LIVE ONLINE COURSE

ANIMATION SCRIPTWRITING

Dates: 21 JUL 2026 - 27 AUG 2026

Duration: 6 WEEKS
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS
5 PM PST / 8 PM EST

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DAVID N. WEISS
EX DISNEY, NICKELODEON, DREAMWORKS

LIVE ONLINE COURSE

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Delve into storytelling essentials. Build a solid foundation in narrative structure, character development, and visual storytelling.

Learn directly from Emmy-nominated David N. Weiss, who wrote for Shrek 2, Jimmy Neutron, The Smurfs, and Rugrats. Gain real industry insights on portfolio development to get your foot in the door.

THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU, IF...

YOU ARE AN ASPIRING ANIMATION WRITER

You'll learn how to create engaging stories, understand what studios and networks want in scripts, and pick up practical tips for pitching and writing for TV, film, or branded content. It’s all about turning your passion into a career and helping you stand out.
YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL WORKING IN AN ANIMATION STUDIO

This course is perfect for pros like storyboard artists and animators who want to sharpen their storytelling and scriptwriting skills. You'll learn how to nail character development and story structure, making it easier to share ideas with your team, pitch projects, and take your career to the next level.
YOU WANT TO SHIFT INTO ANIMATION AS A SCREENWRITER OR A FREELANCER

For writers making the jump to animation, the course opens doors to the market by teaching you storytelling tricks that set animation apart. You'll create a pitch that grabs attention and learn how to network and land gigs in this specific industry.

HARD & SOFT SKILLS

Across 12 dynamic classes, you'll explore story structure, genre, dialogue, character design, visual thinking, and more — all enhanced by hands-on workshops and practical, career-focused assignments.

INDUSTRY GUIDANCE

We’ll teach you the skills needed to thrive in the industry. You'll gain the tools to build a strong portfolio of scripts and pitches, navigate studio structures, and network with key industry players.

REAL PORTFOLIO CASE

Develop your own unique film or TV concept. You’ll build the story, discuss characters, and analyze essential filmmaking elements, culminating in a final pitch to bring your vision to life.

DAVID N. WEISS

LinkedIn Profile

Emmy-nominated Writer & Film Director
Wrote for family classics like Shrek 2, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, The Smurfs, and Rugrats, with his films grossing over $2.3 billion worldwide
Co-wrote and directed Rugrats Chanukah, contributed to TV shows like Cybill and Mission Hill, and co-wrote Are We There Yet? and Clockstoppers
Directed talents like Henry Winkler and J.K. Simmons, and penned the screenplay for All Dogs Go to Heaven
Member of the Motion Picture Academy and former VP of the Writers Guild of America, he's also authored three children's books, including Eloise in Hollywood

TUE (7/21), 5 PM PST/8 PM EST

Introduction to Animation Storytelling

FADE IN. Welcome to your first class! Begin your journey by familiarizing yourself with the art of storytelling and the history and culture of the animation medium. Get your creative juices flowing with an interactive discussion of your ideas.

The art of storytelling
History & culture of animation & screenwriting
Live action vs. animation
Why animation?
WORKSHOP: Brainstorming session - discuss original story ideas for feedback

ASSIGNMENT 1: Apply feedback from the workshop to original ideas.

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THU (7/23), 5 PM PST/8 PM EST

Story Structure

Structure is the building block of any great story. Delve into core concepts from three-act structure, plot points, and the turning point to resolution. You will also explore effective scene sequencing and get a few tips and tricks for doling.

Structure: core concepts
Anatomy of story
Doling tips
Film structural analysis
MINI-WORKSHOP: Break a film and a scene down to their core structures

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TUE (7/28), 5 PM PST/8 PM EST

Research and Genre

To create an intriguing and immersive world, you need to understand it! Dive into effective practices and conduct genre research through immersion. Go one step further and discover how to subvert expectations in stories.

Effective research practices
Genre research
Subverting expectations
Tone across story types

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THU (7/30), 5 PM PST/8 PM EST

Character Design and Development

Who is your character? What makes them ‘tick’? This class will help you answer those questions as you gain a deep understanding of what drives a character, from motivations and intentions to conflicts. Learn how to further enhance characterization and convey subtext through dialogue.

