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Skillshare

Screenwriting Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Screenwriting

via Skillshare

Overview

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You'll master the entire scriptwriting process & come away knowing how to turn your idea into a great screenplay.

You're here because you want to learn how to write a screenplay, right?

Perhaps you want to be a screenwriter in the film industry, or you have a story idea in your head and want to put it down on paper.

This is the right place for you to learn the entire screenwriting process.

We'll walk you through essential steps of crafting a great screenplay, including: how to come up with great story ideas, develop your characters, format your screenplay using free and professional applications, revise your draft, and steps you can take once you have a polished script.

Why take this course?

By the end of this course, you will have all the skills needed to write your own screenplay. Each section of the course builds upon the previous with new skills and practical activities. By taking action and doing these activities, you'll actually be writing your script as you take this course. So not only will you gain the knowledge and skills, but by following all of the course activities you can come away with a screenplay of your own!

Get instant access to everything you need to master screenwriting:

  • 3+ hours of premium video lessons

  • Downloadable guides and workbooks

  • Fun activities to help you take action

  • Instructor support and feedback

  • and so much more!

Course overview:

  • Learn the importance of originality

  • Find your unique writing style and voice

  • Develop a routine that makes you a productive writer

  • Create three dimensional characters, including your protagonist, antagonist and supporting characters

  • Write great stories with the 3-act story structure

  • Understand each act of storytelling

  • Write a synopsis for your screenplay

  • Build your synopsis into an outline

  • Write and format your script

  • Use Final Draft and free tools for writing your screenplay

  • Rewriting and revising your script draft

  • Advanced breakdown and analysis of films and screenplays

  • What to do after your screenplay is written

Who is your instructor?

The lead instructor for this course is Brian Birmingham, a professional copywriter who currently works in the film, television and gaming industry writing ad content, special shoot scripts, print copy and more. Brian has established himself as an incredible storyteller and writer, with several screenplays under his belt. Brian received his Bachelor of Arts in Screenwriting from one of the United States' top film schools, Loyola Marymount University.

If you want to quickly and easily learn screenwriting, this is the course for you.

Cheers,

Brian Birmingham

Syllabus

  • Welcome to Class
  • Exercise 1 - Write Down 5 Favorite Movies
  • The Importance of Originality
  • Originality in Practice
  • Exercise 2 - What Interests You + Free Association Writing
  • How to Find Ideas for Your Next Screenplay
  • How Moral Truths Shape Stories
  • Exercise 3 - Let Your Story Begin
  • Developing Your Story Naturally
  • The Premise
  • Giving Your Premise an Original Hook
  • Exercise 4 - Finalize Your Premise
  • Who and what is the Protagonist?
  • Who and what is the Antagonist?
  • Who are the Supporting Characters?
  • Writing Three Dimensional Characters for Your Script
  • Exercise 5 - Create Your Characters
  • Basic Story Structure
  • What Happens in Act One?
  • What Happens in Act Two?
  • What Happens in Act Three?
  • Exercise 6 - Write Your Synopsis
  • Writing the Outline
  • What Does a Screenplay Outline Look Like?
  • Exercise 7 - Write Your Outline
  • How to Format a Screenplay + Final Draft Tutorial
  • Writing a Screenplay in a Free App like Google Docs
  • Preparing Your First Screenplay Draft
  • Writing Dialogue
  • Writing Descriptive Action
  • Exercise 8 - Write the First Draft of Your Screenplay
  • Revising Your First Screenplay Draft
  • The Fundamentals of Storytelling
  • Character Breakdown
  • Structure Breakdown
  • What To Do After You've Written Your Screenplay
  • Final Screenwriting Advice
  • Thank You
  • Bonus: Phil & Brian Chat About Screenwriting

Taught by

Brian Birmingham

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