Visual Approach To Screenwriting And Dramatic Storytelling

A complete guide to script writing: How to create your screenplay, from basics to techniques of top Hollywood writers

What you'll learn

Learn how to write a professional-level screenplay or teleplay.

Understand the Visual Approach to screen and television writing and why it matters.

Learn essential industry concepts and selling tools like High Concept, the Pitch, and the Logline

How to write the Slug Line and the Action paragraph.

The Do's and Don'ts of writing dialogue that really works.

How to hook the audience: The Setup and the Opening Shot.

How to write exposition that isn't boring: Rules, ten Methods and Examples.

How to write scenes and transitions

How to create and sustain suspense.

Using landscape as character or metaphor.

Know the story you're telling and why it matters.

How to create conflict, the Seven Types of Conflict, how to build to a climax and write the resolution.

Endings: how not to screw it up and the best way to do it.

Requirements

No previous screenwriting or creative writing experience necessary. You will learn everything you need to know.

Description

A comprehensive and unique visual approach on how to create professional level screenplays taught by an award-winning writer of hit television series and movies. Turn your idea into a screenplay that can actually sell! Unlike other courses that focus on inspiration, outlines, selling, etc., this course focuses on actual screenplay writing and how to go about it.The course includes:Introduction to the course and the Visual Approach and how it can help you write a better screenplay.Industry concepts writers need to know, like High Concept, the Pitch, and the Logline.How to write the Slug Line and the Action paragraph (two of the three primary physical components of a screenplay).The Do's and Don'ts of writing dialogue that really works, including the concept of the "Three Texts." Hooking the audience: How to write the Setup and the Opening Shot.How to write Exposition that isn't boring, including "Three Basic Rules of Exposition," plus ten methods of exposition.How to write scenes and transitions, including basic rules, tips and how to avoid the pitfalls, plus how to do scene transitions.Creating and sustaining Suspense, including the "Basic Rule of Suspense," Alfred Hitchcock's approach to suspense, and how to create and sustain suspense.Using landscape and setting as character or metaphor, and how it can add texture and dimension to your screenplay.Know the story you're telling. It's astonishing how many writers don't know the story they're telling and how it can hurt them. Also covers the "surface story" and the "underlying story" and how proper use of both can add power to your story.Conflict, Climax, and Resolution. Learn the "Seven Types of Conflict," how to build to a climax and how to write the resolution to tie things up in ways that work.Endings - or how not to screw it up. The different ways endings can go wrong, how to write a great ending, plus final thoughts and tips on writing, Hollywood, and the writer's craft.“When Andrew Kaplan dispenses his keen insights on the craft of writing, even seasoned pros pay close attention.”- Peter Bart, Editor in Chief of Variety, Senior VP Paramount Pictures, MGM, Film Producer

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Introduction

Section 2: Lecture 2. Lesson 1. Introduction to the Visual Approach to Screenwriting Course

Lecture 2 Introduction to the Visual Approach and Course Overview

Section 3: Lesson 2. High Concept, the Pitch, and the Logline

Lecture 3 Lesson 2. High Concept; Creating your Pitch and your Logline

Section 4: Lesson 3. How to write the Slug Line and the Action Paragraph

Lecture 4 How to write the Slug Line and the Action Paragraph

Section 5: Lesson 4. The Do's and Don'ts of Effective Dialogue

Lecture 5 Lesson 4. The Do's and Don'ts of Effective Dialogue

Section 6: Lesson 5. Hooking the Audience: The Setup and the Opening Shot

Lecture 6 Lesson 5. Hooking the Audience: the Setup and the Opening Shot

Section 7: Lesson 6. Exposition: How to Write Exposition that isn't boring

Lecture 7 Lesson 6. Exposition: How to write Exposition that isn't boring

Section 8: Lesson 7. Writing Scenes and Transitions

Lecture 8 Lesson 7. Writing Scenes and Transitions

Section 9: Lesson 8. Creating and Sustaining Suspense

Lecture 9 Lesson 8. Creating and Sustaining Suspense

Section 10: Lesson 9: Using Landscape as Character or Metaphor

Lecture 10 Lesson 9. How to use Landscape as either a character or a metaphor.

Section 11: Lesson 10. Know the Story You're Telling

Lecture 11 Lesson 10. Know the story you're telling

Section 12: Lesson 11. Conflict, Climax, and Resolution

Lecture 12 Lesson 11. Conflict, Climax, and Resolution

Section 13: Lesson 12. Endings - or How not to screw it up - and Final Thoughts

Lecture 13 Lesson 12. Endings - or how not to screw it up - and final thoughts

Beginner to advanced screenwriters or fiction writers who seek to adapt their own work for a dramatic medium, such as film, TV, videogame, etc.