COURSE MODULE

CERTIFICATE COURSE ON CREATIVE WRITING:

SCRIPT TO SCREENPLAY

Course Overview: This course is designed to guide students through the process of writing a screenplay, from the initial idea to a polished script ready for production. Students will learn about the structure of film and television screenplays, analyze dramatic strategies, and practice writing in the correct script format. The course emphasizes the creative and technical aspects of screenwriting, with assignments that include scene writing, treatments, and a half-hour script.

Course Methodology:

• Lectures: Introduce foundational concepts, theories, and examples.

• Workshops: Facilitate peer review and hands-on writing practice.

• Assignments: Encourage practical application of concepts through writing exercises.

• Presentations: Allow students to share their work and receive feedback.

• Examinations: Assess students' understanding and application of course material.

Module Outline with Detailed Course Topics:

1. INTRODUCTION TO SCREENWRITING

• Topics:

  • Overview of screenwriting for film and television.

  • The role of a screenwriter in the industry.

  • Differences between film and television scripts.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "The Screenwriter's Bible" by David Trottier (Silman-James Press)

    • "Save the Cat!" by Blake Snyder (Michael Wiese Productions)

  • Videos:

    • "The Evolution of Screenwriting" documentary.

    • Analysis of the screenplay of "The Social Network".

• Assignment:

  • Write a short 1-2 page scene based on a provided prompt.

• Homework:

  • Watch "The Social Network" and read the screenplay, focusing on dialogue and pacing.

2. SCREENPLAY INSPIRATION

• Topics:

  • Finding and developing ideas for screenplays.

  • Drawing inspiration from real life, literature, and history.

  • Brainstorming techniques and creative exercises.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Stealing Fire from the Gods" by James Bonnet (Michael Wiese Productions)

    • "The Creative Screenwriter: Exercises to Expand Your Craft" by Charles Deemer (Michael Wiese Productions)

  • Videos:

    • Interviews with screenwriters from "Inside the Writers' Room" series.

    • TED Talk: "Your Elusive Creative Genius" by Elizabeth Gilbert.

• Assignment:

  • Develop three original loglines for potential screenplays.

• Homework:

  • Write a 1-page outline for one of your loglines, focusing on the main plot points.

3. PRINCIPLES OF SCREENWRITING

• Topics:

  • Understanding different approaches to screenwriting: plot-based, character-based, event-based, idea-based, and place story.

  • Analyzing strengths and weaknesses of each approach.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting" by Robert McKee (ReganBooks)

    • "The Anatomy of Story" by John Truby (Faber & Faber)

  • Videos:

    • Breakdown of "Pulp Fiction" and its multi-story structure.

    • Analysis of character development in "Breaking Bad".

• Assignment:

  • Write a 2-3 page character-driven scene, focusing on conflict and dialogue.

• Homework:

  • Watch "Pulp Fiction" and analyze the structure of its multiple storylines.

4. SCREENPLAY STRUCTURE

• Topics:

  • The basics of screenplay structure: beats, scenes, sequences, and acts.

  • Understanding three-act structure and alternative structures.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting" by Syd Field (Delta)

    • "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" by Joseph Campbell (Pantheon Books)

  • Videos:

    • Breakdown of the three-act structure in "The Dark Knight".

    • Analysis of unconventional structures in "Memento".

• Assignment:

  • Create a beat sheet for a new screenplay idea.

• Homework:

  • Watch "The Dark Knight" and identify the key beats and turning points.

5. SCREENPLAY AND FILM ANALYSIS

• Topics:

  • Analyzing characters, conflict, dialogue, and settings in screenplays and films.

  • How these elements contribute to the overall narrative.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Writing for Emotional Impact" by Karl Iglesias (WingSpan Press)

    • "Film Art: An Introduction" by David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson (McGraw-Hill Education)

  • Videos:

    • Character analysis of "Taxi Driver".

    • Dialogue analysis in "The West Wing".

• Assignment:

  • Write a detailed analysis of a scene from a chosen film, focusing on character and conflict.

• Homework:

  • Watch "Taxi Driver" and analyze the protagonist's arc.

6. TYPES OF SCREENPLAY (GENRE)

• Topics:

  • Exploring various screenplay genres: romance, westerns, science fiction, action/adventure, detective/thriller, epic/historical event.

  • How genre conventions shape the narrative and character development.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "The Screenwriter's Genre Handbook" by Steve Caterson (Michael Wiese Productions)

    • "Writing the Romantic Comedy" by Billy Mernit (HarperCollins)

  • Videos:

    • Analysis of genre conventions in "Die Hard", "Star Wars", and "Titanic".

