Advanced Screenwriting

This course is designed specifically for a more advanced introduction into scriptwriting. It is designed for tweens and teens who are interested in learning the fundamentals of screenwriting and writing a script from start to finish. The workshop focuses solely on breaking down scripts and analyzing the pieces to building a polished movie script based on the Hollywood standard. 

course outline

Workshop Goal: By the end of this course, students should have an understanding of the building blocks of a screenplay and be equipped with the tools necessary to finish the screenplay started during the workshop and/or begin writing an entirely new screenplay.

Six Week Course

Session One: Introduction to Screenwriting
Session Two: Characters & Act One
Session Three: Conflict & Act Two
Session Four: Writing Time & Table Read
Session Five: Resolutions & Act Three
Session Six: Final Table Read

SOFTWARE
Students will be using Celtx to write their scripts.

COURSE BREAKDOWN / HANDOUTS
Please click the underlined descriptor to access the correct handout.

Week One
An introduction into scriptwriting, the Three-Act Structure and Celtx. Students will be begin brainstorming an idea to write for the remaining sessions. 

  1. Screenwriting, Treatments & Pitching
  2. The Three-Act Structure
  3. Sample Script

Week Two
Focus on how to build memorable characters as well as a review of Act One. Anaylze and watch a scene to see how characters are constructed.

  1. Egri's Character Chart
  2. Breakdown of character in "The Grand Budapest Hotel"
  3. Breakdown of character in "The Dark Knight"

Week Three
Focus on conflict within scripts and how to build memorable conflict within characters and scenes as well as a review of Act Two.

1. HANDOUTS COMING SOON.

Week Four
Students will have an entire session to work on their scripts. If possible, students will participate in a table read of their scripts to get feedback on progress so far.

Week Five
Focus on resolutions and wrapping up the loose ends in a scripts. Talk about open and closed endings as well as a review of Act Three.

1. HANDOUTS COMING SOON.

Week Six
Students will read their finished scripts in a table read. This is a chance to get feedback of their final product.


1. HANDOUTS COMING SOON.

Additional Resources

To find additional scripts to read, visit Simply Scripts, a site filled with scripts from both TV and film. The scripts on this site are in downloadable PDF format and many feature the progression of a film from an early draft to the final draft.