A 12-week class that provides the tricks and tools for prewriting, writing, and rewriting your complete feature-film screenplay.
Class contents may vary slightly from the following:
Week 1 – Analyze a couple produced films (getting into the groove) by breaking down:
- Genre classifications
- Character types based on what they do
- Three-act structure
- Boiling each film down to its premise
Week 2 – building an original story backbone:
- Premise
- Genre (why so important and common genre mistakes)
- Brainstorm imagery
- Protagonist (inner and outer journeys)
- Antagonist
Week 3 – Story development:
- Supporting characters
- Story/Logline
- Develop overall three-act structure and why this works
Week 4 – Outlining:
- Write the detailed treatment
- Scene mapping
- Scene transitions
Week 5 – Write Act 1 – Online Workshop:
- Establishing 1
- Escalation 1
- Evolution 1
- Escalation 2
Week 6 – Write Act 2a - Online Workshop:
- Evolution 2
- Pinch 1
- Escalation 3
Week 7 – Write Act 2b - Online Workshop:
- Evolution 3
- Pinch 2
- Escalation 4
Week 8 – Write Act 3 - Online Workshop:
- Evolution 4
- Escalation 5
- Establishing 2
Week 9 – Script feedback:
- Giving notes
- Taking notes
- Big Picture Edits (slug lines, character clarity, etc.)
Week 10 – Edit line-by-line:
- Pacing
- Dialogue editing
- Action lines editing
Week 11 – Professional coverage (understanding the story analyst perspective):
- How scripts are broken down and analyzed by professionals
- Writing professional coverage of each others’ scripts
- Logline Perfecting
Week 12 – Business of writing (incl. pitching):
- Getting reps
- Query letters
- Meet and greets
- Pitch meetings
- Pitch decks
Course Outcome:
In 12 weeks, each student who does the assignments will finish the class with a complete and edited screenplay.