Screenwriting I is a comprehensive ten-week workshop combining instructional lectures, practical writing assignments, and constructive peer review. The course is designed for those new to screenwriting or seeking to strengthen their foundational knowledge and abilities.
Films function as contemporary mythology; they are the narratives audiences turn to for excitement, inspiration, and entertainment. The medium encompasses numerous genres and storytelling approaches: dramatic narratives, comedic stories, action and adventure sagas, science fiction speculation, fantasy worlds, suspenseful thrillers, horror narratives, crime stories, noir sensibilities, epic achievements, western tales, war narratives, romantic comedies, and musical theater pieces. Productions range from lavish blockbuster spectacles to intimate explorations of lived reality. Each tells its story through emotional power and visual imagery that lingers in memory.
A film cannot achieve greatness without beginning with a great screenplay. This course teaches the craft of writing for cinema and the strategies for marketing your creative work.
Whether you aspire to craft short films or feature-length narratives, seeking Hollywood production values or independent aesthetics, we will equip you with the knowledge required to write screenplays that command attention and resonate visually.
This course establishes a comprehensive foundation in screenwriting fundamentals and positions you to begin composing your own screenplay.
Course structure includes:
- Instructional lectures covering core concepts
- Applied writing assignments and exercises
- Peer review and critique of individual student work (each student presents twice)
Detailed Course Syllabus:
Online course modules
- Week 1
- Foundational Screenwriting Concepts: The cinematic and visual storytelling approach. Screenplays as structural blueprints. Sources for story concepts. Crafting a core premise. Distinguishing high-concept from low-concept. Studio versus independent approaches. Understanding genre conventions. Strategic use of outlines and story planning.
- Week 2
- Plot Construction I: Establishing the central dramatic tension. Three-act structural organization. Distinguishing conventional plots from subtle, character-driven narratives. Constructing story maps and visual outlines.
- Week 3
- Character Development: Identifying a compelling central protagonist. Supporting character development. Creating complex characters through conflicting desires and contrasting characteristics. Building detailed character profiles. Demonstrating character through action and behavior.
- Week 4
- Screenplay Format and Technical Writing: Standard screenplay formatting conventions. Crafting effective descriptive passages for a screenplay.
- Week 5
- Scene Craft: Defining and understanding scenes. Optimal scene duration. Core principles of effective scenes: dramatic significance, character objectives and conflict, structural integrity, narrative compression, and visual communication. Sequences and sequence organization. Creating detailed step outlines.
- Week 6
- Dialogue and Speech: Creating dialogue that mimics authentic speech while remaining compressed. Character development through dialogue. Implicit meaning and subtext in dialogue. Handling exposition through conversation. Stage directions and action. Voice-over narration techniques.
- Week 7
- Subplot Architecture: Purpose and strategic function of subplots. Romantic subplots and their integration. Alternative subplot types involving the protagonist. Secondary character story threads. Structural principles for subplots. Identifying and weaving subplots into larger narratives.
- Week 8
- Plot Construction II: Designing compelling opening sequences. Methods for sustaining dramatic momentum throughout Act II. Crafting powerful climactic sequences. Integration of flashback techniques and temporal structure.
- Week 9
- Tone, Theme, and Revision Strategies: Establishing tone through genre expectations, created world, and emotional register. Maintaining tonal consistency. Understanding the theme conceptually. Categorizing different types of thematic material. Integrating the theme throughout the narrative. Examining revision approaches and editing methodology.
- Week 10
- The Screenwriting Industry: Constructing effective pitches and pitch presentations. Studio systems, production companies, and representation. Pathways for presenting work to industry professionals. Query letter composition. Professional screenwriting career development.
Note: Individual classes may vary in specific content covered.
About Online Instruction
- Online classes attract students from worldwide locations to Gotham, New York City's premier screenwriting institution.
- Course instruction occurs asynchronously, allowing flexibility rather than real-time session requirements. You can complete coursework any day or time, though material progresses weekly and specific accomplishments should occur within each designated week.
- Online participation is possible from any location with internet connectivity. While our student base is predominantly located throughout the United States, we welcome learners from virtually every nation globally.
- Dedicated technical support staff are available to assist you.
- A significant advantage of our online program is the retention of complete course materials for future reference. You can preserve and review all written information and visual materials throughout your career development. (Content is delivered as text and image files rather than video format.)
