Screenwriting

The essential building block of any story is to create unforgettable characters, but how exactly is that done? Why do some characters seem real while others fall flat? For novelists and screenwriters, this course will break down the essential elements of a great character, how to reveal true character, and give you the practical tools you need to develop excellent characters of your own.

Finding Your Story
The choice of what story to tell is the most important decision you will make as a writer. Don't waste valuable time and energy on a story that won't get published or produced. Is your story character driven? Is it marketable? Is it expensive? Are you "milking your genre"? We will discuss personal and market place factors you should consider in choosing what story to tell, and how to apply the “Hollywood formula” to your story.

We'll use the Hollywood Beat Sheet to learn how to flesh out your story, make sure the main character drives the action, and develop an easy to use roadmap to help you get to the end. This class may change your life. It did mine. (If possible, please watch the film "Witness" starring Harrison Ford prior to attending this workshop.)

Have difficulty getting from Act One to Act Three?  Do you find that your story lags in Act Two, or worse, you get lost and don't know how to finish?  If you've tried other approaches to the three-act structure, but still seem to have difficulty finishing your project, this is the class for you.