Screenwriting

"With a good script, a good director can produce a masterpiece; with the same script a medicore director can make a passable film. But with a bad script, even a good director can't possibly make a good film."

-- Akira Kuroswa, Writer: Roshomon, The Seven Samurai, Ran.

It's no exaggeration to say that the script is at the heart of every emotional, creative, and practical decision that's made in the filmmaking process.  An understanding of screenwriting is crucial to the filmmaking experience, no matter where a student's career ultimately goes.

Nuts and Bolts of Screenwriting - 1

CSCN1: June 20th
Instructor: Ted Eachus
8 Sessions - June 20th - 7:00 - 10:00pm
Tuition: $545

Nuts and Bolts of Screenwriting lays the groundwork for screenplay writing by providing students with a total immersion in script structure and the craft of writing for the screen. The class will read, view, and discuss four feature-length screenplays. As we examine scripts of vastly different styles, students will begin work on their own feature-length ideas, exploring an idea’s concept and creating the foundation for a story.

This class offers an in-depth study of creating characters for the screen and students will write short descriptive biographies of their own story’s characters. Tuition includes access to the scripts used in class.
Enroll online now:

or by phone: (800) 940-3546 or download the registration form for mailing in.

Structure and Process of Screenwriting - 2

CSCN2: Time TBA, call for info
Instructor: Ted Eachus
8 Sessions - 7:00 - 10:00pm
Tuition: $545

Prerequisite: Screenwriting 1: Nuts and Bolts

In Structure and Process of Screenwriting, students develop the basic storyline for their screenplay while receiving further in-depth instruction in screenwriting and story structure. Topics covered during this class include creating story, structuring the plot and subplots, plot points, ingredients to construct effective opening pages, and detailed instruction on how to build dramatic scenes. By the end of the 8-week session, students will have completed their story outline and will have finished writing the first act of their screenplay.

Enroll online now:

or by phone: (800) 940-3546 or download the registration form for mailing in.

Creating the First Draft - Screenwriting 3

Completing the Feature-length Screenplay

CSCN3:Time TBA, call for info
Instructor: Ted Eachus
8 Sessions - 7:00 - 10:00pm
Tuition: $545
Prerequisite: Screenwriting 3: Structure & Process

In Creating the First Draft, students finish writing their screenplays. This session deals with the overall structure of screenplays from the individual scene to the rhythms of the complete piece. In addition, several classes will focus on effective dialogue, humor, and adding suspense and “twists” to the story.

Class time includes reading student work, viewing and analyzing scenes on video, lecture and plenty of discussion and analysis. Students are expected to complete an entire draft of their script by the end of the class.

Enroll online now:

or by phone: (800) 940-3546 or download the registration form for mailing in.

Rewriting & Screenwriting Business - 4

CSCN4: Time TBA, call for info 

Instructor: Ted Eachus
8 Sessions - 7:00 - 10:00pm
Tuition: $545

Prerequisite: Screenwriting 3: Creating the First Draft

The act of Rewriting is a critical part of the overall writing process. Students engage in the rigorous process of creating a second draft as they reach a new plateau in terms of skill and ability. Class time is devoted to detailed analysis of student work and the issues involved in creating and sustaining professional caliber work.

This class also deals with the Business of Screenwriting. Students focus on developing an overall strategy for the sale of a screenplay from registering a script to finding an agent. Students also develop script treatments, beat sheets, proposal letters, and pitch story ideas.

Enroll online now:

 

or by phone: (800) 940-3546 or download the registration form for mailing in.