Advanced Screenwriting

Catalog description

In this workshop class, each student will focus on moving from a very general pitch and story outline, to a more substantial treatment, to at least the first full act of a feature-length screenplay (approximately 30 pages). Weekly writing assignments will sharpen students’ skills on screenwriting elements including: visual storytelling; incorporation of backstory; establishing opportunities for growth and gain for your characters; foreshadowing, plant and payoff; the integration of main plot and subplot; and making dialogue distinct and actor-friendly. We will also look at examples from screenplays and films of successful (and less successful) instances of screenwriting strategy and execution.