Aaron Sorkin MasterClass Review
Aaron Sorkin — the writer behind The West Wing, The Social Network, A Few Good Men, and Moneyball — teaches screenwriting in one of MasterClass’s most popular courses. If you’ve ever wanted to write dialogue that crackles or scenes that build tension through conversation, this is the course for it.
Course Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Instructor | Aaron Sorkin |
| Platform | MasterClass |
| Lessons | 35 video lessons |
| Total Runtime | ~8 hours |
| Focus | Screenwriting, dialogue, story structure |
| Workbook | Yes (writing exercises and script analysis) |
What You’ll Learn
- Story ideas: How to find and develop ideas worth writing — Sorkin’s “intention and obstacle” framework
- Character development: Building characters through what they want and what stands in their way
- Dialogue: The art of writing dialogue that reveals character, advances plot, and sounds natural while being heightened
- Scene writing: Structuring individual scenes for maximum dramatic impact
- Script structure: Three-act structure, pacing, and the mechanics of screenwriting format
- Television writing: Differences between film and TV writing, pilot scripts, writers’ rooms
- The writing life: Dealing with rejection, writer’s block, and the realities of Hollywood
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Who Is This For?
- Aspiring screenwriters who want to learn from one of the most successful writers in film and television
- Fiction writers who want to improve their dialogue and scene construction
- Film students looking for practical instruction beyond academic theory
- Sorkin fans who want to understand the craft behind their favorite shows and films
This course is dialogue-heavy (as you’d expect from Sorkin). If you’re looking for visual storytelling, cinematography, or directing, look elsewhere.
Pros and Cons
What Works
- 35 lessons (~8 hours) is one of the most substantial MasterClasses available
- Sorkin’s “intention and obstacle” framework is a genuinely useful tool for any writer
- Dialogue lessons are exceptional — he breaks down exactly why certain lines work
- Uses his own scripts (West Wing, Social Network) as teaching examples
- TV writing section is rare and valuable content not widely available elsewhere
What Doesn’t
- Heavy on Sorkin’s specific style — may not suit all types of screenwriting
- No feedback on your writing
- Assumes familiarity with film and TV storytelling
- Some advice is specific to Hollywood’s system and less applicable to indie filmmaking
Verdict
Aaron Sorkin’s MasterClass is one of the most content-rich courses on the platform. At 35 lessons, it goes significantly deeper than most MasterClasses. The dialogue instruction alone is worth the subscription — Sorkin is one of the best dialogue writers alive, and he’s generous with specific, actionable craft advice.
For aspiring screenwriters, this is a standout. For writers in other forms, the storytelling, character, and dialogue principles transfer broadly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aaron Sorkin’s MasterClass good for beginners?
It’s accessible to beginners but most valuable for people who’ve already tried writing. Sorkin assumes you know what a screenplay looks like. If you’re brand new to writing, consider pairing this with a basics course on screenwriting format.
How does this compare to Neil Gaiman’s MasterClass?
Sorkin focuses on screenwriting and dialogue. Gaiman focuses on fiction writing and storytelling. Both are excellent — if you write both forms, take both.
Will this course help me get a screenwriting job?
It teaches the craft, not the business. Sorkin shares honest advice about Hollywood, but getting hired depends on your scripts, networking, and persistence. The course will make your scripts better, which is the foundation.
