Second Draft: Screenwriting for TV Series

This four-day program will see participants bring their scripts through the process of development via instruction, workshopping, as well as group and one-on-one mentorship opportunities. This program will prepare the participant to bring in other stakeholders and move their project forward as a business opportunity. This program is presented by Ontario Creates.

After finishing this workshop, participants will have:

developed characters, their dramatic conflicts and emotional needs, and worthy antagonists
a sharpened understanding of screenplay structure, worldbuilding, theme, tone, conflict and dialogue
an understanding of dramatic structure and the key dramatic question in their script
an understanding of how to give and receive constructive criticism and move their script forward

This course is an introduction to the techniques of screenwriting with an emphasis on dramatic structure, visual language, and character development. This workshop introduces participants to the fundamentals of screenwriting through speaker-led instruction, case studies, exercises and class-led workshopping of participants’ work.

This program will be held IN PERSON ONLY.

There is a bursary for this workshop. Learn more about the Melissa Crozier Writers Bursary here.

Offered annually over the next three years, the Melissa Crozier Writers Bursary will award one (1) recipient with a full bursary to participate in Second Draft: Screenwriting for TV Series, a flagship four-day professional development program from WIFT+ Toronto, that will take place from October 8 - October 29, 2026. The Bursary application deadline is Sunday, September 13, 2026 (11:59 pm).

In addition to full tuition for the program, the bursary includes:

A $500 honorarium
Two tickets to the 2027 WIFT+ Toronto Reception@TIFF
A one-year WIFT+ Toronto membership

*WIFT+ Toronto will facilitate the delivery of all prizes.

This bursary is established in memory of Melissa Crozier, founder of Techno Medic Ltd. Melissa’s love for film, especially screenwriting, drew her into the industry and inspired the creation of Techno Medic. Today, Techno Medic is proudly run by Melissa’s family, who have continued the business in her memory, and have established this bursary to support and uplift the next generation of screenwriters.

Click button below to learn more about the Melissa Crozier Writers Bursary.

INSTRUCTOR: ANNE FENN

Anne Fenn is an award-winning writer, story editor, former TV development executive and teacher. Anne has been a Professor of Comedy (yes, it's a thing) at Toronto's Humber Polytechnic for 16+ years, and recently collaborated on "Voiceless: A Musical," which was produced in Bend, Oregon in 2025. Anne is also known for her occasional comedic performances - including standup comedy, short film roles, and satirical songs.

As a writer Anne has been nominated for two National Magazine Awards and was a finalist in the 2019 Penguin Random House/Westwood Creative Artists MFA Contest. She was awarded a one-month paid residency in the Literary Journalism Program at the Banff Centre for the Arts, and received an Asian Television Award for her Singapore sitcom writing. Her short film, Topic of Cancer, premiered at TIFF and won Best Short Film at the Toronto Latino Film Festival.

In 2018, Anne earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Nonfiction (King’s/Dalhousie). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and is a graduate of Norman Jewison's Canadian Film Centre.

Anne lives in Toronto with the award-winning editor, James Bredin. They have no children that they know of.

Session Breakdown

You and Your Story

Get comfortable talking about yourself and your project
Why are you the best person to tell this story? Why is now the best time? Who is your audience right now?
What do you love about this idea you have?
How can you move your project forward from here, and what help (creative and financial) do you need?
Understanding the elements of your bible and pitch (ex. title, synopsis, logline, format, genre, tagline) to help “paint the picture” and engage potential stakeholders

Themes and World Building

What is your genre or style?
Identifying who else might be interested
What do we respond to as humans? How can you make that work for you?
How will you be loyal to your audience?
What makes your story work within this theme?
Establishing rules within your world
World descriptions and comparisons
Visual language

Dramatic Structure

Understanding overall three-act dramatic structure
Understanding the concept of beats
Scene construction

Character Development and Dialogue

Character descriptions and identities
Building out your characters with creative, full and vibrant descriptions
Creating characters with values and direction
Character arcs and transformations to drive the story
Creating a character’s backstory and world views (i.e. “where they come from”)
Beginning characters’ relationships
Casting considerations or inﬂuences

Plot Design and Story Engines

What will move your story forward (sowing seeds and setting expectations?
What will impact upon your characters and force them to action (or inaction)?
How does this inﬂuence your story? How does it drive you to your denouement?
Wrapping up your loose ends in a fulﬁlling way
Building and sustaining tension

Playing Well With Others

Feeling comfortable workshopping with others
Team building (when you haven’t chosen your team)
Learning about trust, conﬁdentiality, and transparency (and how they work together)
Delivering and accepting constructive criticism

Second Draft: Screenwriting for TV Series

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DATES

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2026 Registration Fees

ELIGIBILITY

LOCATION

BURSARY INFORMATION

SESSIONS & INSTRUCTOR

INSTRUCTOR: ANNE FENN

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