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Scripts in Focus Level I: 6 Weeks (Self-Paced)

Unleash the power of your words and transform them into captivating scripts that resonate with your audience. Explore the art of scriptwriting with expert guidance and hands-on exercises.

  • All levels
  • 18 and older
  • $364
  • Online Classroom
  • 47 hours & 30 minutes over 2 sessions

Start Dates (1)

  • $364
  • Online Classroom
  • 47 hours & 30 minutes over 2 sessions
  • Includes $25 Reg Fee
    Class accessible anytime within the session dates
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  • Wed, May 15 at 12:00am - 11:45pm
  • Wed, Jun 26 at 12:00am - 11:45pm
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Class Description

Description

What you'll learn in this screenwriting class:

To excel at writing screenplays or TV scripts, you must write regularly and read scripts from a writer’s perspective. Painters typically learn their craft by studying the work of masters, and most accomplished scriptwriters do the same. Who better to show you the ropes of great screenwriting and TV writing than the best in the business?

Each week, students focus on an aspect of scriptwriting craft in relation to a specific movie or TV episode. Like works of fine art, these scripts are analyzed from various angles as their secrets are revealed. (The reading consists of a mixture of film and TV scripts, all of which are provided.)

If you seek to elevate your scriptwriting, let those who have been there show the way.

Each week, students read (perhaps also view) and discuss a script—either a movie or TV show—analyzing the works from a writer's perspective. Exercises let students explore, first-hand, the techniques being discussed.

Course components:
  • Lectures
  • Reading/viewing assignments
  • Writing exercises
Script Analysis is open to writers of all levels. Students must be 18 years or older.

Course Syllabus:
This course features the studying of film and TV scripts (with scripts supplied to the class).

Gotham has two separate programs for Scripts in Focus. They complement each other, and many students take both programs, but it makes no difference which one is taken first. If you take one program, then enroll again for Scripts in Focus, Gotham will make sure you are placed in the other program.

The topics covered in one program (x):

Genres:
Tour of genres. Importance of knowing your genre. Finding the singularity within your genre.

Script analyzed:
a recent script that varies

Comedy:
The genre defined. The singularity of this script. The genre in action.

Script analyzed:
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt pilot episode by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock

Comedy/Drama:
The genre defined. The singularity of this script. The genre in action.

Script analyzed:
Little Miss Sunshine by Michael Arndt

Crime/Drama:
The genre defined. The singularity of this script. The genre in action.

Script analyzed:
Breaking Bad pilot episode by Vince Gilligan

Thriller:
The genre defined. The singularity of this script. The genre in action.

Script analyzed:
Michael Clayton by Tony Gilroy

Science Fiction/Horror/Action-Adventure:
The genre defined. The singularity of this script. The genre in action.

Script analyzed:
Aliens by James Cameron


And the topics covered in the other program (y):
Coming soon!

Note: Content may vary among individual classes.

Important:

  • Schedule posted is the Start and End date of the class. You may access the class at any time, day or night, within the schedule provided. Please see Online Class Delivery for more details.
  • Registrants will receive email instructions and information on how to access the online classroom.

Remote Learning

This course is available for "remote" learning and will be available to anyone with access to an internet device with a microphone (this includes most models of computers, tablets). Classes will take place with a "Live" instructor at the date/times listed below.

Upon registration, the instructor will send along additional information about how to log-on and participate in the class.

Refund Policy

All Classes (except One-day and Zoom Intensives and Write-Ins):

  • For a refund or credit, contact us three business days or more before your class starts. You can either choose to hold a full credit with us good for one year on other Gotham classes OR you can opt for a refund less a $25 administrative fee and your $25 registration fee ($50 total).
  • If you need to withdraw after your class has started (or two business days before it starts), you won’t receive a refund, but you’re welcome to a Gotham credit less the price of Week 1 and your $25 registration fee, but we need to hear from you three business days or more before Week 2 meets for that to happen. After that point, no credits are available.

One-day and Zoom Intensives:

  • You may reschedule a One-day or Zoom Intensive one time, if you notify us two business days before the class begins. After that first reschedule, there is a $25 rescheduling fee.
  • If you notify us three business days or more before your class begins, rescheduling is free. If you notify us less than three business days before your class begins, there is a $25 rescheduling fee. If you don’t notify us until after your class begins, we cannot reschedule you.
  • You may get a refund (minus a $50 fee) if you notify us three business days or more before your class begins.

Write-Ins:

  • If you withdraw 1 business day or more before it begins, you’re welcome to a full credit good for one year toward another Write-In. No refunds are available.
  • If you simply don’t show up and don’t notify us in advance, you forfeit your money.

A few more things:

  • Credits are valid for one year and cannot be changed into refunds down the road.
  • Simply not attending class or notifying the instructor does not mean you've officially withdrawn.
  • Some exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis for medical emergencies with a doctor's note.
  • Refunds take up to six weeks to process.

Please understand, we can't issue a refund after classes have started, even if you miss your first class. Similarly, we can't offer you a credit one day before your second class or after that. We understand that other obligations get in the way of attending class, but these policies allow us to get other interested writers into class early enough to have a good experience, and this allows us to offer our classes at a reasonable price.

Important Notes:

  • Students are allowed to join a class in the second week.
  • Only those who pay the tuition in full can be guaranteed a place in class.
  • Class dates and times may be subject to change. A substitute may be assigned or make-up classes added to the end of the term.
  • Auditing and the recording of classes are not allowed.
  • For all classes, students receive a record of payment and registration.
  • Gotham reserves the right to remove any student at our discretion.
  • Gotham does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, socioeconomic status, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, or marital status.
  • Our courses are not intended to provide instruction that will result in the student's acquisition of occupational skills.

In any event where a customer wants to cancel their enrollment and is eligible for a full refund, a 5% processing fee will be deducted from the refund amount.

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Gotham Writers Workshop

Gotham Writers Workshop is a creative home in New
York City and Online where writers develop their craft and come together in the
spirit of discovery and fellowship. We’ve been teaching creative writing to
students since 1993.




We believe that everyone has a story to tell.
Indeed, many stories. Keep your...

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