Character motivations, intentions, obligations, and conflicts
Enhancing characterization
Conveying subtext through dialogue
EXERCISE: Look at clips of Tim Allen: Galaxy Quest vs Toy Story

ASSIGNMENT 2: Draw up a character profile using the knowledge gained from the class

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TUE (8/4), 5 PM PST/8 PM EST

Adapting Stories & Creating Consistency

When it comes to character arcs, consistency is key! Learn how to develop consistent character arcs and backstories across multiple episodes. You will also explore management of ongoing subplots and world development across a series.

Feature films and serialized & episodic formats
Consistent character arcs & backstory
Ongoing subplots & world development
Episodic stories & season-wide narratives
Story types: scope & scale

ASSIGNMENT 3: Change the format of your original story concepts. E.g. feature film to TV.

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TUE (8/11), 5 PM PST/8 PM EST

Dialogue & Narration

Delve into the uses of dialogue, how to make it compelling and believable, and the differences between dialogue and exposition. Further, explore when to and not to use narration and how to choose an effective narrator.

Dialogue: purpose & use
Believable & compelling dialogue
Dialogue vs. exposition
Animation dialogue vs live-action
When to use narration & choosing a narrator

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THU (8/13), 5 PM PST/8 PM EST

WORKSHOP: Writing Scenes

Get those creative juices flowing as you complete two exercises: first, rewrite bad scenes using improv pitches, and second, write scenes from an actual movie.

ASSIGNMENT 4: Write dialogue for an original animated character, focusing on the character’s design, personality, and the overall tone of the animation.

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TUE (8/18), 5 PM PST/8 PM EST

Visual Thinking & Creating Vivid Settings

How do you translate the visual image in your head to the page? Discover how to compress large descriptions, write engaging action, and how to communicate through objects.

Compressing descriptions
Showing vs. telling
Writing action & knowing your world
Communication through objects
Setting tone & mood

ASSIGNMENT 5: You will: 1.) Write a detailed description of a scene from your original story, then 2.) rewrite the scene using concise language.

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TUE (8/25), 5 PM PST/8 PM EST

Pitching and Selling Animated Projects

The elevator pitch: quick, concise, compelling. Become a master of grabbing attention with loglines and hooks and tailoring pitches to specific audiences. Learn what studios and networks look for and how to use character sketches and concept art as visual assistants.

Developing strong pitches
What studios & networks look for
Tailoring pitches to different audiences
Visual aids

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THU (8/27), 5 PM PST/8 PM EST

Career Prep for Animation Writers

It’s the final episode! This class will prepare you for the animation industry, from exploring different career paths, developing a strong portfolio, and interviewing tips to building connections by attending workshops and online platforms. Now it’s your time to fly! ROLL END CREDITS.

Animation industry landscape
Portfolio development
Professional networking
Interview tips
Final Q&A

FINAL PORTFOLIO ASSIGNMENT:
Create a pitch document for original concepts. Include an introduction, synopsis, discussion of characters, filmmaking elements, and conclusion.

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What our students say

Abby Kay

Aspiring scriptwriter

"This course was an incredible experience! As a self-taught writer, learning directly from David N. Weiss completely transformed how I see my work and strengthened my story structure and character development. The interactive classes gave me practical tools I could use right away, and David's personalized feedback was invaluable. I highly recommend this to anyone ready to elevate their animation writing to a professional level!"

Ernesto Bautista

Animation student

"The instructor, David, was fantastic, he was very animated and his personality truly shined through in each session. My only constructive feedback for ELVTR is regarding networking. I wish there was a way to stay connected with the class and alumni built directly into the platform. It's nice that they offer a separate Discord server, but having an integrated feature to help us stay connected would make the experience even better. Highly recommended overall"

Priyang Davey

Independent Creative Director

"The Animation Scriptwriting course by David Weiss has really changed how I look at writing stories. Being an ideas man, this course really helped me structure my thoughts in ways that breathed life into the crazy starting points that would naturally come to me. It made me ask myself questions that I had not thought of before, and David proposed solutions that really worked for me. Most importantly, it has made me into a better storyteller, a skill that I can use beyond just screenplay writing. Despite being in India, this course has a type of universality and foundational learning that any aspiring or established writer can use to take themselves to that next level they always look to get to."

Krissa Ng

3d Artist

"Having worked with David Weiss before, I knew he was a brilliant leader, but this course gave me the rare, dedicated space to truly dive into storytelling. David's decades of experience translate into practical, structural lessons rather than just theory. Plus, the support from his team, the amazing guest speakers, and the community was top-notch. The results speak for themselves: within months of graduating, my script won awards! I highly recommend this for anyone serious about a career in writing or directing."

