Screenwriting Fast Track - Essentials

  • 1

    Introduction

    • Welcome to the Screenwriting Fast Track

    • How the Fast Track Course Works

    • Before you begin... please answer four quick questions?

    • 0P01: A "First Story" Writing Assignment
  • 2

    Module 1: Story & Storytelling

    • Overview (Mod #1) READ ME FIRST

    • The Screenplay & The Screenwriter

    • 1J01: Journal

    • Know Your Why

    • Story vs Storytelling

    • Narrative Theory

    • Putting on the Author's Hat

    • The Audience

    • 1C01: Learning Checkpoint
  • 3

    Module #2: Character Building

    • Overview (Mod #2) READ ME FIRST

    • Character Must Haves

    • Character Backgrounds

    • 2W01: Character Background Worksheet

    • Global Story Contextualization

    • Character Arcs

    • 2P01: Practice Character Arc Creation

    • 2C01: Checkpoint
  • 4

    Module #3: Screenplay Format & Software

    • Overview (Mod #3) READ ME FIRST

    • Why It's Formatted Like It Is

    • A Case for Software

    • Sluglines

    • Action & Description

    • Dialogue

    • Parentheticals

    • Transitions

    • 3P01: Practice Writing a Scene

    • Scene Elements Labelling Example

    • Mid-Course Survey - 3 Questions
  • 5

    Module #4: Scene Building

    • Overview (Mod #4) READ ME FIRST

    • Scene Structure

    • 4R01: Reflection

    • Scene Construction

    • Scene Life

    • 4P01: Practice Improving a Scene

    • Exposition

    • 4P02: Practice "Roommates"

    • 4R02: Reflection

    • 4C01: Checkpoint
  • 6

    Module #5: Action & Description

    • Overview (Mod #5) READ ME FIRST

    • Description Strategies

    • 5R01: Reflection

    • How to Show, Not Tell

    • How to Intro Characters

    • 5P01: Practice Character Intros
  • 7

    Module #6: Dialogue

    • Overview (Mod #6) READ ME FIRST

    • Dialogue: No More No Less

    • 6J01: Journal

    • Dialogue: Less Is More

    • 6P01: Character Intro Revision

    • 6R01: Reflection
  • 8

    Conclusion

    • Overview (Last Module) READ ME FIRST

    • Wrap Up & Your Next Steps

    • 8P01: Practice "First Story" Revision

    • 8R01: Reflection

    • End of Course Survey - Six Questions
  • 9

    Resources

    • Resources for You

Instructor

Owner of Big Red Stripe, Storyteller

Jacob Michael

Since earning an MFA in Screenwriting from USC's School of Cinematic Arts in 2009, Jacob has worked in Hollywood as a screenwriter and video editor. He also spent several years teaching writing, screenwriting, storytelling, editing, and filmmaking at Pepperdine University. He has helped shape hundreds of stories, and his students have had work screened at and placed in film festivals in the US and internationally. Jacob's passions include spending time with his family, playing golf and soccer, telling stories, and helping others tell the best stories they possibly can. If you're new to writing, there's nothing he wants more than to help you succeed.