Artist's Way | Story Summit

The Artist's Way
A six-week live, interactive workshop taught by produced screenwriter,
script consultant, and protégé of Billy Wilder
Rex McGee
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26. Oct. 3, 10, 2023
8 p.m. - 10 p.m. Eastern (5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Pacific)

"This class exceeded my expectations without a doubt! Rex is a talented teacher, creating an atmosphere of compassion, caring and humor...making everyone feel safe and able to express their deepest creative fears." — Aggie

"I absolutely LOVED The Artist’s Way with Rex McGee. He is wonderful. He offers his time whether it’s in or out of class and encourages communication. He really helped me get out of my head and push myself outside of my comfort zone. I would recommend this class 100%. If you are thinking about it, think no more! You NEED this class!" — Nancy

"This was such a wonderful, inspiring class. Rex provided excellent ideas and encouragement. I would recommend this class to any writer, no matter what stage they are at in their writing journey." — Isabel

"Week 1: 'What am I doing in this class?' Week 6: 'I never want this class to end!' Bravo Rex, Bravo!" — Allison P.

Since it was first unveiled, The Artist's Way phenomenon has ignited the creativity in authors such as Elizabeth Gilbert and Tim Ferriss, along with countless readers, guiding them on an artistic journey to discover a profound connection to both writing process and intent.

Through Julia Cameron's innovative methods, readers can identify barriers and stress points that could be inhibiting their artistic expression and find ways to alleviate these obstructions, thereby paving the way for self-development and exploration.

Under the tutelage of experienced Story Summit teacher and screenwriter Rex McGee, participants are introduced to key tools for creative rejuvenation, including The Morning Pages—a daily practice of three pages of spontaneous writing—and The Artist Date, a reserved time to cultivate the inner artist.

Marthe Keller, Henry Fonda, Billy Wilder, Rex McGee — a scene from Wilder’s FEDORA.

Both seasoned artists and newcomers grapple with the same obstacles. We frequently find excuses to divert ourselves from living a fully creative life, filling our existence with distractions and individuals who maintain chaos, obscuring our focus on ourselves and our work. We procrastinate, indulge in excess, and let technology dominate our time.

We resist, avoid, and defer until we can pinpoint fault and rationalize our genuine fear of embracing an artistic life.

Fears of looking foolish paralyze our productivity; perfectionism inhibits our initiation or completion of projects. The intense longing to be exceptional artists often hinders us from becoming artists at all. We may be held back by the idea that it's too late or that our potential has vanished, seeking any means to numb the ache.

Have life's responsibilities—like raising a family or starting a business—overshadowed your prior artistic passions? Have you lost the brave creativity of your youth, when no artistic challenge seemed insurmountable? Are you eager to tap into that enthusiasm and innovation once more? This course, grounded in Julia Cameron's celebrated book The Artist's Way, will guide you back to the creativity you once cherished.

This engaging six-week workshop delves into an array of potent techniques and habits that fuel passion and generate fresh ideas. The curriculum includes:

LEARN THAT IT IS SAFE TO DREAM. We often feign that pursuing our true desires is challenging. In reality, it's harder to evade the countless opportunities that await. With clarity comes transformation.

THE METHOD OF THE MAGIC. Discover how to identify, foster, and shield your inner artist, moving past emotional pain and artistic barriers.

RECOGNIZING POSSIBILITIES. As we grow more resilient, our paralyzing fears diminish, leading to more spontaneous living. We become less dependent on constant affirmation and enable those around us to give love freely.

IDENTIFYING INSPIRATION. Art isn't about fabrication; it's about revelation. Rather than inventing, we learn to tune in.

PROTECTING YOUR NEWFOUND ARTIST FROM HARM. A blocked artist isn't lazy but hindered. Procrastination is fear, not indolence. The pressure to be great can thwart the very process of creation. You'll acquire tools to take creative leaps, learning the courage required to create.

AUTONOMY AS AN ARTIST. For an artist, self-esteem stems from the act of creation. Wealth is not a necessity, but substantial support is. Neglecting to nourish our inner artist can lead to a loss of vital parts of ourselves.

“Julia Cameron invented the way people renovate the creative soul.”

— The New York Times

“Without The Artist's Way, there would have been no Eat, Pray, Love.”

— Elizabeth Gilbert

"This is a book that addresses a delicate and complex subject. For those who will use it, it is a valuable tool to get in touch with their own creativity."

— Martin Scorsese

Faculty

Rex McGee

Instructor Rex McGee has sold more than twenty scripts for film and television since graduating from the legendary USC film school. His credits include Warner Bros’ Pure Country, starring George Strait and Lesley Ann Warren, and Hallmark’s Where There’s a Will starring Marion Ross and Keith Carradine.

McGee worked as a Hollywood story analyst for United Artists, Embassy Pictures and The Ladd Company. A member of the Writers Guild of America, West, Rex has collaborated on screenplays with directors Jon Amiel, John Putch, Peter Masterson, Robert Mulligan, and Billy Wilder.

Rex teaches onsite screenwriting workshops at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas.

Registration fee: $299 for twelve hours of instruction

EVENING CLASS

September 5, 12, 19, 26

October 3, 10, 2023

8 to 10 PM Eastern (5 to 7 PM Pacific)

Please note: Our classes are designed specifically for live participation, so your attendance is important. If you need to miss a class for any reason, per request you’ll receive a passcode-protected link to watch the recordings after the course is over.