Theory and practice of writing short scripts for film.

This course thoroughly introduces studying, learning, and practicing screenwriting techniques. We will learn about screenplay structure, analyze dramatic strategies in film, learn and apply correct script form, and creatively engage in the various stages of original scriptwriting.

THIS IS NOT A COURSE TO DEVELOP A FEATURE FILM SCRIPT OR A TELEVISION PILOT.

This is an advanced-level scriptwriting workshop for English majors. It includes intensive writing practice in screenwriting, peer critique group discussion of original manuscripts, and research on the screenwriting industry. We will also view films and read the scripts of films to get a deeper understanding of formatting and story structure.  In this course, we will discuss how to write scripts well and examine advanced scriptwriting techniques. We will also learn to read, analyze, and critique our own work and the work of our peers.

In this fully online course, students will write approximately twenty pages of screenplay material, along with 14 or more committed critiques of their peers' work. A wide range of projects will be considered, including but not limited to short films, feature films, one-hour episodic television scripts, half-hour comedy scripts, and scripts for animated series. Students should come well-prepared to discuss the course materials, the work of their peers, and have a STRONG knowledge of screenplay format, since CRW 3610 (the intro course) is a prerequisite here. We will assume you have mastered format. If you have not, review screenplay format before taking this class and be sure you are using scriptwriting software such as Celtx or Final Draft. At the end of the semester, students will submit their very best (and often heavily revised pages) along with a revision reflection that details this process. Ultimately, we want to see your script actually produced, so we’re writing with an aim toward production. I will act as your director and guide you on how I can best shoot your screenplay, turning your words into a fully realized visual masterpiece.

This is an advanced-level scriptwriting workshop for English majors. It includes intensive writing practice in screenwriting, peer critique group discussion of original manuscripts, and research on the screenwriting industry. We will also view films and read the scripts of films to get a deeper understanding of formatting and story structure.  In this course, we will discuss how to write scripts well and examine advanced scriptwriting techniques. We will also learn to read, analyze, and critique our own work and the work of our peers.