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Description
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Class 2312, Section 1:
It's Time to Write Your Screenplay
Instructor: Nils Osmar
Sponsored by: ASUW Experimental College
Location: University of Washington campus (Seattle branch)
Spring quarter dates and times: Wednesdays 7 pm-9 pm, May 7-May
28
Course fee (for General Public): $125 for members of the general
public ($105 for University of Washington students)
In this class, you'll learn how to write a screenplay that is
grounded in the traditional elements of storytelling, yet expresses
something personal and unique without relying on simplistic formulas.
We'll focus on plot, structure, and character development, identifying
and writing for your target audience, and more. Plus, you'll learn
how to find an agent, and how to pitch your screenplay to buyers
and producers. We'll wrap up with a demonstration of script formatting
using Final Draft. The instructor has written and produced over
thirty screenplays and teleplays, including three full length
feature films.
Questions? Problems registering? Call or email
call 206-420-1309
In this class we'll cover:
- story structure (from the basic elements common to any story,
to the "hero's journey" used as the foundation of screenplays
ranging from Star Wars to American Beauty.)
- how to think visually (film is mainly a visual medium, and screenplays
need to based around action before you start thinking about dialogue.
In this class we'll start off with some exercises designed to
help move people toward thinking visually. These exercises alone
often solve some basic storytelling problems and get your screenwriting
off to a solid start)
- how to identify your screenplay's target audience, and why it
matters
- how to write concise, effective dialogue and description
- how to write loglines (concise descriptions of your story) and
treatments. The difference between a treatment and a screenplay.
- types of treatments (you'll learn the differences between the
treatment you write before your screenplay, and the one you write
as a marketing tool after it's finished)
- how to write scenes (a scene, like a screenplay, has a definite
beginning, middle and end, and moves the story along on its arc.
We'll do some exercises to get a handle on scene writing, then
write short scenes and share them with the class)
- how to write a complete short script (we'll practice writing
dialogues and descriptions, practice setting up a story visually,
then we'll each write a one minute script, and later in the class,
a complete five minute script)
- how to "pitch" your screenplay to the big studios,
plus some methods for getting your script in through a "back
door"
- how to format your screenplay (and avoid common formatting errors)
- and more.
It's a good class both for beginning writers who are not sure
where to start, and for people who are already underway on a screenplay
but need some tips to get it back on track. We'll do lots and
lots of writing, and you'll have a chance to share your writings
with the class and get feedback from others about what's working
and what's not.
Student comments about this class
Thanks for the energy you put into the (Screenplay) course,
the writing exercises, the HUGE amount of information, and the
fun and supportive atmosphere ... I got past the "panic"
mode of feeling like I needed to do everything right in the first
draft, I feel looser and happier and am having more fun writing.
- L.D., Seattle
Thanks again for your encouragement and the fun nature of the
screenwriting class. - L. R., Seattle
The class was really helpful, especially the exercises in writing
scenes and writing a complete (very short!) screenplay. I can't
believe what I came up with and what other people in the class
came up with for that exercise. It was a real window into the
amazing creativity we all have inside of us. - Jan H., Seattle
I turned some kind of a corner and writing has been easy since
the class. Thank you! - Nathan I., Bellevue
I learned a lot about how to write a screenplay. (J.R., Seattle)
I particularly appreciated your advice to focus on telling my
own stories, rather than chasing some elusive dream of creating
what Hollywood is looking for. As you said, there are thousands
of wannabees trying to write the next Die Hard or Terminator 2-
but who cares - they've been written! I don't have to chase after
the latest fad, I can trust myself more and look at what I want
to write, and trust that that probably has a better chance of
being accepted anyway. - C.B., Seattle
Thank you for your explanation of how the pitching process works,
and how to find an agent (and how to make sure it's a real agent
who can really be helpful.) - M.L.,Bellevue
Wow, what can I say Nils, it was really good, thanks for the encouragement
and information - Beth G., Kirkland
I love the advice to just have fun with it ... - .PW., Seattle
The advice about editing and rewriting was perfect for what I
needed." - Scott W., Bellevue
I'm happy with the result of class... I feel liberated instead
of stuck. I've been writing again and am very pleased. - Mike
K., Seattle
I took a class from ______ last year and felt kind of discouraged
afterwards; I think he was a discouraged screenwriter and passed
that along! I feel encouraged since your class, and am excited
to get back to my screenplay. - Jan., Seattle
It was a great (class) for me and I'm totally happy with it. The
exercises at the beginning, helping us focus on screenwriting
as a visual medium, were wonderful and made a huge difference
in my writing. I loved the homework and the exercises we did in
class. The first exercise alone made a huge difference in my writing.
