(Recorded Course) Advanced Fiction Writing: Screenwriting, Part One (HS X-11)

In this hands-on writing course, practice your advanced writing skills and learn how to design stories for film—including how to build characters, write dialogue, learn what makes a good movie, and craft scenes that make sense and engage the viewer. This course is for all writers who want advanced writing skills -- especially for those who want to explore writing as a part- or full-time career.  

 Currently, Instructor Access grading services are not available for this course.

 

NOTICE: This is an older course recorded with Adobe Connect and/or Vimeo recordings. We are currently working to replace the recordings with new Zoom recordings.  Please don't hesitate to email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com with any questions.

   How to Get the Most Out of Fiction Writing: Screenwriting, Part One with Erin M. Brown (AKA Erin Brown Conroy/E.B. Conroy):

    1. Read: Read all of the information here, and skim the first week’s course materials.
    2. Notetaking: Prepare a notebook and take complete notes during the Class.
    3. Students, begin the course by:
      • LIVE CLASS Students - Coming to the first live Class session on the scheduled date and time.
      • Unlimited Access / Recorded Students - Clicking on the "Recording" and watching Professor Brown’s lecture for Class One.
    4. Weekly Readings: After class, check for any readings (documents/downloads or online readings). Always read the week's materials before starting the assignments.
    5. Watch the movies: Please note that some of the movies have a PG-13 rating for language or behavior. You may print the screenplays and have your parent go through and cross off profanity or scenes not accepted. If you'd like another screenplay to use, you can also google a preferred movie to find alternatives. (Try: "[movie title] script PDF")
    6. Assignments: Complete the homework in the order that it is listed on the page and submit before the next week’s class.
    7. Grading: Submit to a parent for grading if taking the course in Unlimited Access. If taking the course Live or with Instructor Access, submit to the Instructor for grading.
    8. Review: If you are confused at any time,review the recording and PowerPoint for each week.
    9. Continue: Repeat each week until the class is completed.
    10. Finishing: Once the course is completed, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end of the course. Fill in the document for your records. You may also copy and paste the descriptive content of the course (located at the top section of the page). Make sure to record your grades; HSC does not provide record keeping.

For students who want to excel in fiction writing skills and jumpstart college literature courses; this is both a college and career preparatory course.
Sign up for Screenwriting Parts One and Two together, to complete the requisite book; the course is complete with both semesters.

 

Total Classes: 8 

Prerequisite: A thirst to create and a love of story in movies! No HSC course prerequisites. However, it is helpful to either have completed some of the fiction writing courses or to be in any of the fiction courses while taking the Screenwriting course. Your student will also need Word 2007 or later version or the ability to convert a document to a Word-compatible document.

Suggested Grade Level: 9th to 12th grade

Suggested Credit: 2/3 Screenwriting, Creative Writing, or English. For a full credit, keep writing daily and working on your craft & course project.

 

Instructor: Erin M.Brown (AKA Erin Brown Conroy / EB Conroy)

 

Course Description: In your Advanced Fiction Writing Introduction to Screenwriting course, you’ll learn all of the key foundations of screenwriting and creating scripts for movies. Find out what goes into designing stories for film, including how to craft excellent character development and create a powerful storyline. While learning and practicing the special skills of writing for film, you will read through screenplays; watch and analyze classic and current films; watch additional videos related to learning the craft; discuss the conventions of good movies; learn how to craft masterful dialogue; and craft your own scenes and screenplay.

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING SCRIPTS USED IN THIS COURSE: Some of the famous movies scripts that are used in this course as examples contain profanity. The course offers alternate scripts -- and a way to get to those scripts, via links to websites, to choose your own script. Please be informed and make decisions on readings based on this knowledge. Thank you.

  

Course Outline:

Class 1: Screenplay fundamentals-- What is a screenplay? How does a screenplay differ in story from other fiction?
Class 2: What is the format of a screenplay? (Foreword, Introduction)
Class 3: What is a logline? (Chapter One)

Class 4: Crafting loglines and reading scripts
Class 5: The Ten Genres of Film, Part 1 (Chapter Two)

Class 6: The Ten Genres of Film, Part 2 (Chapter Two)
Class 7: Archetypes and Film (Chapter Three)

Class 8: The Beat Sheet (Chapter Four)

 

Course Materials:

  • Word 2007 or later version.
  • Book 1: Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting that You’ll Ever Need, by Blake Snyder, ISBN-10: 1932907009, ISBN-13: 978-1932907001 (http://amzn.to/2GwDM3n or bookfinder.com)
  • Book 2: The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structures for Writers, 3rd Edition, by Christopher Vogler and Michele Montez, ISBN-13: 978-1932907360, ISBN-10: 193290736X (http://amzn.to/2DzkE1W or bookfinder.com).

NOTE: The same book is used in both of the Screenwriting (Parts One and Two) courses.

 

Homework: Approximately two to four hours per week of reading and completing coursework depending on your skills level coming into the course. If you sign up for Instructor Access, all homework will be graded with detailed feedback from the Instructor.