WRITING THE FIRST SCREENPLAY - I April 14 through June 16, 2015 Instructor: Hank Nelken Course Description The first in a 4-part sequence designed to take you through the full process of writing a feature film screenplay, this course grounds you in the key craft elements of story structure, plot, scene development, character, theme, genre, and dialogue, and shows you how they work together to grip an audience's emotions. You learn how to create and evaluate story ideas; explore how characters' inner wants and immediate goals shape and drive a screenplay's action; see what constitutes compelling plots and subplots; and learn how to construct a scene. Throughout the course, you complete a series of exercises which serve as the basis for your script outline, a prose description of your screenplay. The course goal is to learn how to write effective, compelling scenes and to create a 4-5 page outline which clearly delineates your script's beginning, middle, and end. The ability to write an effective outline is a critical skill for the professional screenwriter, serves as the basis for most pitches, and is required for admission into X 440B Writing the First Screenplay II. As UCLA's principal provider of continuing education, the majority of UCLA Extension courses are designed for the post-baccalaureate professional-level student. Enrollment is therefore normally reserved for adult students 18 years of age and older. The Writers Program may consent to enroll younger students based on special academic competence and approval of the instructor. Students who enroll in a Writers Program course without first receiving permission of the instructor are subject to withdrawal. To request the instructor s approval, please contact the Writers Program. Workshopping Guidelines My one and only rule of workshop is this: encourage each other in a positive, constructive, non-judgemental manner so that we create an environment where everyone feels safe enough to fail. In other words, don t be a jerk. Grades are based on a 100 point system. 50 points - written assignments 25 points - participation in class 25 points - attendance Writers Program Contact: If you need assistance with any administrative issues with regard to this class please contact the Writers Program directly at (310) 825-9415/Writers@uclaextension.edu
PRE-CLASS ASSIGNMENT: PREPARE 1 TO 3 LOGLINES TO PITCH IN FIRST CLASS WEEK ONE CHOOSING AN IDEA April 14, 2015 LECTURE: THE ART OF STORYTELLING Meet and Greet Tone, Genre, and Title High Concept vs. Low Concept Crafting loglines IN CLASS: Pitch and Discuss Your loglines **NO MORE THAN 3 LOGLINES PER STUDENT WILL BE HEARD WRITING ASSIGNMENT: Refine your logline READING ASSIGNMENT: Cut to the Chase, Chapter 1 Hollywood Storytelling: Its Enduring Appeal and Universal Principles by Billy Mernit WEEK TWO - STRUCTURE April 21, 2015 LECTURE: 9 BEAT OUTLINE Three Act Structure IN CLASS: Re-pitch loglines, receive feedback, select story to work on WRITING ASSIGNMENT: Prepare 9 beat outline, 1 page maximum READING ASSIGNMENT: Cut to the Chase, Chapter 2 Jump-starting the Screenplay by Jon Bernstein WEEK THREE - CHARACTER April 28, 2015 LECTURE: CHARACTER Types of character archetypes Character arc It s all about attitude Want vs. Need
Dialogue IN CLASS: Discuss your 9 Big Beats WRITING ASSIGNMENT: Revise your 9 Big Beats READING ASSIGNMENT: Cut to the Chase, Chapter 3 What Happens Next? : Structuring the Screenplay by Andy Guerdat WEEK FOUR ACT ONE May 5, 2015 LECTURE: BEGINNINGS Opening scene First 12 pages Something s missing Opportunity knocks IN CLASS: Discuss your revised 9 beats WRITING ASSIGNMENT: Write 10 to 15 beats of act one, 1 page max READING ASSIGNMENT: Cut to the Chase, Chapter 4 Building Characters by Cindy Davis WEEK FIVE ACT TWO, FIRST HALF May 12, 2015 LECTURE: SECOND ACT PART A Act 2A Fun and Games Promise of the premise Mid Point Raise the stakes IN CLASS: Discuss your 10 TO 15 beats of act one WRITING ASSIGNMENT: Write 10 to 15 beats of Act 2A, 1 page max READING ASSIGNMENT: Cut to the Chase, Chapter 5 Deepening Characters and Defining Their Arcs by Billy Mernit WEEK SIX ACT TWO, SECOND HALF May 19, 2015
LECTURE: SECOND ACT PART B Act 2B The fit hits the shan Love is in the air Rock Bottom IN CLASS: Discuss your 1O TO 15 beats of Act 2A WRITING ASSIGNMENT: Write 10 to 15 beats of Act 2B, 1 page max READING ASSIGNMENT: Cut to the Chase, Chapter 6 Outlining the Screenplay by Juliet Aires Giglio WEEK SEVEN ACT THREE May 26, 2015 LECTURE: ENDINGS Epiphany Final choice Showdown Who am I now? IN CLASS: Discuss your 10 TO 15 beats of Act 2B WRITING ASSIGNMENT: Write 10 to 15 beats of Act 3, 1 page max READING ASSIGNMENT: Cut to the Chase, Chapter 7 Writing Through the First Draft by Steve Mazur WEEK EIGHT SET PIECES June 2, 2015 LECTURE: SET PIECES IN CLASS: Discuss your 10 to 15 beats of Act Three WRITING ASSIGNMENT: Prepare outline for your whole story, 4 pages maximum READING ASSIGNMENT: Cut to the Chase, Chapter 8 The Who, What, Where, When, Why (and How!) of Writing a Scene by Dan Vining
WEEK NINE - OUTLINE June 9, 2015 LECTURE: THE ART OF THE PITCH IN CLASS: Discuss your full outline WRITING ASSIGNMENT: Refine your full outline, 4 pages maximum READING ASSIGNMENT: Cut to the Chase, Chapter 9 Pictures in Motion: Scenes and the Movement They Create by Chrysanthy Balis WEEK TEN - OUTLINE June 16, 2015 LECTURE: BEING A PROFESSIONAL SCREENWRITER IN CLASS: Discuss your final 4 page outline, receive feedback, party!