Intermediate Fiction Writing Workshop: Screenwriting

Catalog description

In this course, intermediate creative writers will learn the craft of writing scripts for film and television. Students will continue to explore the elements of effective storytelling by writing and significantly revising loglines, outlines, and complete short screenplays. The course will combine in-depth analysis of classic and contemporary screenplays (including shorts, teleplays, and feature-length films) with lectures, writing exercises, and peer workshops. Topics will include dramatic structure, professional formatting and planning, and how to develop vividly compelling characters, scenes, conflict and dialogue. The aim of the course will not be to simply reinforce existing narrative principles but rather to test the validity of existing conventions. Throughout we will address the questions: What makes a story relevant, moving, thrilling, or meaningful? Why does this story need to be told visually? What makes a great script great? ENGL 625A may be taken more than once for credit, recommended with two different instructors. Students must fill out a Permission to Repeat an English Course For Credit form, available in the department office.