A 4-week Online Course to begin Feb 4, 2009.

With Dave Trottier

Course Objectives: To help you select and develop a writing project that you can develop into a successful screenplay. To teach the core screenwriting fundamentals that make a difference, including current spec style and conventions. To get you off to a fast start and heading the right direction with your script.

Course Text: The Fourth Edition of The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier.

Course start date:  Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Requirements: All you need is Internet access. If you're reading this, you qualify. There are no prerequisites for the course.

Week 1 (Feb 4) - Story Structure and Story Dynamics

Reading:  Pages 3-22 and 30-43.  Review pages 113-185.
Homework: Submit a two-page writing sample of a scene or sequence

Week 2 (Feb 11) - Concept and Core Story

Reading:  Pages 23-29, 84-95, 317-318.
Homework: Submit up to four brief story ideas you'd like to write.  A story idea consists of three things:  1) title and genre;  2) a logline, "what if" question, concept statement, or other one-line hook; and 3) a paragraph describing the story content.

Week 3 (Feb 18) – Character, Dialogue, and Subtext

Reading:  Pages 43-68 and 96-101.
Homework: 1) Select the story idea you want to write, 2) Submit brief character sketches of your 3-5 main characters (about half a page for each character discussing traits, attitudes, viewpoint, goal/need, psychology, etc.); 3) Write a three-page, double-spaced  treatment of your story

Week 4 (Feb 25) - Suspense, Comedy, Theme, and Spec Writing

Reading:  Pages 68-80, 207-219, 233-254.
Homework: The first 15 pages of your screenplay.
All homework assignments may be submitted anytime they are ready.  There are no hard deadlines.  Take whatever time you need.  I will evaluate all homework assignments and return them to you in a timely manner.

Communication

We will have three means of communication:

1) A chat-room where we will meet as a group for one hour every Wednesday day or night depending on which group you sign up for on the registration form.

Group A chats will begin on Feb 4 at 1:00 p.m. Mountain Time That's 20:00 London time, 21:00 Berlin and Lagos (Nigeria) time, 3:00 p.m. Eastern (USA) time, and 5:00 a.m. February 5 Sydney (Australia) time.

Group B chats will begin on February 4 at 8:00 p.m. Mountain Time.   That's 7:00 p.m. Pacific time; 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

The last meeting for both groups will be February 25.  These chat sessions are simply one-hour question-and-answer periods with me. 

2) A 24-hour discussion board where you can discuss issues with other students. I will occasionally chime in and answer questions that are posted here.

3) E-mail for sending homework and asking personal questions. You can attach your homework as a Word file, RTF, PDF, Final Draft file or Movie Magic file; or snail mail it to me directly, or fax it to me at 801-756-5781. In some cases, I may print out your attached file so I can write comments on it; in such cases, your homework will be returned by U.S. mail. 

Class procedure
A class week ends on Wednesday.  The homework may be submitted any time during the week. (Homework may be submitted as late or early as you wish.)  On Wednesdays, those who wish to will meet together in a chat room with me for a question-and-answer period of one hour.   There will also be a 24-hour discussion board for students to communicate among themselves and share ideas.

Registration details

Each class group will be limited to ten students each.  Early registration is suggested.

Tuition is $210, but there is a discount for early registration.

Cost of book: $23 (includes shipping and handling for US and Canada; international orders add another $12).  This only applies to students who don't have a copy of the fourth edition of The Screenwriter's Bible.