
Writing the Final Project is taught by local creative writer R. Lyon Bergh, meeting once a week for 8 weeks. Contact us if you are interested in joining our next offering in 2024, TBD.
This course builds on a prior understanding of basic screenwriting & classical plot structures to delve into how a full-length story is told on screen; A close look at the screenplay specific elements that culminate into a visual story that grips the audience from its opening image to the FADE OUT of the closing scene.
Topics include: principles of drama, scene construction, pacing, and the skillful use of action lines and dialog, as well as, when to use voice-over, flashbacks, and other stylistic techniques.
Students will be asked to complete writing assignments between sessions and should anticipate four hours per week on outside work. Access to a screenwriting program is required— Final Draft is recommended. Prior exposure to 3-act plot structures and basic screenwriting norms is required (ie, Writing for the Screen and How to Plot 16 week courses or comparable experience approved by the instructor).
This class answers the questions:
And it speaks to the following concerns:
This course does NOT cover: (Please see other course offerings for these topics)
—Review or workshopping of works in progress
—Advice on how to pitch or sell a screenplay, or on professional writing jobs.
—Formatting for “shooting scripts”.
—Teleplays
Cost for the course is $625 ($500 for Alumni), and the registration form and payment link is found below. A $50 non-refundable registration fee will be needed to secure the registration.
This course builds on a prior understanding of basic screenwriting & classical plot structures to delve into how a full-length story is told on screen; A close look at the screenplay specific elements that culminate into a visual story that grips the audience from its opening image to the FADE OUT of the closing scene.
Topics include: principles of drama, scene construction, pacing, and the skillful use of action lines and dialog, as well as, when to use voice-over, flashbacks, and other stylistic techniques.
Students will be asked to complete writing assignments between sessions and should anticipate four hours per week on outside work. Access to a screenwriting program is required— Final Draft is recommended. Prior exposure to 3-act plot structures and basic screenwriting norms is required (ie, Writing for the Screen and How to Plot 16 week courses or comparable experience approved by the instructor).
This class answers the questions:
- How do I play to the strengths of the medium?
- What makes a screenplay riveting?
- How do I choose “what comes next” when ordering scenes and beats?
- How do I deliver necessary information visually?
- How much dialog is too much dialog?
- What makes a scene a scene?
- How detailed can I be in my action lines?
- How do I format intricate intercutting?
- How can I show the important information instead of telling it?
- How do I add characterization through non-verbal cues?
- How much should I describe?
And it speaks to the following concerns:
- My screenplays start off strong, but then seem to lag.
- I have information I need to deliver but my page count keeps getting away from me.
- All of my characters talk the same way.
- I can see how I want something done in my mind, but don’t know how to write it.
- My story moves along nicely, but doesn’t seem to have much emotion.
- I’m good at writing shorts, but the feature is daunting.
This course does NOT cover: (Please see other course offerings for these topics)
—Review or workshopping of works in progress
—Advice on how to pitch or sell a screenplay, or on professional writing jobs.
—Formatting for “shooting scripts”.
—Teleplays
Cost for the course is $625 ($500 for Alumni), and the registration form and payment link is found below. A $50 non-refundable registration fee will be needed to secure the registration.