Learn how to turn your big idea into a solid screenplay.
Discover how to translate your passion for screenwriting into actionable skills. Every week students will build on the foundations of story, structure, character arcs, the do’s and don’ts, industry standards, and the technical side of writing a script until they have a completed short screenplay that will be workshopped during the last weeks of class. We’ll start with one page scripts, build to a three-page script, and finally five to ten page scripts for the final workshop. Please come to class with a few ideas you’d like to use to create a final script.
In-person class: This workshop will take place at The Writer’s Center, 4508 Walsh St, Bethesda MD.
In this workshop you’ll learn:
- Story (does this story work as a script?)
- Structure
- Character Arcs/Development
- Scripts vs. Novels: how subtext works in a screenplay
- Technical Screenwriting
- Film Direction in a script
In Preparation
- Watch your favorite films and take notes, make a list of questions, and notice anything that stands out or doesn’t make sense to you. We’ll discuss in class.
Time requirements
- Students will have deadlines for a one-page script, a three-page script, and the final script will be workshopped during the last sessions. Exact time requirements depends on how quickly you’re able to work through these drafts.
Recommended Reading
- Crafting Short Screenplays that Connect by Claudia Hunter Johnson
- How to Write a Movie in 21 Days by Viki King
- Story by Robert McKee
- On Writing by Stephen King
Who should take this workshop?
- This workshop is designed for beginning screenwriters and novelists who are interested in adapting their work. You’ll learn the basics of screenwriting to get you started on your long-form journey.
If you need an accommodation for this workshop, please contact us at access@writer.org. We will attempt to fulfill all requests, but advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility services.
