• How to generate written story ideas in multiple film genres
• How to develop scenes based on theme and character
• Construction of a character arc
• Composition of a three-act structure
• How to construct a screenplay from a three-act, 40-beat outline

You’ll introduce yourself and meet your classmates, while the instructor will assess your experience and interest in motion picture writing. Learn about how to create memorable protagonists, what makes a great logline, and generating your own ideas.

Lock your log line, identify the wants and needs of a main character, and analyze the influence of theme on a character. Then you’ll be introduced to the extended 40-beat sheet and answer all essential questions needed to get started.

Revisit your essential questions, and embark on a study of great opening scenes while generating your own. Identify great Act I moments and what makes them work.

Review Act I beats, then examine Act II essential beats as well as the importance of the midpoint while generating your own.

Review Act II beats, then examine Act III essential beats. Generate your own “All is Lost” moments and final conclusions, then get a macro view of your movie, including re-answering your essential questions and re-examining your log lines.

Revisit character development, and complete the enneagram together, knowing who you will write about. Create an in-class obit writing for your protagonist, and a mission statement for your script.

Go through your first acts, then revisit the essential beats of Act II and what you need to pay-off, generating moments of conflict together.

Workshop your current draft, and check in with your protagonist. Is plot or person winning in this script?

Workshop Act II B, checking in on your protagonist and where they are emotionally. You’ll also  check back on the thematic question you posed in your essential questions.

Workshop your revisions and check back on your original mission statement.

You have a whole draft—congratulations! Get notes and workshop feedback of this draft, then make a self-assessment of your draft through a checklist questionnaire.

Present three revised scenes. You’ll work together to make a customized re-write plan.