THE SCREENPLAY CLASS with Marilyn Horowitz

Screenwriting Blog: How The Physical Aspects Of Your Character Reveal Their Inner Conflict

2011-07-22T10:17:00.000-07:00

Screenwriting Blog: How The Physical Aspects Of Your Character Reveal Their Inner Conflict

2009-07-01T14:14:00.001-07:00

Goal

Each student will take his or her script to the next level: a first draft or a full rewrite.

The weekly class lecture will discuss The Mythic Journey Map (found in How to Write a Screenplay in 10 Weeks) and will emphasize structure in terms of character. Each class will focus on a different step of the 12-step Mythic Journey Map.

2009-07-01T13:21:00.000-07:00

Class Structure

Classes will be held in workshop format. Screenplays will be read aloud in class. Students will be partnered so they can help support one another during this intensive process. Students are expected to write 10 to 15 pages a week. Screenplays are due after Week 9 and an individual evaluation will be scheduled.

2009-07-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

Week 1

Class: We will review the workbook and preview some of the more advanced techniques. I will assign partners. Students will “pitch” their stories aloud.

Homework: Watch 2 films of your choice, do the 12-step map for both films and analyze what worked and what didn’t. Prepare and/or review your scene-by-scene outline and improve it based on what you have learned from the 2 films you watched.

2009-07-01T11:29:00.000-07:00

Week 2

Class: Review outlines and add or delete scenes and sequences. Using The Four Magic Questions of Screenwriting learn how to develop a strategy for your current draft and determine the workload. Review article, “Writing Hero Last” and adjust outline so the characters drive the story.

Homework: Write/rewrite 10-15 pages of Act I and speak with your partner.

2009-07-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

Weeks 3-4

Class: Review pages and read aloud. Talk through stories one more time.

Homework: Write the next 10-15 pages, hopefully completing Act 1.

2009-07-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

Weeks 5-9

Class: Read pages aloud in class.

Homework: Write 10-15 pages each week and talk with partner.

2009-07-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

Evaluation & Consultation

All screenplays are due no later than two weeks after Week 9. An acceptable first draft is 75 pages or more with a scene-by-scene outline for the entire film.

When the screenplay is submitted along with a scene-by-scene outline, an individual conference will be scheduled through my office.

2009-07-01T07:49:00.000-07:00

My goal is to support you during the entire process. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office at 212.600.1115 or marilyn.horowitz@gmail.com.