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Class > Screenwriting 101
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Screenwriting 101 is an online class for beginning writers or writers wanting to brush up on the fundamentals. For four weeks you will interact and study under the guidance of your instructor to jumpstart your writing and hit the ground running. Also, two online LIVE lectures during office hours to help you as you do your assignments and work on your script.
Jump to this site now
The class presents the fundamentals of screenwriting: character development, plot development, structure, conflict, and dialogue. Mainly focused on beginners or anyone who wants to brush up on the fundamentals. Students gain enough knowledge to continue writing their screenplay, start their first screenplay, and finish.
Cost: $200
Classes available 2005 (Note: you can register up to the first class, dated below):
March Office Hours: 21st and 23rd
April Office Hours: 13th and 27th
May Office Hours: 11th and 18th
Summer Break no classes until Fall
(Office Hours are usually the third Wednesday of every month 6PM PST to 7:30 PM) That's LA time.
Class space is limited so reserve your space now for the next class.
Class Goals:
- Reading
(e-text), movie analysis, and some writing exercises
- Lectures
on fundamental concepts
- Present
work for critique
Class Breakdown:
- Finding the Heart of your
story
- Plot or Character driven,
which is best?
- Cause and Effect (Characters
and Plot)
- Thinking about Characters
- Fully fleshed Characters
- The Paradigms of a Story
Screenplay Structure (This
is not a discussion on simply the 3-Acts, every story has a beginning,
middle, and an end or it would not be a story, and we're only interested
in writing screenplays with a story.)
- What is Structure and why
is it important?
- What Structure best suits
your Story?
- Structure and Genre
- Classic Structure: Linear,
Journey, Chase, Search
- Types of Alternative Narrative
Structure
- Writing your first ten pages
- The Setup: the or else
scene
- Establishing genre and
drama
- Connecting the Audience
- Case Studies
- Looking Ahead towards your
Second and Third Acts (setups and payoffs)
- Writing the Scene
- Types of Scenes
- Scene Dialectics
- Ins and Outs
- Functions
- Structures
- Sequences
Who is the instructor?
The instructor is Chris Wehner, a published author, journalist, critic and professional screenwriter. He has worked in the field for over 10 years. He was recently Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Screenwriter's Monthly and VP of Development for MoviePartners. Currently his screenplay, EL CAMINO, is in development with Area 51 Films in Los Angeles and is scheduled to go into production this year. His book, "Screenwriting on the Internet: Researching, Writing & Selling Your Script on the Web" was a Top Seller at The Writer's Store and his latest book "Who Wrote That Movie?" has received praise as well.
Do I need any special equipment to take an eClass?
The digital classroom Web site works with every common modern operating system.
The best web browsers to use are:
- Internet Explorer (IE) version 5+ for Windows 98+
- Netscape version 7+ or Mozilla for MacOS X, Mac 9, and Linux
Do classes meet?
Classes don't meet in the traditional sense. You will participate online
for parts of the class - except for Office Hours (noted above near top) - on your own time.
Each "class" continues for the entire month.
How do I communicate with the instructor and my classmates?
Via LIVE chat sessions with your instructor and your
classmates in the Chat Room, which we call Office Hours. During Office Hours the instructor will make a brief presentation, discuss assignments, and then you and your fellow students can ask questions, discuss the assignments or lectures, and anything else that pertains to the class.
You'll also be communicating with your instructor and
classmates in the interactive Forums where you can post about
the lectures, assignments, ask questions, make comments, anything! And your
instructor will be checking in on the forum regularly to answer your
questions and add their own two cents when necessary.
How do I get feedback from my instructor? Will this be an interactive class?
Yes. Your instructor gives you a deadline for posting your work in the Homework Forum.
Students and instructor read your work and post comments
under your name on the forum. You can go to the forum as often
as you like to read instructor and class discussions, post your own comments,
or get class updates. In turn, you also will read your fellow students' work
and post comments under their name on the forum. We encourage you to
read the instructor's comments on all of your classmates' work, since that will
help you develop a critical eye. Reading and commenting on each other's work
is one of the most critical keys to success in our eClasses.
If I miss an instructor's Office Hours, is there a way to find out
what I missed?
Yes! You can read a transcript of all Chat Room discussions by viewing the
Chat Room log.
It's already into the month I wish to take the class, can I still take it?
Yes. You can start up to the first live Office Hour, or Chat Room class. The dates are noted at the top of the page. Up to that first class all activities are web-based and allow you to catch up quickly.
Do I have to register to get into class?
Yes. You can start your registration process below
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START HERE > Registration Form
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Did You Know?
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That the average payment to a feature writer or team for a screenplay last year was $654,000!
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