Screenwriting Intermediate Online Short Course
Course description
Course overview
Are you serious about writing, but finding it difficult to finish a screenplay? Maybe you've finished a first draft but are struggling with the inevitable re-write or you have several ideas and can't decide which are worth pursuing. If that's the case, then this is the course for you.
Throw away your dull dialogue and hackneyed cliches and develop unstoppable narrative drive that delivers a climax which emotionally and viscerally fulfils your audience's deepest needs!
Students should come with an idea they want to develop (or have begun to develop) into a full-length feature script.
Who this course is for
This course is suitable for continuing or experienced writers who want fresh ideas, sympathetic feedback, and structured analysis in a collaborative and fun environment.
We recommend that you do our Screenwriting - Beginners online short course or a similar course before enrolling on this intermediate course. Students will need to be familiar with and to submit their writing assignments in proper script format. This information is covered in the beginners' course.
Key information
Topics covered
- Practical screenwriting techniques for deepening your ideas and building them into a structured and satisfying screenplay
- Techniques to create thematic unity and powerful image systems to bring out the deeper meaning of your story
- Innovative narrative techniques to unleash creativity
- Advanced screenwriting grammar
Learning outcomes
- Learn how to develop narrative drive that delivers a climax
- Explore fresh ideas and get helpful feedback
- Explore practical screenwriting techniques
- Receive a digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
As part of your weekly assignments, you will be asked to view the films listed below (even if you have seen them before) which we will be analysing in detail in class.
The films are:
- The Truman Show
- The Apartment
- Little Miss Sunshine
- Ladybird
- Young Adult
- Moonlight
Students will be expected to submit writing assignments in proper script format. As well as 'industry standard' software such as Final Draft, there are several sites on the web which give you help with formatting, as well as free downloadable software programmes such as celtx.com.
The important thing is not that you follow exact parameters, but that you understand the logic behind script formatting. The best way to do this is to read recent, properly formatted scripts: these can be downloaded free from sites such as www.simplyscripts.com (although we will, whenever possible, send out pdfs of scripts to everyone in advance).
Please see our Guide to taking online short courses.
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