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Screenwriting Workshop

Dani Alcorn

Do you have a great idea for a movie and want to turn it into a screenplay? Have you already started a screenplay and gotten stuck? Have you finished a screenplay but feel it needs polish? Screenwriting Workshop shows you how to accomplish all of these things and helps you market your work and get it onto the big screen.

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Do you have a great idea for a movie and want to turn it into a screenplay? Have you already started a screenplay and gotten stuck? Have you finished a screenplay but feel it needs polish? Screenwriting Workshop shows you how to accomplish all of these things and helps you market your work and get it onto the big screen.

In these fun and lively lessons, Dani Alcorn guides you on the path to success. You'll learn how to create and polish a screenplay step by step. Topics include:

  • Story Structure
  • Creating Compelling Characters
  • Using Archetypes to Flesh Out Character
  • The Hero's Journey
  • Creating Treatments that Sell
  • Developing the Perfect Beginning and Ending
  • Making Your Theme Resonate
  • Crafting Dialogue that Rings True
  • Creating Action that Packs a Punch
  • Controlling Pacing
  • Screenplay Formatting
  • Pitching a Great Idea
  • Designing the Perfect Logline
  • Online Resources for Screenwriters
  • Marketing Your Screenplay

Whether you're just getting started or you're an experienced screenwriter, Screenwriting Workshop helps you turn your dream into a reality.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Turn your idea into a screenplay
  • Explore what makes movies award winners
  • Create a pitch that sells your idea
  • Develop compelling characters
  • Structure your screenplay
  • Learn techniques that make scenes leap off the page
  • Polish your screenplay
  • Discover resources to help get your screenplay noticed

Syllabus

Exploring Modern Screenwriting
Meet Dani Alcorn and enjoy an overview of the course material to come!

Why should you write screenplays, and what are the benefits?

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This lesson discusses the top grossing genres and top grossing films of recent history. How useful is this information and what should you do with it?
This lesson offers a look at Academy Award Winning films and screenplays. Are awards really the best way to measure a film's success?
When comparing movies to television shows there are both practical differences (format, budget, production schedule, etc.) and differences in how the audience relates to the experience. The implications of these differences is discussed in this lecture. 

This lightning fast survey of both film and television will show you how programming has changed over the years, allowing you to target your scripts at the latest trends.

Planning Your Screenplay

This lesson discusses where ideas come from, how to remember them, and what to do if you're stuck. Try out a fun exercise to get your creative juices flowing (see supplemental material).

This lesson is a discussion of the difference between plot (external events) and story (internal emotions) and how they are integral to creating a compelling movie. 
This lesson discusses themes, or what movies are really about. It shows you how to dig deeper and find the true emotional core of your script that will relate to all the other story and plot elements of your screenplay. 
This lesson answers the questions: "Who's in your screenplay?" and "What will you know about them?"
This lesson discusses how to create a compelling hero for your screenplay. 
This lesson discusses what good antagonists must do and gives you tips for creating despicable bad guys. 
This lesson discuses the supporting characters you'll create in your screenplay and offers suggestions for how to make them memorable. 
This lesson discusses what an archetype is, how to use them, and gives an example of a classic archetype. 
This lesson explores Joseph Campbell's idea of the "monomyth" and details the Hero's Journey.
Structuring Your Screenplay
This lesson gives step by step instructions for how to write a great logline and pitch for your screenplay. 
This lesson uses Susan Dennard's 11 Key Elements to show you how to write a clear and concise synopsis of your screenplay.
This lesson provides a quick introduction to the theory of story structure and introduces the topics that follow in the next several lessons. 

An overview of Four Act Structure. This lesson includes a Quick Reference Guide and a Test Drive with helpful questions about each element of each act to help you think about structuring your original screenplay idea.

This lesson introduces the nine story structuring checkpoints of three act structure. 
This lesson is an in depth look at the story structure checkpoints of Act 1: the Hook, Backstory, and Trigger. 
This lesson provides and in depth look at the story structure checkpoints of Act 2: the Crisis, Struggle, and Epiphany. 
This lesson takes an in depth look at the story structure checkpoints of Act 3: the Plan, Climax, and Resolution.
This lesson explores beginnings and endings including common techniques and examples from great screenplays. 
Discover the different types of scenes, and what to do--and not do--to make them great.
This lesson discusses two types of roadmaps that will help get you from page 1 to page 120 of your screenplay: the treatment and the outline. 
Writing Your Screenplay
This lesson provides a quick rundown of FinalDraft and Celtx.
Discover the four elements that make up a screenplay, and how they are used.
These common formatting issues may seem tricky, but they're simple when you know how.

Celtx is powerful and free screenwriting software. Here's how to use it.