Olly Ritchie

Filmmaker and Screenwriter

"It was a very fun course and I loved coming early to every class and leaving late! David and His enthusiasm and knowledge combined into fantastic stories that provided examples and hope about where we could go in the future."

Damien Nguyen

Aspiring scriptwriter

"The Animation Scriptwriting course was a great way to refine my current skill set as well as learn other tricks of the trade. The most meaningful experience... was the enthusiasm of the course instructors... along with the knowledgeable insight from various professional guest speakers. I would encourage this class to anyone who would like to begin their journey in animation writing."

Joseph Paragona

Production Creator

"The couple of times I asked questions, the ELVTR team was responsive and helpful! David, Steven, and Lola were all amazing. Steven would even come early to 'Office Hours' and stay late to answer any questions. Keep doing what you're doing with sincerity, humor, and empathy!"

Colby Lewis

Animation student

"David is incredible. He’s so wise and personable. Learning to write characters and dialogue has been really good for me. This course was amazing, it has definitely bumped me in the right direction."

Liam McGinley

High School Student

"David Weiss is an incredible mentor and extremely enjoyable to learn from. I want to shout out Steven Roy for fixing a plot hole in my pitch and story as a whole."

Elany Peña

Freelance Artist

"Really enjoyed this class! I’m gonna miss it. It's incredible how David was patient and encouraging, he was while not hesitating to push or challenge us. I need more classes! Not really sure what, but it was a lot of fun and wish it lasted longer!"

Garrett Floyd

Freelance Screenwriter

"The whole class was amazing, I learned so much from David and Steven both, things I never knew I needed to learn. This course genuinely helped me so much to grow as a writer. I was honestly incredibly impressed. David knows so much about writing and the industry and it shows. He could genuinely teach for hours about a subject and fill it with real, tangible content to learn from."

Mikael Khalil

Freelance Writer

"He's a wonderfully bubbly guy. Very encouraging, very kind, and seemed incredibly enthusiastic about helping us. He seems like he truly believes in us, and I appreciate that a lot. Nothing but love and respect for David, a brilliantly kind individual. Very clear and concise!"

Peyton Wright

Aspiring scriptwriter

"I loved this course, worth every penny. David and Steven were an amazing team: engaging, inspiring, and genuinely funny. The advice was priceless, and I only wish we’d had more time. Saying goodbye was honestly sad."

Connor Schmidt

Technical Writer

"What did I appreciate most about our instructor?… His passion for the subject matter and willingness to share his knowledge and wisdom in order to equip and empower his students."

Monique Hayes

Freelance Writer

"I believe David knew how to teach us all, even though we came from different backgrounds and had different skill levels. I feel this is a rare quality, especially when it's a six-week class. Both beginners and professionals will gain a lot from this course, and I appreciated his specific wisdom, patience, and encouragement."

Sydney Battle

Elementary School Music Teacher

"I deeply enjoyed this course! It was super fun and informative! The class helped me mold my cartoon idea into a professional pitch and to iron out so many details about it that I didn't know to do prior. I went from having a simple show concept and having zero idea how to map it out, to having a concrete marketable concept and confidently writing out episodes for it! The teachers were engaging and detailed in face to face conversations and when reviewing the homework assignments! I could tell easily that David loves his career, he was passionate about sharing his knowledge, and actually cared that we grew from the class. I encourage all aspiring animation creators to take this class, the knowledge and experience will truly elevate yourself as a creator!"

Nicole Brettell

"I'm enjoying this class and can't believe it is almost finished! Time certainly flew... and yet, I have learned a lot in this class!

This class has really allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and learn more about screenwriting for animated films by having me rewatch films I have seen and films I haven't watch before for research (in fact, my experiences in the class had given me the courage to view 'Anastasia', an animated film that I wanted to watch but never got to see it.)"

Lee Grisby

"I've really loved this experience. As somebody who doesn't know many creatives in their personal life, it's been amazing to contact people for feedback and inspiration. This program feels like a genuine community, and being within a community is vital for a young writer like myself. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity."

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ANIMATION SCRIPTWRITING

THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU, IF...

YOU ARE AN ASPIRING ANIMATION WRITER

YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL WORKING IN AN ANIMATION STUDIO

YOU WANT TO SHIFT INTO ANIMATION AS A SCREENWRITER OR A FREELANCER

Our students work in 1600+ companies worldwide

Instructor's Works

What our students say