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Mastering Screenwriting: An Interactive Online Course

Join Professor Christopher Bradley to learn screenwriting fundamentals interactively through lectures, discussions, and assignments. Discover the art of storytelling and character development as you navigate through the course structure. Success lies in active participation and timely submissions. Follow the guidelines and engage with your peers for a rewarding learning experience.

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Mastering Screenwriting: An Interactive Online Course

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  1. Lecture 1a:Taking an Online Course & Course Introduction Professor Christopher Bradley Our Textbook

  2. Christopher Bradley • Instructor, Film and Media Studies, Arizona State University • I Teach Courses in Screenwriting and Story Analysis • MFA in Screenwriting (UCLA), BFA in Theatre (Texas Christian University) • I have also been a professional actor for many years • I am currently at work on both a short film and a screenplay

  3. In This Lesson • What kind of distance learning course is this? • How can you succeed? • Assignments • What do we study in this course? The Exorcist (1973) Donnie Darko (2001)

  4. What Kind of Distance Learning Course Is This? Lesson 1a: Part I

  5. For Starters… • It’s Not an Automated Course • It’s Not a Self-Paced Course • This Course Emphasizes Interactivity • Participation is Fundamental to the Success of Our Course – Discussion Board

  6. The Advantages of this Course • Flexibility… Not Limited by Space • Study Materials Available 24/7 • Lectures (streaming audio w/ PowerPoint) • Interactive discussion board • Structured Like a Traditional Course • Complements Multiple Learning Styles • Lots of Interactivity

  7. The Disadvantages • Students that learn best through face-to-face discussion can struggle in this environment. • Ways to compensate, such as arranging real-time meetings with classmates and your professor • Students that are not well organized tend to not do well in this environment. • Meet your deadlines!

  8. How to Succeed (get an “A”) in This Course Lesson 1a: Part II

  9. Course Organization • Lessons Contain: • Lectures • Interactivity (Discussion Board) 9

  10. Guidelines for the Class • Give notes that are respectful, sensitive and that inspire! • Turn your weekly pages in on time, every time. • Provide your notes for your partner on time, every time. • Turn in your completed screenplay, having formed and shaped it based on the feedback you’ve received.

  11. Assignments Lesson 1a: Part III

  12. Listen to the Lectures • Yes, you’ve taken a screenwriting course before, but mastery is about knowing and re-knowing the fundamentals! • The lectures will be short and will make your work for the week easier!

  13. Participation • Participation (including feedback) is 50% of Your Final Grade • Your Participation Grade is Based On: • Keeping Up with Discussion Board Posts • Quality of Posts and Feedback • Being on time with your posts You will do well in this class if you participate on time, with quality posts and feedback!

  14. Participation (Cont.) • What you post and the feedback you give will: • Demonstrate proper screenwriting format • Demonstrate an understanding of quality story, structure and character • Demonstrate an ability to recognize these in the writing of your fellow students

  15. Assignments • Your final screenplay will count as the other 50% of your grade. • It will be very difficult for you to do well if you get behind! Finish early!

  16. Assignments (continued) • You will create a logline (where you tell the entirety of your story in 3-4 sentences). • You will write a 2 page (single-spaced) treatment. Keep it simple and concise! • You will write a screenplay of 90-110 pages, 15 pages at a time, while giving feedback to your fellow students.

  17. What Do We Study in This Class? What’s Up, Doc? (1972) directed by Peter Bogdanovich Lesson1a: Part IV

  18. Three Aspects of Every Great Screenplay • Strong Story • Solid Structure (These two are inextricable – you can’t have one without the other!) • Believable, multi-dimensional characters 18

  19. Screenplay Structure • Opening Hook • Ordinary World • Inciting Incident • New World/New Rules • Mid-Point • Big Pit • Climax • Resolution (Not all films have all aspects, in this order, but these are the basics of most film stories.) 19

  20. Be Aware of Film Content • Genre • Representation • Race and Ethnicity • Class • Gender and Sexuality • All films are created by people and are therefore historical, subjective & political. 20

  21. Other Course Aspects • Theme • Exposition • Composition • Re-Writing Citizen Kane (1941) Directed by Orson Welles

  22. Seven Things to Remember • Go through the Website, or Virtual Classroom, with Care; Know it Well • Study the Syllabus Well • Get to Know Your Classmates • Keep up with all Lesson Tasks • Turn Assignments in on Time, Written at a College Level • Discuss with Rigor & Respect • Enjoy yourself! It’s film, after all!

  23. End of Lecture 1a Please continue to Lecture 1b, Your Logline

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