INTRODUCTION TO SCREENWRITING

Course Description

This course explores two main ideas: (1) How do stories work? (2) How do we write them dramatically for the screen? These are reflected in your two main assessments: a mid-term presentation analyzing the story structure of a movie of your choice, and your major creative work – the first act of a feature film and a short outline of your film’s story. The first half of this course focuses on obtaining the basic skills of storytelling and screenwriting. The second half focuses on applying those skills creatively as a screenwriter.

Required Text

Linda Seger, Making a Good Script Great (3rd ed, 2010). Silman-James Press; 3rd edition
Christopher Vogler, The Writer’s Journey Michael Wiese Productions; 4th edition
John Yorke, Into The Woods: A Five-Act Journey Into Story Harry N. Abrams; 1st edition

Optional Text

David Trottier, The Screenwriter's Bible A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting, and Selling Your Script (6th edition, Expanded & Updated) Silman-James Press