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The Power of Short Story IP—From Concept to Execution

November 10, 2026
Short stories are emerging as essential IP for an intro to the studio system, and some of our most iconic films began with only a handful of pages. Using short fiction references from Stephen King and more, this course explores how writers can recognize the cinematic engine (and core dilemma) inside a short story and to brainstorm or refine an idea of their own. 

Book Pipeline

Book Pipeline connects writers to publishers, agents, and the film industry through competitions and workshops, providing hands-on support to bridge the gap between emerging authors and the industry since 2014.

Script Pipeline

Script Pipeline connects writers with producers, agents, and managers, facilitating over $8 million in sales through competitions and ongoing industry support, helping launch major films and secure high-profile representation since 1999.

Film Pipeline

Film Pipeline connects filmmakers and writers with agencies and executives, focusing on diverse storytelling and playing an active role in developing and promoting projects, reviewing thousands of submissions annually since its launch in 2018.

The Power of Short Story IP—From Concept to Execution

Scheduled

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Time

7 pm EST / 4 pm PST

Duration

2 Hours

Cost

$35

Subjects

Publishing, Screenwriting

Topic

Craft

Short stories are emerging as essential IP for an intro to the studio system, and some of our most iconic films began with only a handful of pages.

Using short fiction references from Stephen King and more, this course explores how writers can recognize the cinematic engine (and core dilemma) inside a short story and to brainstorm or refine an idea of their own. 

We’ll examine how great stories create momentum, and what you might need to take out a pitch after generating interest in your story.

Attendees will learn to identify the story’s central source of tension, discover what its characters truly want, and use escalation, and cause and effect to create a story that moves through emotion instead relying solely on plot, and how short stories remain a powerful way to get to the core of your movie. 

Additionally we will tackle developing a strong thematic question, POV, and choosing the type of story that best suits your premise, tackle how to work in a compressed page environment (considering all the elements of a feature that actually need to be left out), how the reversal can also be viewed as a midpoint or act break when brainstorming the moment of reversal for your own piece, and how high concept/ big hook may actually take you further than literary voice when it comes to writing for adaptable film IP.

You will leave with ...

  • a workable logline and
  • key moments of your story identified
  • a glance at a pitch book for pitching a short story
  • knowing what you will need if you plan to expand the story into a feature or TV idea

Lindsay's most recent short story BRING A FRIEND can be found in The Sweater's latest short story compilation. Available here.

Questions about registration? Check our handy FAQ page.

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Host

Lindsay Stidham
Lindsay Stidham holds an MFA in screenwriting from the American Film Institute and teaches screenwriting at USC's School of Cinematic Arts (and has taught workshops for Disney and Sundance Collab). She has overseen two screenplays from script to screen as writer/ producer: SPOONER, starring Matthew Lillard (SLAMDANCE), and DOUCHEBAG (SUNDANCE), both released theatrically. Lindsay is […]

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Upcoming Events

The Power of Short Story IP—From Concept to Execution

November 10, 2026
Short stories are emerging as essential IP for an intro to the studio system, and some of our most iconic films began with only a handful of pages. Using short fiction references from Stephen King and more, this course explores how writers can recognize the cinematic engine (and core dilemma) inside a short story and to brainstorm or refine an idea of their own. 

Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting for Writers

November 18, 2026
Hosted by goal strategist, author, and The Book Proposal Expert Debra Eckerling, this session will introduce you to The DEB Method®, her system for goal-setting simplified. DEB stands for Determine Your Mission, Explore Your Options, and Brainstorm Your Path. Writers will define their goals, prioritize projects, and create a plan to turn their vision into reality.

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January 6, 2027
In this focused session, screenwriting career coach Lee Jessup explore where the industry finds itself at the start of this new year, discuss the opportunities that are out there, and identify what steps you should take in order to make the career strides your screenwriting deserves. 

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Symposium, presented by Pipeline Artists, is a year-round virtual conference empowering creatives with honest, no-nonsense guidance across the arts. Through seminars, industry panels, and Town Hall discussions on screenwriting, filmmaking, publishing, and career-building, Symposium offers grounded advice from working professionals to help you forge your own unique path.

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