Here's how to write a great screenplay and make sure the director films it the way you imagined it, all without breaking any rules.
This lesson explores how to make your characters sound like real and interesting people.

Minimize descriptions while maximizing the impact of your action lines, and your script will be much more commercial. Here's how.

In a movie it's easy to recognize and keep track of a large number of characters. But in a script it's hard to keep track of a large number of character names. This lesson shows you how to make those characters memorable, which will help you sell your script.
A well paced movie is fun to watch. Here are some examples of pacing problems and successes, and some tips for controlling your own screenplay's pacing.
Follow these six techniques and you will finish your first draft.
Polishing Your Screenplay

Workshopping your screenplay is a vital (and often eye-opening) experience.

These specific strategies will take your first draft to a whole new level.

Because they're your main selling tools, it's essential to revisit your logline and pitch after you've finished your screenplay.

Film Analyses

One of the best ways to learn to write great screenplays is to watch great movies.

Analysis of The Shawshank Redemption

Analysis of The Silence of the Lambs.

Analysis of Lion King.

Analysis of You've Got Mail

This is a brief synopsis and analysis of TiMER (2009). Main topic: character wants versus character needs.

Analysis of Spiderman.

Analysis of The 5th Element

Getting Your Screenplay Noticed

Agents, Managers, Contests and Contacts are all great approaches to selling your screenplay. Here's the inside scoop on all of them.

These valuable online resources will help you get your screenplay into the right hands.

Now that you've completed the course, here are some ways you can stay involved, and further develop your screenwriting skills.

Thanks for taking this journey with me, and Happy Writing!

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Offers strong foundational knowledge of key elements and concepts involved in writing a screenplay
Provides practical tips and techniques to enhance writing skills
Provides a structured and comprehensive approach to writing a screenplay, from idea to completion
Covers a wide range of topics, including story structure, character development, and dialogue writing
Instructor has extensive experience in the screenwriting industry
Provides opportunities for peer feedback and discussion

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Screenwriting Workshop with these activities:
Review Screenwriting Basics
Prepare for success in this course by reviewing the fundamentals of screenwriting, including story structure, character development, and dialogue.
Browse courses on Screenwriting
Show steps
  • Read a book or article on screenwriting basics.
  • Watch a few short films or movies to analyze their structure and techniques.
  • Practice writing short scenes or dialogue.
Organize your notes and materials
Stay organized and on track by compiling all of your notes, assignments, and other materials in one place.
Show steps
  • Create a system for organizing your materials.
  • Keep all of your materials in one place.
  • Review your materials regularly.
Read Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder
Gain insights into successful screenwriting techniques by reading this classic book on screenwriting structure and character development.
View Save the Cat! Blake's Blogs: More Information... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book.
  • Take notes on the key concepts.
  • Apply the techniques to your own writing.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Write short scenes and dialogue
Improve your writing skills by practicing regularly. Write short scenes and dialogue that focus on different aspects of screenwriting.
Browse courses on Screenwriting
Show steps
  • Choose a topic or scenario to write about.
  • Write a short scene or dialogue.
  • Get feedback from a friend, family member, or writing group.
Watch a screenwriting tutorial series
Learn from experienced screenwriters by following a comprehensive tutorial series that covers all aspects of screenwriting.
Browse courses on Screenwriting
Show steps
  • Find a reputable tutorial series.
  • Watch the videos and take notes.
  • Apply the techniques to your own writing.
Write a screenplay outline
Put your skills to the test by writing an outline for a screenplay. This will help you structure your story and develop your characters.
Browse courses on Screenwriting
Show steps
  • Brainstorm ideas for your story.
  • Develop your characters.
  • Create a plot outline.
  • Write a synopsis of your screenplay.
Attend a screenwriting workshop or event
Connect with other screenwriters and learn from experts in the field by attending a workshop or event dedicated to screenwriting.
Browse courses on Screenwriting
Show steps
  • Find a screenwriting workshop or event in your area.
  • Attend the workshop or event.
  • Network with other screenwriters.
  • Learn from the experts.
Mentor a new screenwriter
Deepen your understanding of screenwriting by mentoring a new screenwriter and sharing your knowledge and experience.
Browse courses on Screenwriting
Show steps
  • Find a new screenwriter to mentor.
  • Meet with your mentee regularly.
  • Provide feedback on their work.
  • Help them develop their skills.

Career center

Learners who complete Screenwriting Workshop will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

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Effort
7 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Dani Alcorn
Language
English
Good to know
Offers strong foundational knowledge of key elements and concepts involved in writing a screenplay
Provides practical tips and techniques to enhance writing skills
Provides a structured and comprehensive approach to writing a screenplay, from idea to completion
Covers a wide range of topics, including story structure, character development, and dialogue writing
Instructor has extensive experience in the screenwriting industry
Provides opportunities for peer feedback and discussion
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