Learn about writing a great script including storytelling, working with screenwriting software, and revising scripts. Discover filmmaking tips for anyone who wants to make a short.
Overview
Syllabus
Welcome
- Welcome to this series
- The importance of the script
- Previewing our short film
- Plot vs. character-driven stories
- What is a story?
- Making a strong protagonist
- Having a character arc
- Creating a logline
- Using a three-act structure
- Identifying story beats
- The importance of conflict
- Writing the truth
- Showing, not telling
- Where can you get ideas for stories?
- Being inspired by resources
- Borrowing from archetypes
- About genre conventions
- Creating backstories and mythologies
- Inventing new linguistic rules
- Using supernatural forces
- About exposition and narration
- Studying Hollywood prologues
- Understanding the cost of what you write
- Examining our original story
- Setting up calls and responses
- Creating shadow characters
- Why omit the final battle scene?
- Exploring the theme
- Writing a pickup scene
- Understanding screenplay formatting
- Using Final Draft
- Using Adobe Story
- Writing with a partner
- About writing credits
- About the polishing phase
- Recruiting script reviewers
- Seeing from an audience's point of view
- Ensuring everything matters
- Using subtext
- Adding more humanity
- Contrasting beginnings and endings
- Creating a “mystery box”
- When is the script done?
- Why was a rewrite necessary?
- Examining the new beats
- Repurposing existing shots
- Enhancing conflict
- Throwing away the best parts
- Evaluating our script
- My favorite screenwriting resources
- Previewing the next course
- Final thoughts
Taught by
Chad Perkins