• Assignment:

  • Write a 1-2 page scene in a chosen genre, incorporating genre-specific elements.

• Homework:

  • Watch "Die Hard" and analyze how it adheres to and subverts action genre conventions.

7. TYPES OF SCREENPLAY (NARRATIVE FORMS)

• Topics:

  • Different narrative forms in screenwriting: narrative, documentary, and experimental scripts.

  • The unique challenges and opportunities of each form.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Alternative Scriptwriting: Beyond the Rules" by Ken Dancyger and Jeff Rush (Focal Press)

    • "Documentary Storytelling" by Sheila Curran Bernard (Focal Press)

  • Videos:

    • Analysis of "The Act of Killing" (documentary) and "Eraserhead" (experimental).

• Assignment:

  • Develop a treatment for a short documentary or experimental film.

• Homework:

  • Watch "The Act of Killing" and write an analysis of its narrative structure.

8. WRITING – REWRITING – REVISION

• Topics:

  • The importance of rewriting and revision in the screenwriting process.

  • Techniques for effective rewriting and incorporating feedback.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Rewrite: A Step-by-Step Guide to Strengthen Structure, Characters, and Drama in Your Screenplay" by Paul Chitlik (Michael Wiese Productions)

    • "The Art of Dramatic Writing" by Lajos Egri (Simon & Schuster)

  • Videos:

    • The rewriting process of "Good Will Hunting" as discussed by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

• Assignment:

  • Revise a previously submitted scene, focusing on improving dialogue and pacing.

• Homework:

  • Watch "Good Will Hunting" and analyze the revisions between drafts.

9. WRITER’S BLOCK

• Topics:

  • Understanding writer’s block and how to overcome it.

  • Strategies to stay motivated and productive during the writing process.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles" by Steven Pressfield (Black Irish Entertainment LLC)

    • "Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life" by Anne Lamott (Pantheon Books)

  • Videos:

    • TED Talk: "The Fringe Benefits of Failure" by J.K. Rowling.

• Assignment:

  • Write a reflective essay on a personal experience with writer’s block and how you overcame it.

• Homework:

  • Implement a daily writing routine and journal the process for a week.

10. PITCHING A SCRIPT (BUSINESS & MARKETING)

• Topics:

  • The art of pitching a script to producers, agents, and studios.

  • Understanding the business and marketing side of screenwriting.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read" by Michael Hauge (Michael Wiese Productions)

    • "Hollywood Pitching" by Ken Rotcop (Silman-James Press)

  • Videos:

    • Pitching examples from "Shark Tank" and "The Pitch" (AMC series).

• Assignment:

  • Prepare and deliver a 60-second pitch for your screenplay idea.

• Homework:

  • Watch "Shark Tank" pitches and analyze what makes a pitch successful.

11. SHOOTING SCRIPT

• Topics:

  • The final stage of script preparation: creating a shooting script.

  • Formatting and organizing a script for production.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "The Hollywood Standard: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Script Format and Style" by Christopher Riley (Michael Wiese Productions)

    • "Film Directing Shot by Shot: Visualizing from Concept to Screen" by Steven D. Katz (Michael Wiese Productions)

  • Videos:

    • Breakdown of a shooting script vs. a spec script.

• Assignment:

  • Convert one of your scenes into a shooting script format.

• Homework:

  • Review a shooting script from a major film and compare it to the final movie.

12. WRITER’S ETHICS, TALENT COPYRIGHTS, LEGALITY & AGREEMENTS

• Topics:

  • Understanding the legal aspects of screenwriting: copyrights, contracts, and agreements.

  • Ethical considerations in writing and protecting intellectual property.

• Study Materials:

  • Books:

    • "The Screenwriter's Legal Guide" by Stephen F. Breimer (Silman-James Press)

    • "The Writer Got Screwed (but didn't have to)" by Brooke A. Wharton (Back Stage Books)

  • Videos:

    • Legal pitfalls in screenwriting, presented by entertainment lawyer Michael C. Donaldson.

• Assignment:

  • Draft a simple option agreement for one of your original scripts.

• Homework:

  • Research a legal case involving screenwriting or copyright infringement and present your findings.

Additional Resources:

• Software: Final Draft, Celtx, Scrivener.

• Online Resources: MasterClass sessions by Aaron Sorkin and Shonda Rhimes, Screenwriting courses on Coursera.

• Reference Books:

  • "In the Blink of an Eye: A Perspective on Film Editing" by Walter Murch (Silman-James Press)

  • "The Elements of Style" by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White (Pearson)

This module is crafted to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the screenwriting process, from the initial idea to the final script, ready for production. The blend of creative exercises, practical assignments, and industry insights prepares students for the challenges of writing for film and television.