15-Week Online Screenplay Story & Structure Workshop

In this workshop, you will learn how to create cinematic story ideas and write for film!

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

• Students will meet once per week for 3 hours (two 1.5-hour sessions with a 30-minute break).
• This workshop has several possible class times. Students must commit to one of the following three schedule options:
  • Section 1 - Tuesdays at 10am Pacific Time/1pm Eastern Time
  • Section 2 - Tuesdays at 5pm Pacific Time/8pm Eastern Time
  • Section 3 - Wednesdays at 10am Pacific Time/1pm Eastern Time

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

In this 15-week online screenwriting class, students learn the basics of feature screenwriting and feature screenplay story structure — from format and framework to how to write specific types of scenes (like phone calls, montages and dreams). In-depth writing tools are investigated, like screenplay structure, story, and use of subtext and exposition in dialogue. Students also study how to generate and develop stories. Where do stories come from? How do we find them in the world around us? What is the difference between a good idea and a good story? Students learn how to structure a screenplay and write a film treatment, detailing the feel and flow of a story for a feature film. They will plot a feature film idea and create a treatment that they will then break into a detailed beat sheet. Lastly, they will begin work on the script, writing the first sequence to get the feel of the script before either writing it after the class ends or taking it into Screenplay Workshop.

A live video class is held once a week via Zoom. If time restrictions prevent attendance for individual class sessions, students can catch up via recordings of the class and communicate with each other and the instructor digitally. However, please make sure these times work for you overall as missing too many session will diminish the effectiveness of the class.  In between sessions, students interact with the class digitally, with feedback provided by the instructor.

Video lessons will be made available for viewing through our course Portals. Written lessons and assignments are posted for critique and the class interacts on an electronic course Portal. Instructors are available electronically for support.

The class meets once per week for 3 hours (two 1.5-hour sessions with a 30-minute break). There are three different sections of the class, each with different time options. Students pick which section they register for and stay with that section for the semester. The time options are listed above.

Additional video lessons are posted online and may be viewed according to a student’s personal schedule. Outside coursework will vary in time based on the student’s writing speed but usually takes 1-4 hours per week.

Deliverables: Treatment, beat sheet and first sequence of a feature screenplay

REFUND POLICY

To enroll and hold a place in an online screenwriting course, a student must submit a $500 deposit, which is non-refundable and will be applied towards the tuition. Full payment is due no later than 30 days prior to the start of the course.

If a student cancels enrollment in an online screenwriting course, the following applies:

• The $500 deposit is not refundable under any circumstances unless New York Film Academy cancels the course. Program fees (minus the deposit) are refundable until 30 days prior to the start of the program. No refunds are available after 30 days prior to the start of the course.
• In order to cancel, an enrolled student must contact our admissions office in writing. Failure to cancel prior to the 30-day deadline will result in a bill for the full program fee.

In the event that New York Film Academy cancels a program, all enrolled students will be notified immediately and given a full refund of program fees.