About This Workshop
About This Workshop
Personally I need deadlines when I take an online class, otherwise I never complete the project or finish watching the videos. If you want to know more about screenwriting and writing short films specifically then this is the class and session for you.
There are five resources you'll have for this workshop:
- The class itself.
- Two extra videos that I've recorded just for the workshop students (you'll find them at the end of the class video playlist)
- The class project gallery - I highly recommend you try to read & review at least one project during this month, reading scripts helps with your own writing and getting over the anxiety of the first draft as well as supports your fellow student.
- An 'Ask Me Anything' session - I'll be hosting an AMA on February 15th @ 4-5pm EST, feel free to either post your questions ahead of time or during the listed time.
- This nifty little calendar and tasksheet you can download, print and tape to your desk:
If you're like me and need help creating a realistic schedule to get through the class, here's my suggestion:
Jan 25th - Jan 31st: Watch the Introduction and Lesson 1 videos as well as read through the scene excerpts of the Lesson 1 handout.
Feb 1st - Feb 7th: Watch Lesson 2, make a decision on what program you want to use to type up your screenplay, then watch Lesson 3. Get through as much of the Lesson 3 viewing list as you can, if time is limited then focus on the type of films (plot-driven, conceptually-driven, or poetic) that resonate with you.
Feb 8th - Feb 14th: Watch Lesson 4 and read the accompanying handout to get into the zen mindset of writing the first draft without editing yourself. I would try to carve out some quiet time to write out that first draft by hand as quickly as you can, with the understanding that you'll go back, flesh out some gaps, clean it up. Once you've written that first quick draft, let it sit, relax and take a step
Feb 15th @ 4-5pm EST: I'll be hosting a Skillshare AMA. Make sure to sign up for it and either leave questions for me beforehand or post them during the live session and I'll be sure to answer them.
Feb 15th - Feb 21st: Reread what you wrote, scribble in the changes you want to make, fill in the gaps in dialogue, etc, type up the draft, reread, and so forth. Don't try to make it too polished, but the point is to submit a first draft that contains the essence of your story for us and that feels like a solid foundation for future drafts. By the end of the month share with us what you've been working on.
During the course of the month: Try to read and review at least one project in the project gallery, This isn't mandatory, but I think it'll be a useful vitamin to help you with your own writing and getting over your fears about submitting the first draft.
Rest of February: You can use the rest of February for reading, feedback and rewriting the projects that come out of this session.
What if you have no story ideas?: No problem, check out my 'Russian Doll' exercise at the end of the class video list. You can submit that exercise as your class project, using it as the foundation for a future more developed script.
What if you join us late?: No problem, you can still join us and submit your work - the important thing is to finish and get the story and characters that have been haunting you out of your head and onto the paper!
Classes
Projects
Students
Classes
Projects
Students
Personally I need deadlines when I take an online class, otherwise I never complete the project or finish watching the videos. If you want to know more about screenwriting and writing short films specifically then this is the class and session for you.
There are five resources you'll have for this workshop:
- The class itself.
- Two extra videos that I've recorded just for the workshop students (you'll find them at the end of the class video playlist)
- The class project gallery - I highly recommend you try to read & review at least one project during this month, reading scripts helps with your own writing and getting over the anxiety of the first draft as well as supports your fellow student.
- An 'Ask Me Anything' session - I'll be hosting an AMA on February 15th @ 4-5pm EST, feel free to either post your questions ahead of time or during the listed time.
- This nifty little calendar and tasksheet you can download, print and tape to your desk:
If you're like me and need help creating a realistic schedule to get through the class, here's my suggestion:
Jan 25th - Jan 31st: Watch the Introduction and Lesson 1 videos as well as read through the scene excerpts of the Lesson 1 handout.
Feb 1st - Feb 7th: Watch Lesson 2, make a decision on what program you want to use to type up your screenplay, then watch Lesson 3. Get through as much of the Lesson 3 viewing list as you can, if time is limited then focus on the type of films (plot-driven, conceptually-driven, or poetic) that resonate with you.
Feb 8th - Feb 14th: Watch Lesson 4 and read the accompanying handout to get into the zen mindset of writing the first draft without editing yourself. I would try to carve out some quiet time to write out that first draft by hand as quickly as you can, with the understanding that you'll go back, flesh out some gaps, clean it up. Once you've written that first quick draft, let it sit, relax and take a step
Feb 15th @ 4-5pm EST: I'll be hosting a Skillshare AMA. Make sure to sign up for it and either leave questions for me beforehand or post them during the live session and I'll be sure to answer them.
Feb 15th - Feb 21st: Reread what you wrote, scribble in the changes you want to make, fill in the gaps in dialogue, etc, type up the draft, reread, and so forth. Don't try to make it too polished, but the point is to submit a first draft that contains the essence of your story for us and that feels like a solid foundation for future drafts. By the end of the month share with us what you've been working on.
During the course of the month: Try to read and review at least one project in the project gallery, This isn't mandatory, but I think it'll be a useful vitamin to help you with your own writing and getting over your fears about submitting the first draft.
Rest of February: You can use the rest of February for reading, feedback and rewriting the projects that come out of this session.
What if you have no story ideas?: No problem, check out my 'Russian Doll' exercise at the end of the class video list. You can submit that exercise as your class project, using it as the foundation for a future more developed script.
What if you join us late?: No problem, you can still join us and submit your work - the important thing is to finish and get the story and characters that have been haunting you out of your head and onto the paper!
