This course will introduce students to the concepts, tools and practice of story structure and screenwriting. Theme, character, narrative form and the tools of screenwriting (telegraphing, dramatic irony, dangling cause and dramatic tension) will be observed, discussed and exercised within the frameworks of feature and short film writing. Students will write idea pitches, a basic full length film outline, and short scripts with a technical focus on formatting, pacing, and diction. They will analyze film/video as a medium, observing its strengths and weaknesses. The class will also discuss studio screenwriting and independent screenwriting with spec scripts, adaptation, budget, demographic, agents/managers, producers, and distribution in mind.

This course is offered on ground with an online component.