Module 1- Screenwriting

Lesson 1: The Key Elements of Story

In this lesson we will learn just what the elements are that make up a well-rounded screenplay – elements which, in turn, make a good film.

Lesson 2: Research

A look at the essential concepts to consider before researching your work, a crucial look at the types of sources writers will interact with, and an exploration of how to integrate research into your film – considering the concepts of research storage, balance, and poetic license. 

Lesson 3: The Three-Act Structure (I)

A crucial examination of film’s most popular narrative structure, getting into the specifics of how the three acts function, how to plot narrative within this framework, and a demystifying discussion of the importance of narrative causality. 

Lesson 4: The Kishōtenketsu Structure

An important exploration of a structuring alternative to the Three-Act structure, increasing the potential for originality and innovation. 

Lesson 5: Character Development

A look at the core concepts to consider when constructing characters – with particular focus on the public/private disparity as well as the need for character motivation. We also look at more key character archetypes and learn handy writing tips for writing characters for a modern audience. 

Lesson 6: Character, Conflict, & Humanity

A look at the core concepts to consider when constructing characters – with particular focus on the public/private disparity as well as the need for character motivation. We also look at more key character archetypes and learn handy writing tips for writing characters for a modern audience. 

Lesson 7: Dialogue for film

An important look at what distinguishes dialogue from real-life speech, a deep dive into how levels of human intimacy guides dialogue, as well as a more technical look at how to make decisions regarding the use of slang/regionalisms/jargon in fiction. 

Lesson 8: Film analysis – Ex Machina (2014)

Within this lesson we will use a case study film, Ex Machina (2014), to examine just how the Three-Act structure works in action – examining just how its plot points and guidelines can be seamlessly integrated into a film. 

Module 2- Screenwriting

Lesson 1: Freewriting & Journaling

A step-by-step guide through the form and function of the different kinds of free-writing out there, as well as an exploration of how journaling can be employed as a useful long-term writing tool. 

Lesson 2: Genre

This lesson will cover the storied history of this genre as well as unpack its role with modern cinema – both in terms of its critical necessity and cultural appeal. 

Lesson 3: Genre insight: Romance

Within this lesson, we will seek to unpack just why the romantic film has found such a home within the modern world – with particular focus on ‘love culture’ and the ethical responsibility of representation within this genre. 

Lesson 4: Writing Gender in the 21st Century

We look at how the approach to writing gender has to be re-examined, specifically in terms of the ways in which we as writers don’t even realise we’ve been socialised to do so. We also take a close look at some pertinent examples from both film classics and modern film classics to demonstrate how the issues we seek to work against present themselves – sometimes blatantly, sometimes with devious subtlety. 

Lesson 5: Symbolism & Metaphor

An exploration of the differences, core functions and importance of these crucial concepts as used within the art of writing for film. We also explore the restrictions incurred when employing these devices within a primarily visual format. 

Lesson 6: The Audience

We explore just what the modern filmgoing audience looks like, what their desires are and how we as writers can both play to what they want but still nudge them toward what they need. 

Lesson 7: Intertextuality (Parody & Pastiche)

A look at just how we have taken that ‘past-informs-the-present approach’ to the next level, how the Western world has sparked the germination and proliferation of the distinctive postmodern genres of parody and pastiche. Genres not only inform their content with previous works but function as a commentary upon the works of their established contexts. 

Lesson 8: On Foreshadowing: Set-ups & Pay-offs

We define and explore the concept of foreshadowing, split it into its component parts, and look to some examples from film to make the case of its importance.