“Plot is the most underestimated of all the major storytelling skills… [most writers] think they’ll just figure it out when they get there—which of course never happens.”
—John Truby, The Anatomy of Story
Where do great story ideas come from, and what makes them great? Most novelists, screenwriters, and filmmakers start with some strong story element— a compelling character, a gripping conflict, a sensational location… But none of these ideas are a story by themselves and, suddenly, the exciting potential of the blank white page can morph into a dark abyss of endless options.
Writer and filmmaker Richard L Bergh will discuss the questions and choices that are the keys to discovering a compelling and effective plot. Participants will discover how to cultivate an idea and then craft a new plot from the ground up over the course of the series.
How to Plot - Cultivating Organic Stories is a 2-part class designed to demystify the process of plotting and give participants the tools to transform any idea into a unique, gripping, and memorable plot— a survival guide for that dark abyss. Each part will meet once a week for 6 weeks, for 2 hours each class.
Part I - Discovering the Story, starting February 22nd, 2021, 6- 8pm, $395.
This class starts from scratch. Students will learn how to discover an idea and then dive into its themes. From these themes, they will choose a perspective, build a world, form the central conflict, and craft the overall plan. The result is a birds-eye view of the story that will show the strength and uniqueness of this new and exciting story idea.
Part II - Memorable Characters and Organic Plotting, starting April 12th, 2021, 6-8 pm, $311 (with ALUMNI Discount).
Building on the work in Part I, this class explores what makes a story resonate with an audience long after its been told. Students will explore a perspective on character arcs and motivations that allows the plot to emerge organically from the theme. The final result is a comprehensive plot path that will guide the writing process through the potential blocks with a solid blueprint for how to carry the original idea through to its most powerful expression. Part I will be a prerequisite to this Part II.
A great compliment or precursor to our Screenwriting Course, this How to Plot course is targeted to filmmakers and narrative writers of all mediums (novels, screenplays, creative nonfiction, etc). Registration (below) is REQUIRED, along with payment in full, or a $50 Deposit.
—John Truby, The Anatomy of Story
Where do great story ideas come from, and what makes them great? Most novelists, screenwriters, and filmmakers start with some strong story element— a compelling character, a gripping conflict, a sensational location… But none of these ideas are a story by themselves and, suddenly, the exciting potential of the blank white page can morph into a dark abyss of endless options.
Writer and filmmaker Richard L Bergh will discuss the questions and choices that are the keys to discovering a compelling and effective plot. Participants will discover how to cultivate an idea and then craft a new plot from the ground up over the course of the series.
How to Plot - Cultivating Organic Stories is a 2-part class designed to demystify the process of plotting and give participants the tools to transform any idea into a unique, gripping, and memorable plot— a survival guide for that dark abyss. Each part will meet once a week for 6 weeks, for 2 hours each class.
Part I - Discovering the Story, starting February 22nd, 2021, 6- 8pm, $395.
This class starts from scratch. Students will learn how to discover an idea and then dive into its themes. From these themes, they will choose a perspective, build a world, form the central conflict, and craft the overall plan. The result is a birds-eye view of the story that will show the strength and uniqueness of this new and exciting story idea.
Part II - Memorable Characters and Organic Plotting, starting April 12th, 2021, 6-8 pm, $311 (with ALUMNI Discount).
Building on the work in Part I, this class explores what makes a story resonate with an audience long after its been told. Students will explore a perspective on character arcs and motivations that allows the plot to emerge organically from the theme. The final result is a comprehensive plot path that will guide the writing process through the potential blocks with a solid blueprint for how to carry the original idea through to its most powerful expression. Part I will be a prerequisite to this Part II.
A great compliment or precursor to our Screenwriting Course, this How to Plot course is targeted to filmmakers and narrative writers of all mediums (novels, screenplays, creative nonfiction, etc). Registration (below) is REQUIRED, along with payment in full, or a $50 Deposit.