The explanation about story structure and the Hero's Journey-Monomyth
were wonderful and solved a huge number of problems I'd been having.
I had read them before but had somehow not connected them with
my screenplay. Thanks again for a wonderful class. - Kris T.,
Kent
Other classes
for absolute beginners _______ Saturdays 9 am-10:45 am, April
26-May 17
to Draw Faces ________________ Saturdays 11 am-12:45 pm, April
26-May 17
Drawing for beginners __________ Saturdays 1 pm-2:45 pm, April
26-May 17
________________________ Sundays 10 am-11:45 pm, April 27-May
18
for Beginners: Drawing in Depth__Sundays 12 noon-1:45 pm,
April 27-May 18
Clothing and Drapery________Sundays 2 pm-3:45 pm, April 27-May
18
Color _____________________Tuesday April 15 only, 7 pm-10
pm
Acting __________ Mondays 7 pm - 9:30 pm, April 21-May 19
Make a Movie! __Tuesdays 7 pm-9:30 pm, April 22-May 27
101______________________Fridays, 7 p.m.-10 p.m., April 18-May
16
Squibs and Car Chases: How to make an Action Movie! __Sat.
10 am-5 pm, May 24 only
filmmaking _______Sat. and Sun. 10 am-5 pm, April 19 and 20
Fiction and Short Stories____Thursdays 7 pm - 9 pm, April
17-May 15
Time to Write Your Screenplay___Wednesdays 7 pm-9 pm, May
7-May 28
Photoshop _____Wednesdays 7 pm-9:15 pm, April 16-April 30
You
can sign up by phone, mail or online
Whatever method you use to register, you will only need to
pay the $10 registration fee for each class you are enrolling
in, when you sign up (or $5 if you are a UW student.) The course
fee is not due until the first day of class. Questions? Problems
registering? Email Nilsosmar@gmail.com
or call 206-420-1309
1) TO SIGN UP BY MAIL
You can sign up by mail at any time.
to download the mail-in registration form as a .pdf
Click here if you would rather download it as a .jpg
Then fill it out and mail it to: ASUW Experimental College Box
352238 SAO 21 University of Washington Seattle WA 98195-2238
2) TO SIGN UP ONLINE
To sign up online, go to http://exco.org
Online registration for spring quarter should be active on or
around March 17th. Again, you will only be charged the registration
fee ($10 per class) at this time; the course fee is not due until
the first class. (Caution: please do NOT sign up online before
March! Or your enrollment may go into winter quarter classes which
have already ended.)
3) TO REGISTER BY PHONE
Phone registrations will begin on March 31, 2008. To sign up by
phone AFTER that date, call the Experimental College registration
office at their registration number: (206) 685-3276. If you can't
get through on the registration line, try them at 206-543-4375.
Again, you will only be charged the registration fee ($10 per
class) when you call; the course fee is not due until the first
class.
The University of Washington is committed to providing equal
access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accomodation in its
services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals
with disabilities. To request disability accomodations, contact
the Disability Office at least ten days in advance at: (206)543-6450/V,
(206)543-6452/TTY, (206)685-7264 (fax) or email dso@u.washington.edu
Questions? Problems registering? Call or email
call 206-420-1309
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