FILM-670A: Advanced Film Development

This graduate course is an intensive screenwriting class for Writers and Writer/Directors. Students will meet individually with the instructor to develop a short film screenplay from idea through final shooting script with the intention of directing the film in Advanced Film Production. The course is designed to provide the student with a comprehensive, professional understanding of screenwriting. The story idea must be original, created by the student, and not based on any previous work in any other class. The screenplay will be no more than 10 pages long. The script must tell a story. Students pitch ideas with a Classic Three-Act narrative structure. Once the story idea is approved, students will begin the screenplay. This is a rigorous writing experience. Good writing is re-writing. Scripts will be in colloquial English and contain a satisfying resolution, complete the story's theme and answer its basic question. The finished script must be approved by the Instructor before script is shot in Advanced Film Production. (The student will direct the film, but may not be in the film's cast.)