Perfecting the Basics of Screenwriting
Reviews Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5
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Diana Budur Very good basic intro course. -
Jessica Rose Loved Mary's teaching process! Will definitely take other classes if she offers them in the future.
Other education that may be of interest to you:
The Breakdown Webcast: Exposition as Ammunition
Remember that every line of dialogue matters, every image has a purpose, and there are no wasted bullets in the gun! We're kicking off another month of a packed Writers' Room schedule with the Breakdown Webcast: Exposition as Ammunition! Many writers struggle with how to get out critical information and backstory to the audience in an organic way. So during this webcast, we discuss how to get the audience the information they need without a lecture they don't want. During this webcast we'll discuss different ways of getting out information in a way that feels organic to the narrative and the characters. We examine some of the best - and worst - examples from film and television!
How to Write a 1 Hour TV Pilot and Position it to Sell it in Today's Market
Part 1 - Playing the Field Steve discusses the kinds of 1 hour TV pilots networks are looking for, and more importantly, what kinds they are not. He talks about the differences between cable, network, and online (Netflix, Hulu, etc.) as well as the differences between procedurals and serialized series. Part 2 - Character and Structure Steve leads a discussion on characterization. He runs through some of his favorite TV characters and explores the development process most networks go through to amp up the characterization in scripts. He also explores supporting cast, archetypes, structure and act breaks. Part 3 - Creating an Engine to Your Show Steve discusses the engine of a TV show. He runs through the importance of a clear week-to-week and explores series longevity and how to craft story lines that can stretch out for 3-8 years.
PowerNetworking For Screenwriters
Learn directly from Heather Hale, an Independent Film and Television Director, Screenwriter and Producer! In this exclusive 90 minute Next Level Webinar, Heather will teach you how to identify your most efficient points of entry into the business and ways to step up into the big leagues, specifically where to focus your networking and marketing energies. Heather will inspire you to think more strategically and act more provocatively when it comes to your work and your career. Discover not only how to brainstorm, but how to identify and research a finely honed short hit list of agents and managers truly appropriate to the type of material you write. Find your unique voice, where you’re at in your career and where you want to be. Heather will also help you identify marquis-value actors truly appropriate for your roles and directors bankable in your genre or budget range. Learn various empowered approaches to get on their radars and get your literary assets in gear! This is an all inclusive webinar for screenwriters designed to help you stop wasting time and make the proper connections and contacts that will get your work in the right, targeted hands and improve your odds of success.
Cutaways - Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Family Guy, The Princess Bride, Narcos, The Big Short
We take a look at how writers use cutaways to drive home punchlines in Family Guy and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, explain big ideas in The Big Short, give historical context in Narcos, and frame stories in The Princess Bride.
Is There A Market For Your Short Film? Distribution, Recognition & Monetization
Many beginning filmmakers, even many accomplished ones, remain confused about “the market”, when it comes to short films. But the true question is not “Is there a market?” but rather “Is there a market for me, my film, in the short film world?” The answer is an unconditional “Yes.” Short films are more popular than ever. With more and more film festivals catering to short films, increasing outlets for distribution, and online platforms offering the promise of revenue sharing models, the appeal of making a short film is on the rise. But how do you market your short film? How do you increase your chances of not only being seen, but even making a return on a short film? The answers are out there, if you know the right questions to ask. David Paterson, is an accomplished writer, director, and producer of short films that have been seen in over 100 film festivals throughout the world. David knows that the "marketing" of your short begins well before FADE IN. And as an advisor to four major film festivals as well as performing as a juror on several short film contests, David is an expert at the most successful ways to market your short film. David will discuss not only the many marketable elements of a short film, but how you can develop and cater that film to best benefit you as a writer, filmmaker, or producer. He will show you how, by focusing on your talents and profession within the short film, you can maximize "the bang for your buck". Further, David will cover the holy grail that all filmmakers want to master: Distribution, Recognition and Monetization of their short film. None of these three objectives come without pitfalls. In comprehensive fashion, David will walk you through those pitfalls, how to avoid them, and put you on the road to recognizing and obtaining that perfect "market" for your short film. "I find the market for short films daunting. While I love the process of making a film, getting it seen and the idea of making money off of my work has always been a black hole for me. This information made me realize that I've been taking an "all or nothing" approach instead of a targeted one." - Maya V.
Character Introductions - Star Wars, Fargo, The Good Place, Mad Men, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Arrested Development
Great Characters should have Great Introductions. Join us as we breakdown how characters are introduced in features and TV scripts including Star Wars, Fargo, The Good Place, Mad Men, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Arrested Development.
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