses, though it is up to the screenwriter to perform, dedicate his or her time to the craft, and build a resume of material and success. Max, and your fellow program writers, will help you every step of the way. We cannot guarantee career placement or industry submission.


This is not for the casual, first-time hobbyist, nor for the first-time writer. There is a requirement of having at least three finished, fully-developed screenplays prior to entering the program (though some exceptions can be made). There will be very high expectations placed on each accepted writer, a requirement of a bare minimum of ten hours per week devoted to writing, and a high level of importance put on education and craft development.


*If you are looking for a quick way to gain access to the industry, this is not the program for you. Industry submission is not guaranteed.

Program Writers Receive...

  • online writing classes/group sessions every other week
  • assignment-driven support
  • deadlines w/development notes
  • potential industry submission
  • a graduate school approach for the screenwriter

(Please scroll down to see the 2024 four-semester schedule and dates for an example of how your time in the program will work.)

  • Each group session will run for two hours
  • Recordings will be available
  • Every semester cycle will follow online writing class coursework

(3 months at a time, 4 cycles in total)

  • All screenwriters will be on the same schedule of assignments.
  • Ongoing development notes and feedback on your assignments
  • 1 full read & evaluation at each cycle deadline (for Pro and Retreat level writing programs)

During the first 8 weeks of each semester, the writer will receive...

  • notes & feedback on submitted assignments via email and in group sessions
  • Weeks 9 thru 12 are focused on page writing/finishing your draft

(no notes/feedback during weeks 9-12).

  • Extensive pitch practice
  • business education
  • cold query email support/education
  • personal story/voice development
  • general meeting practice
  • guidance and feedback on contest and/or fellowship applications

Inclusion in outside classes and events hosted by Max Timm through The Story Farm Circle Community.  Monthly events and workshops include:

  • logline feedback and reviews
  • pitch workshops and practice
  • New Idea Development workshops
  • Weekly office hours and a private open social media forum (not Facebook!) 

...included in the program at the Retreat and Pro Levels:

  • TWO 4-night writing retreats in two of four locations (Wisconsin, Los Angeles, Portland, OR, Vermont)
  • 8-Call Story Farm Coaching Package: 1-on-1 development and feedback calls the writer can use any time over a 12-month period

Program Tiers and Cost

Retreat Pro Membership

  • $5000 if paid in full, or payment plan options of...
  • 3 payments of $1667 (must be pre-scheduled and paid in full within first year)
  • 12 monthly payments of $444
  • 18 monthly payments of $298

Included in this level:

  • Bi-Weekly Writing Group Meetings
  • Bi-Weekly assignments + notes from Max
  • 8-Call Anytime package: 1-on-1 calls to be used over 12 months
  • Emailed notes and feedback on all submitted assignments
  • Quarterly reads & evaluations - 1-on-1 call
  • Retreat attendance - Any two locations
  • Wisconsin, Los Angeles, Portland (OR), Vermont retreat locations
  • Annual Circle Community Membership includes monthly workshops, reviews, office hours, plus an open social media forum (and an easy-to-use app)
  • 12 months of upgraded Substack educational newsletter with writing prompts, additional assignments, industry news weekly recap

*this is an application or invite-only program. Inquire by emailing max@thestoryfarm.org, or click the button below.

*limited to 20 writers


Inquire

Retreat Membership

  • $2497 if paid in full, or payment plan options of...
  • 3 payments of $832
  • 6 payments of $435
  • 12 monthly payments of $229

Membership without Retreat:

  • $1498 in-full
  • 6 monthly payments of $255
  • 12 monthly payments of $130

Included in this level:

  • Bi-Weekly Writing Group Meetings
  • Bi-Weekly assignments + notes from Max
  • Retreat attendance - Any one location
  • Quarterly reads & evaluations - Written Notes Only
  • Annual Circle Community Membership includes monthly workshops, reviews, office hours, plus an open social media forum (and an easy-to-use app)
  • 12 months of upgraded Substack educational newsletter with writing prompts, additional assignments, inspiration, news/updates

*limited to 25 writers

*If you wish to purchase ONLY the retreat (no membership benefits), the price will be $1797. Please email to inquire.

Inquire

Basic Membership

  • $625 if paid in full, or...
  • Monthly membership payment of $59 (can cancel any time, but membership privileges are revoked)

Included in this level:

  • Bi-Weekly Writing Group Meetings
  • Bi-Weekly assignments, notes from peers, periodic notes from Max during group meeting
  • Annual Circle Community Membership includes monthly workshops, reviews, office hours, plus an open social media forum (and an easy-to-use app)
  • 12 months of upgraded Substack educational newsletter with writing prompts, additional assignments, industry news weekly recap

*limited to 25 writers


*If you wish to purchase ONLY the retreat (no membership benefits), the price will be $1797. Please email to inquire.

Inquire

Schedule, calendar and program expectations

The Basics

Group/class meets every other Tuesday at 5:00pm PT, starting January 7 (with holiday breaks)

Assignments need to be submitted on Sunday, no later than 11:00pm PT (note that any assignment submitted after 11:00pm PT on Sunday will NOT be read or evaluated...without exception).

Individual notes and feedback are sent to each writer by Monday at 8:00pm PT

Notes are be reviewed in the Tuesday group/class

Four Semester/Cycle Approach

The 12 months will be broken up into four cycles/semesters, each at roughly a 12-week interval for education, and script development. Cycle 3 is a 9-week cycle due to a three-week Summer Break. Cycle 4 is an 11-week cycle with the final class/group meeting on December 16, which is also your final script deadline.

