Learn the fundamentals of screenplay development while crafting your ideas into a script.

There are no available registration dates at this time.

NOTE: This class will be held in an online format using the Zoom platform.
Class meets at 10am EST
This course is part of our Young Artist program, Open to all high school-aged students

The basis for any great film is a great story and turning a story into a screenplay is the important first step in filmmaking.  This workshop will give teens a foundation in understanding how screenplays are written and developed. Students will explore screenplay format, the writer’s process, concept, character development, structure and story arcs.  Participants learn about writing visually and creating memorable characters and authentic dialogue.

This workshop is a writer’s lab and provides time for each student to develop ideas and write.   Students must bring story ideas to this workshop.

If you have a screenplay-in-progress, you will learn how to revise, sharpen and polish your script.  If you are developing an idea or outline that is on its way to becoming a script, you will leave the course having written a “treatment” that details the flow of the script, a document that will incorporate scenes you write at the workshop.   We will also explore how the film and television industries work and how careers are launched.

Class time is divided between lectures on the dynamics of screenwriting and discussion of student scripts. The instructor will also be available for one-on-one sessions throughout the week.

 

Please note: Participants might incur streaming rental costs of $10-20 to watch assigned films at home.

Testimonials:

“Eye opening, constructive and liberating.”  Benjamin Gordon, NYC, NY

“One of the best educational experiences I’ve ever had” – Gabriel Magadieu, Falmouth, ME

Students may request a transcript be sent to their high school for possible credit.

Image Credits:  Darcy Aders, Devin Altobello

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Instructor: Wayne Beach

Wayne Beach has written screenplays for Warner Bros., Twentieth Century Fox, Disney, Sony, TNT, Village Roadshow Pictures, Wolf Films, and other studios and networks. His students have gone on to create box office hits and popular TV shows.

He recently created and wrote an original television pilot, American Dream, for Sony. His pitch for it inspired a bidding war between Showtime, FX, and WGN. He also recently finished an assignment adapting a novel for Identity Films, producers of The Old Man & the Gun.

His filmed screenplay credits include Murder at 1600 (Warner Bros.) starring Wesley Snipes, Diane Lane and Alan Alda; and The Art of War (Warner Bros.) starring Wesley Snipes. He wrote and directed Slow Burn (Lionsgate) starring Ray Liotta, LL Cool J, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mekhi Phifer, Jolene Blalock, and Taye Diggs. His directorial debut, Slow Burn premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released in 1100 theaters by Lionsgate. He has written projects for the makers of Pirates of the Caribbean, Law & Order, House M.D., Ocean’s Eleven, The Perfect Storm, Total Recall, The Fugitive Platoon, and many others.

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