Eight Essential Screenwriting Principles
Many things are converging just now: The Quest, Go On Your Own Quest, talking about Plot this week at GITS. Plus starting next Monday, I will be teaching all eight Core classes through Screenwriting Master Class on a bi-weekly basis through November 11, beginning with Core I: Plot.
The Core curriculum, a combination of 48 lectures, dozens of insider tips, and a series of short, but effective writing exercises to put theory into practice, is based on what I consider to be Eight Essential Screenwriting Principles. They are:
1. Plot = Structure.
2. Concept = Hook.
3. Character = Function.
4. Style = Voice.
5. Dialogue = Purpose.
6. Scene = Point.
7. Theme = Meaning.
8. Time = Present.
Each Core course builds off the foundation of those principles, exploring subject areas in depth, and from a specific point of reference, what I call a character-based approach to screenwriting. Here is the schedule of upcoming Core classes:
Core I: Plot [July 23-July 29, 2012]
Core II: Concept [August 6-August 12, 2012]
Core III: Character [August 20-August 26, 2012]
Core IV: Style [September 10-September 16, 2012]
Core V: Dialogue [September 24-Septemger 30, 2012]
Core VI: Scene [October 8-October 16, 2012]
Core VII: Theme [October 22-October 30, 2012]
Core VIII: Time [November 5-November 11, 2012]
Each is a 1-week online class that includes 6 lectures written by me, forum Q&A, a 90-minute teleconference with class participants and myself, and the opportunity to workshop one of your stories.
You may take individual classes or a new offer: The Core Package. For almost 50% off, you can enroll in all eight classes. Furthermore you may choose to do each 1-week session from now through November or you can opt to have access to The Core Package site with all 48 lectures, insider tips and writing exercises to go through at your own pace. That option also includes two teleconferences with me.
Finally as you may recall, I promised every person who submitted a logline for “The Quest” a free Core or Craft class. Obviously I wasn’t expecting 1500+ entrants, but I’m a man of my word. So to kick off those complimentary classes, here are two choices:
* The first five people to post a request in comments here can take the upcoming Core I: Plot course for free. I will make the same offer for each of the Core and Craft courses as they come up on the schedule through the end of the year.
* If you don’t want to wait around for a class or if you would prefer, I can send the six Core I: Plot lectures to any other “Quest” entrants. Just email me with your request and that will act as an equivalent of your complimentary class.
Finally I hope to be rolling out some 90-minute webinars in August, condensed versions of Core and Craft classes that can accommodate 100 people at one time to help expedite the free course offer.
For those who did not enter “The Quest,” consider taking Core I: Plot which starts next Monday. Or if you are interested in learning what I think is a unique take on screenwriting theory and practice, save nearly 50% by signing up for The Core Package, and learn all about Eight Essential Screenwriting Principles and a comprehensive, coherent, character-based approach to the craft.
I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.
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