Class Description
Screenwriting is an entirely different form of writing, with it’s own complex set of rules and principles. In this ten-week workshop, we will study Hollywood structure and format while also exploring works that defy the norm and challenge the way films are written. Students will bring in a dozen pages every other week and receive peer and instructor feedback on their scripts. Writers may also distribute their scripts via e-mail to get even more feedback. We will analyze a variety of film scripts to break down the structure and gain an in-depth understanding of what makes a great film. We'll discuss the screenplays of such writers as:
- Christopher and Jonathan Nolan
- Callie Khouri
- Quentin Tarantino
- William Goldman
- Mike Leigh
- Wes Anderson
- Tom Stoppard
- Aaron Sorkin
- Nora Ephron
- Charlie Kaufman
- Mark Boal
- Cameron Crowe
Topics covered will include writing dialogue, creating conflict, creating original characters and how to work with non-linear structure. By the end of this workshop, writers will have a first draft of a screenplay as well as a detailed step-outline and character biography. This class is perfect for students who have taken introduction to screenwriting or have some screenwriting experience.
Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.
For more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.
This class will take place using Zoom videoconferencing. After registering, a yellow Resources tab will appear in this section containing a link to join class. Please note that you will need to be logged into view the Resources tab.
Zoom Participation:
In our experience, the intimate nature of a writing workshop benefits from on-camera participation. Students are of course welcome to turn their camera off whenever they need to, but it is a community norm for cameras to be on most of the time. You can learn more about using Zoom here.
Zoom Accessibility:
You can enable closed captioning at any time during the meeting by clicking the CC button at the bottom of the screen. If you'd like to access the transcript after class, please make sure to let your instructor ahead of time that you'd like a copy.