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Writing
for the Movies:
Writing and
Selling Your Screenplay
With Christina Hamlett
Current
Openings: Yes
Learn the techniques of beginning
screenwriting-- from concept to treatment to polished script from a
former actress and director who is the author of 16 books, 98 plays, and
more than 200 articles on the performing arts, travel, humor, and how-to's
for new writers.
Course Type:
One-on-one instruction. Reading and writing assignments, instructor critique of learner
manuscripts.
Objective:
Learners will improve their writing skills and grasp of the basic
elements of screen writing.
Duration:
6 lessons within 10 weeks
Start Date:
Open enrollment
Learner
Prerequisites:
Basic writing skills, good
grammar, and the drive and ambition to write for the movies.
Limit:
6 learners for individual instruction.
Class
Materials: Instructor will
use e-mail to supply all materials including reading list and self-paced
assignments; two assignments will be delivered by post.
Cost:
$120.00
Tutorial
Option: Learners may
register for one-on-one instruction with the instructor. This involves
extensive personal review and critique of the learner's work. Fee:
$35.00 per hour. Interested learners should contact director@absoluteclasses.com.
Curriculum:
In this six-week course, you will learn the techniques of beginning
screenwriting-- from concept to treatment to polished script! Assignments
based on lessons and popular films address the subjects of formatting,
genres, clichés, and how to hook an agent/director/audience from the
very first scene. With the exception of two lessons which require
delivery by US mail, class material and critiques are all exchanged via
computer, allowing you to work at your own pace (or even in your
bathrobe!) and ask questions as they occur. The final product for review
and in-depth critique will be the first ten pages of your own movie
script.
Lesson
1: Recognizing the differences between movies, books, and plays.
ASSIGNMENT: A short essay in which students will identify a favorite
film and (1) discuss why it works and (2) whether it would or would not
work as a novel or stage play.
Lesson
2: Divide and Conquer-- a discussion of the formulaic nature of
screenwriting and how it can make your writing easier. ASSIGNMENT: Watch
a film of any type and break it down into each of the four acts
discussed in Lesson 1.
Lesson 3:
Formatting-- the basics of writing a script for the screen, with special
emphasis on what NOT to include. ASSIGNMENT: Write a two page original
scene in standard screenplay format.
Lesson
4: Titles, log lines, synopses, and target audiences. ASSIGNMENT:
Write a title, a log line, a 500-word synopsis, and identify who your
movie would appeal to...and why.
Lesson
5: Treatments and outlines-- their purpose and content. ASSIGNMENT:
Write a treatment of your movie not to exceed 1000 words.
Lesson
6: Hooking the Audience-- the critical first ten minutes. ASSIGNMENT:
submission of the first 10 pages of your own script for critique and
recommendations.
Instructor
Bio:
Former actress and director Christina Hamlett is an award-winning author and script coverage consultant whose credits to date include 25 books, 120 plays and musicals, four optioned feature films, and columns/interviews that appear in publications throughout the world.
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