Writing Screenplays for Film

Joseph M. Schuster
Spring 2002
Office: SV 246
Phone: (314)968-5931
e-mail: schuster@webster.edu

Overview

Writing Screenplays for Film introduces students to the fundamentals of telling interesting stories for the screen. We'll consider characterization, structure, suspense, tension. and other elements of craft. Students will write a screenplay for a 30-minute film, or the first act for a feature film.

Text

The Screenwriter's Bible, by Trottier

The Course

Week 1
Introduction
Some basics about the course. We'll talk about the films we like and why we like them. Viewing: "Life Lessons" from New York Stories

Week 2-3
Script Analysis
We'll watch the feature film we chose in week one, and discuss its script--structure, suspense and tension, character development, resolution.
. Assignment: Bring the opening seven to 10 minutes of a film and be prepared to discuss how the scene(s) reveal character and set up situation, conflict, etc.; also, one-paragraph plot synopsis due week 4.

Week 4
Character
We'll talk about creating and developing effective characters.
Assignment: two-page scene and one montage due week 5.
Handout: Some Notes on Character

Week 5
Workshop
Your scenes and sequences. Assignment: engaging an audience's emotional response. Bring a short film clip, four to five minutes, that carries emotional impact, and be prepared to talk about how the film achieves that.

Week 6 Discussion
Emotional impact.
Assignment: treatment
Handout: Some Thoughts on Manipulating Emotional Response

Week 7
Individual Conferences

Week 8
Workshop
Your treatments

SPRING BREAK

Week 9-12
Individual Conferences and Exercises
Assignment: script due Friday of week 12

Week 13-16
Workshop
Your script

Policies

•You must use standard screenplay format for your script.

As this is a workshop course, attendance is important. therefore note that I'll base your grade on three items: