- story structure (from the basic elements common to any story,
to the "hero's journey" used as the foundation of screenplays
ranging from Star Wars to American Beauty.)
- how to think visually (film is mainly a visual medium, and screenplays
need to based around action before you start thinking about dialogue.
In this class we'll start off with some exercises designed to
help move people toward thinking visually. These exercises alone
often solve some basic storytelling problems and get your screenwriting
off to a solid start)
- how to identify your screenplay's target audience, and why it
matters
- how to write concise, effective dialogue and description
- how to write loglines (concise descriptions of your story) and
treatments. The difference between a treatment and a screenplay.
- types of treatments (you'll learn the differences between the
treatment you write before your screenplay, and the one you write
as a marketing tool after it's finished)
- how to write scenes (a scene, like a screenplay, has a definite
beginning, middle and end, and moves the story along on its arc.
We'll do some exercises to get a handle on scene writing, then
write short scenes and share them with the class)
- how to write a complete short script (we'll practice writing
dialogues and descriptions, practice setting up a story visually,
then we'll each write a one minute script, and later in the class,
a complete five minute script)
- how to "pitch" your screenplay to the big studios,
plus some methods for getting your script in through a "back
door"
- how to format your screenplay (and avoid common formatting errors)
- and more.
It's a good class both for beginning writers who are not sure
where to start, and for people who are already underway on a screenplay
but need some tips to get it back on track. We'll do lots and
lots of writing, and you'll have a chance to share your writings
with the class and get feedback from others about what's working
and what's not.
Thanks for the energy you put into the (Screenplay) course,
the writing exercises, the HUGE amount of information, and the
fun and supportive atmosphere ... I got past the "panic"
mode of feeling like I needed to do everything right in the first
draft, I feel looser and happier and am having more fun writing.
- L.D., Seattle
Thanks again for your encouragement and the fun nature of the
screenwriting class. - L. R., Seattle
The class was really helpful, especially the exercises in writing
scenes and writing a complete (very short!) screenplay. I can't
believe what I came up with and what other people in the class
came up with for that exercise. It was a real window into the
amazing creativity we all have inside of us. - Jan H., Seattle
I turned some kind of a corner and writing has been easy since
the class. Thank you! - Nathan I., Bellevue
I learned a lot about how to write a screenplay. (J.R., Seattle)
I particularly appreciated your advice to focus on telling my
own stories, rather than chasing some elusive dream of creating
what Hollywood is looking for. As you said, there are thousands
of wannabees trying to write the next Die Hard or Terminator 2-
but who cares - they've been written! I don't have to chase after
the latest fad, I can trust myself more and look at what I want
to write, and trust that that probably has a better chance of
being accepted anyway. - C.B., Seattle
Thank you for your explanation of how the pitching process works,
and how to find an agent (and how to make sure it's a real agent
who can really be helpful.) - M.L.,Bellevue
Wow, what can I say Nils, it was really good, thanks for the encouragement
and information - Beth G., Kirkland
I love the advice to just have fun with it ... - .PW., Seattle
The advice about editing and rewriting was perfect for what I
needed." - Scott W., Bellevue
I'm happy with the result of class... I feel liberated instead
of stuck. I've been writing again and am very pleased. - Mike
K., Seattle
I took a class from ______ last year and felt kind of discouraged
afterwards; I think he was a discouraged screenwriter and passed
that along! I feel encouraged since your class, and am excited
to get back to my screenplay. - Jan., Seattle
It was a great (class) for me and I'm totally happy with it. The
exercises at the beginning, helping us focus on screenwriting
as a visual medium, were wonderful and made a huge difference
in my writing. I loved the homework and the exercises we did in
class. The first exercise alone made a huge difference in my writing.
The explanation about story structure and the Hero's Journey-Monomyth
were wonderful and solved a huge number of problems I'd been having.
I had read them before but had somehow not connected them with
my screenplay. Thanks again for a wonderful class. - Kris T.,
Kent
It's Time to Write Your Screenplay is sponsored by the ASUW (Associated Students University of Washington) Experimental College, and is held on the U.W. campus in Seattle. It's a non-credit class open to everyone; you do not have to be a U.W. student to attend. The University of Washington is committed to providing equal access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accomodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accomodations, contact the Disability Office at least ten days in advance at: (206)543-6450/V, (206)543-6452/TTY, (206)685-7264 (fax) or email dso@u.washington.edu
To sign up by mail: You can sign up by mail at any time. To do so, click here to download the mail-in registration formThen fill it out and mail it to: ASUW Experimental College Box 352238 SAO 21 University of Washington Seattle WA 98195-2238 (Note: mail-in registrations won't be processed until June 23rd.)
To sign up online: Online registration for summer quarter Experimental College classes will begin on June 9th. (Please do not try signing up online before that time! Or you may end up in the spring quarter class instead.) We'll post a registration link here when summer online registrations begin.
To sign up by phone: Phone registrations for summer
quarter Experimental College classeswill begin onJune 23rd We'll
post more information here at that time.
Want an email reminder about registrations? To be added to the
instructor's email list, email Nilsosmar@gmail.com
You'll receive an email reminder when online and phone registrations
begin.
Whatever method you use to register, you will only be charged a $10 registration fee for each class you are enrolling in, when you sign up (or $5 if you are a UW student.) The course fee is not due until the first day of class.
Sponsored by the ASUW Experimental College:
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with colored pencils
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to make commercials & infomercials
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up your writing! (Beyond writer's block)
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