Scripts in Focus Level I: 6 Weeks (Online)

To develop strong, professional-caliber screenwriting and television writing skills that meet industry standards and attract professional interest, writers must commit to frequent and disciplined writing practice and engage deeply and critically with professional scripts from a writer's analytical perspective rather than as a passive consumer or entertainment seeker. Just as visual artists advance their craft and technical skills by studying and analyzing masterworks created by legendary painters, sculptors, and contemporary artists, accomplished screenwriters and television writers typically ground their professional development and learning in careful, detailed study of exceptional script examples and industry-leading work from established professionals. Who could be better positioned to teach exceptional screenwriting technique, sophisticated television writing craft, and current industry practices and standards than successful professional writers, showrunners, and producers who work at the highest levels of the entertainment industry and understand precisely what networks, studios, and demanding audiences require and expect?

Each week, participants examine a specific, carefully selected, focused element of screenwriting craft through the detailed analytical lens of a particular film, television episode, or dramatic work that exemplifies strong professional work. These selected scripts function as carefully chosen models comparable to celebrated paintings or sculptures worthy of detailed academic study and careful analysis. Through structured analysis of narrative story structure and arc, dialogue craftsmanship and authenticity, nuanced character development and emotional depth, industry formatting conventions and standards, and sophisticated scene construction, pacing, and visual storytelling, you'll absorb and internalize how master writers handle the fundamental challenges and creative opportunities of the screenwriting craft. Small group seminar discussion and peer feedback develop your critical analytical eye, deepen your understanding of craft elements, and strengthen your capacity to evaluate and refine your own writing effectively with growing skill and judgment. You'll also complete writing exercises that directly apply the concepts and techniques discussed in class to your own developing work and scripts.

Who Should Attend:

• Writers genuinely committed and motivated to developing professional-caliber screenplays and television scripts worthy of industry submission
• Anyone seriously seeking to understand the specific craft elements and techniques that distinguish professional, produced work from amateur or unpublished writing
• Aspiring screenwriters and television writers actively preparing scripts for industry submission, agent representation, and potential sale to studios or networks

Weekly Topics Include:

• Story structure, narrative architecture, and compelling plot development through three-act construction
• Character development, backstory, character arcs, and emotional authenticity in scripts
• Dialogue craftsmanship, authenticity, and developing a distinctive character voice in different genres
• Scene construction, pacing, visual storytelling, and managing exposition
• Industry standards, formatting conventions, proper script presentation, and industry practices
• Genre-specific demands, audience expectations, and market considerations