Come imagine new worlds with us, apply by April 13th!
Come imagine new worlds with us, apply by April 13th!
THE ART OF “WHAT IF”: A SEMINAR IN WRITING SCi-FI AND FANTASY FOR FILM TELEVISION AT THE KESEY FARM
Led by Ron Moore, David Weddle, Michael Nankin, & Bradley Thompson
When
Memorial Day Weekend
Saturday, May 24 to Monday, May 26, 2025
Who
Led by Ron Moore and fellow writers and producers of For All Mankind, Star Trek, and Battlestar Galactica with special guest Katee Sackhoff! This workshop is open to anyone writing science fiction and/or fantasy.
What
An intimate, intensive three-day workshop focusing on writing science fiction and fantasy for film and television. Through a series of lectures, screenings, creative exercises, and conversations, participants will learn first hand how shows like For All Mankind, Star Trek, and Battlestar Galactica were written and created and how they might apply these techniques to deepen, develop, and expand on their own projects.
The workshop will be held during the day from 10am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday, and 10am – 6pm Monday. Healthy lunch will be included on Saturday and Sunday, and lunch and dinner Monday.
Concept
Ronald D. Moore -- creator of such classic television series as Battlestar Galactica, Outlander, and For All Mankind – has said that television writers are people who sit in a room together and ask: “What if?...”
It is by asking that question and then answering it over and over and over again that character arcs, stories, and entire television series are created.
For All Mankind -- an acclaimed show on Apple TV -- was born when Moore asked: “What if the Russians beat the Americans to the moon in 1969? How would that have changed the trajectory of the space race? How would it have changed politics and societies across the globe? How would it change the individual lives of people in the American space program?”
“What if the Russians landed a woman on the moon in 1969? What if President Nixon then ordered NASA to recruit women astronauts decades before they joined the agency in reality?”
“What if an alpha male astronaut in the Apollo program marries a female pilot who decides to become an astronaut herself? What if she surpasses him in both skill and achievements? How would that affect their marriage? How would it affect their kids?”
This series of “what if” questions created five seasons of For All Mankind.
Structure
In this seminar, Ron Moore will help participants understand the art of running a writers room and writing for television.
In addition to sessions with Moore, participants will attend the following workshops:
FINDING THE STORY WITHIN
David Weddle will discuss how writers draw upon their deepest inner conflicts and emotions for story material, and how to make even the most outlandish premise profoundly personal.
BREAKING STORY
Bradley Thompson will demonstrate the craft of outlining an episode of television. Thompson will use a white board and lead a discussion to illustrate how the disparate ideas of a group can be distilled into a compelling dramatic narrative.
SCRIPT ANALYSIS
Micheal Nankin will show how a director analyses a script and devises strategies to bring the material to life. He will discuss ways to enhance and elevate a teleplay to bring new dimensions to it that are not on the page. He will help aspiring writers understand the very important collaboration process between writers and directors.
About the leaders
Ron Moore is the creator of such classic television series as Battlestar Galactica, Outlander, and For All Mankind. He won a Peabody Award for his work re-imagining Battlestar Galactica. He is also served as writer and executive producer of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
David Weddle has served as a writer/producer for such television series as: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Battlestar Galactica, CSI, Falling Skies, The Strain. He is currently a writer/executive producer for the Apple series, For All Mankind.
Michael Nankin is a film and television writer, director and producer. He was a regular director on Battlestar Galactica and has been nominated for the Humanitas Prize for writing. His recent credits include The Good Lord Bird, Billy the Kid, Dark Winds and Hell on Wheels.
Bradley Thompson is an American television writer and producer known for episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Twilight Zone, Battlestar Galactica, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Falling Skies, and The Strain with writing partner David Weddle. They are currently writing for the series For All Mankind.
Where
Classes will be held in the historic country home of author Ken Kesey in Pleasant Hill, Oregon, twenty minutes from downtown Eugene, Oregon. It is a quirky old barn house with a small flight of stairs and limited steps inside, but assistance can be provided upon request. Classes will take place both inside and outside.
Tuition
Tuition is $1200.
A non-refundable deposit of $600 is due by Monday, April 21 to hold your spot.
A final deposit of $600 is due by Monday, May 5.
If you are in need of financial assistance, please write to us at keseyfarm@gmail.com.
Tuition is payable by *check mailed to:
Kesey Farm Project
85829 Ridgeway Road
Pleasant Hill, OR 97455
If you are unable to pay by check, you can pay through our website donation button here, but please add an additional 3% ($36) to your tuition to help cover processing fees.
Other Important details
Writers from all educational backgrounds and career stages are welcome to apply.
Please note that all participants will need to provide their own off-site, overnight lodging, and transportation to the Eugene/Springfield area. The Farm is located 20 minutes SE of Eugene, so we recommended looking for lodging in the Eugene or Springfield area. Upon advanced notice, we can help coordinate rides for those in need between Eugene/Springfield and the Farm at the start and end of each workshop day.
If you are in need of financial assistance or have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to write to us at keseyfarm@gmail.com.
Apply
APPLY HERE NOW!
Applications due by midnight PST Sunday, April 13.
Applicants will be notified by Monday, April 14.
Questions?
Email us at keseyfarm@gmail.com