Screenwriting I

Catalog description

A course in narrative screenwriting focusing on the creative process of conceiving and fashioning film scripts that order experience into a meaningful and expressive narrative structure. During the semester students will be expected to learn to write original and creative pitches, outlines and scripts. A large part of classroom sessions will be conducted in a traditional writers' workshop structure, focusing on the presentation, discussion, and critiquing of written work. Scripts will be limited to short form work to encourage writing scripts for production in later classes. As a W course, particular attention will be paid to the process of writing from informal writing in the ideation stage to professional formats for final screenplays, with multiple drafts and peer and instructor feedback as key components of this process. Assessment is based on the progress of creative written work throughout the semester, as well as participation with the critiquing process, both in class discussions and in writing.