The General Focus for each cycle is below...

Cycle 1

Month 1 - Class & Education

Month 2 - Development & Rewriting

Month 3 - Entertainment Business Education/Script Deadline Submission

Cycle 2

Month 4 - Cycle 1 Draft Notes - Start New Project

Month 5 - Continued New Project Development

Month 6 - General Meeting/Pitch Practice - Script Deadline Submission

Cycles 3 and 4

Months 7 thru 12: Repeat Cycles 1 and 2 with New Project or Rewrite.

Emphasis on industry education, cold query outreach, special events, industry guests, fellowship and contest submission support

2024 Schedule, Dates, and Deadlines

Calendar of Events & Group/Class Dates (on Tuesdays)

NOTE: Retreat and Emerging Writer Levels of the Program meet every other week. Pro Level writers meet every week. Dates in BOLD are Pro Level meetings.


Cycle 1

-January 9, 16, 23, 30

-February 6, 13, 20, 27

-March 5, 12, 19, 26

-Deadline #1 - April 1 (notes between April 14 - 21)

 

Cycle 2

-April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

-May 7, 14, 21, 28

-June 4, 11, 18 (no meeting on the 25th)

(-Thurs.,  June 20 - Sunday, June 23: Live Los Angeles Mini-Retreat)

-Deadline #2 - June 25 (notes by July 15)

-Summer Vacation - June 25 - July 15

 

Cycle 3

-July 16, 23, 30

-August 6, 13, 20, 27

-Labor Day vacation - no meetings Sept 3 & 10

-September 17, 24

(-September 25 - 29: Live 4-Night Wisconsin Retreat (tentatively scheduled)

-Deadline 3 - Oct. 1 (notes by Oct 21)

 

Cycle 4

-October 8, 15, 22, 29

(-October 19 & 20: Online Mini-Retreat #2)

-November 5, 12, 19  (no meeting on the 26th)

-December 3, 10, 17

-Deadline 4 - Dec 17 (notes by January 5)


 2025:

-(January 7, cycle 1 begins for new students)

-Year 2 alumni groups meet the 2nd Thursday of every month

Writing Classes, Consulting, Coaching, Career Support for the Screenwriter

Please reach us at max@thestoryfarm.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.

The Professional Program is for screenwriters with experience - plainly speaking. You do not need to have sold, optioned, or produced material in the past. We do, however, expect you to have completed at least three full projects (TV or Feature) prior to applying. Writers with more than three finished projects, contest accolades, and some amount of professional experience will be preferred. The Story Farm will put emphasis on the amount of time spent and previous education when considering your application. With that said, however, a dedicated writer with a strong voice and willingness to devote the next 12 months to education, improvement, and supporting your fellow Program writers will be strongly considered.


Please first email max@thestoryfarm.org to inquire about applying before sending ANY material to Max Timm. Please consider these questions before inquiring:

1) are you ready and willing to spend at least ten hours per week for a full year to your writing and education?

2) will you be able to attend every Tuesday night class/group meeting? (It's OK if you are occasionally absent, but there will be an expectation to attend.)

3) will you be supportive, optimistic and helpful to and for your fellow writers, and are you willing to read and give notes on your fellow writers' material?

4) can you realistically afford the price of this Professional Program?

Once the answers to these questions are deemed appropriate, Max will then ask you to send a list of loglines for all of your finished projects, as well as loglines for projects you have yet to develop. He will also ask you to send a basic list of accomplishments, achievements, and/or personal background and experience (no more than a paragraph). Finally, he will ask for the first 10 pages of any script as a writing sample. A decision on your acceptance will be made within less than five business days.

Note: do NOT send any additional material other than what is requested. It will not be read.


Yes...but (there is always a but). We have extremely high expectations for Professional Program writers. If a writer is accepted into the Program, we expect that writer to remain enrolled for the full year of classes and group sessions, and to hit each of the four script deadlines. We also expect that writer to remain an active and supportive alum in year two of the Program. We are ONLY looking for writers who expect to be pursuing their screenwriting career for the rest of their lives.


This is where The Story Farm will have to take a strong stance. We do not offer refunds for this program for any reason or at any time. Whether you pay for the Program upfront in one big lump sum, or if you are paying on a monthly payment plan, there is no refunding of money spent for any reason. We will not convert what you spent into or for other consulting services. The primary reason for this hard stance is due to holding our Program writers to the highest of standards. We will devote our time and efforts to developing you and your career, and we expect the same in return. In terms of dropping out of the Program, yes. You can drop out of the Program at any time for any reason. The Story Farm will discuss with you your reasons for removing yourself from the Program before releasing you from your commitment. Again, however, there will not be any refunding of your payment or payments.


The Story Farm does not guarantee that every single writer enrolled in the Professional Program will have their screenplays or TV series read or considered by any industry professional for purposes of market or business consideration. The Story Farm does not act as an agent or manager for, or producer on any of your material. The Program writer retains all rights to his/her creative material forever. The Story Farm will involve industry professionals when The Story Farm determines the writer and/or the writer's project(s) is ready to be read and considered if and when an industry professional's creative mandate fits the writer or writer's project(s). Our aim within the Professional Program is to help writers find representation, place highly in contests, and/or set up a project with a producer, however this can not be guaranteed. Any service that guarantees industry access to any or all writers is not being truthful to its members or clients.


interested in applying?

Dedicate your year to education, development, and community. Let us and your fellow peers keep you on track, motivated, and disciplined. Contact Max through the form below if you would like to inquire about enrollment. Deadline to enroll is December 1, 2023.

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The Story Farm and Max Timm thanks you.


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