Class

6-Week: Idea to Screenplay

Do you have an amazing idea for a screenplay? Are you curious about how the screenwriting process works? Take your project from idea to screenplay in six classes!

In this class, you’ll learn what goes into a great screenplay and start generating your own pages. Each week will be devoted to one step of the screenplay development process: brainstorming, writing a logline, carding, outlining, drafting, and revising.

Along the way, we’ll have fun exploring what makes a good “hook” for a film or TV show, how to craft a compelling scene, what to do with multiple storylines, and how to achieve the perfect balance of action, description, and dialogue.

Each session will include both instruction and discussion. Students are encouraged to share their story ideas and writing in class, and to share constructive verbal feedback of one another’s work. (And yes, we’ll also talk about how to give and receive notes—a major part of the screenwriting life!)

As we develop our ideas, we’ll explore narrative structures like “the hero’s journey,” “the heroine’s journey,” and nonlinear narratives. We'll also get inspiration from a diverse selection of screenplays by contemporary screenwriters including Taika Waititi, Ava DuVernay, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Jordan Peele.

Instructions for Accessing This Online Class

In order to access live class meetings, you must have the Zoom application downloaded to your computer. You will also need a WiFi/Internet connection throughout the duration of your scheduled meeting and a computer with audio and video capability. The information to join your Zoom classroom will be provided in your confirmation email upon registration. Please check spam folders if you do not see this email upon registration. For more information on how to use Zoom, please see our training manual here.

Some classes use a supplemental Google Classroom page. Should your teaching artist use Google Classroom, you will be invited to join the classroom via email at least 24 hours in advance of your class (check spam folders if you are not seeing this invitation). Please note that Google Classroom requires a Gmail address to access the Classroom. If you do not have a Gmail account, the email invitation will be sent to the email address we have on file and will prompt you to create a free account or enter an existing account to join the classroom. If we are unable to send an email invitation to your non-gmail account, you will be contacted by a staff member to provide a Gmail address. If you do not have a Gmail account, you can create a free account here. Should you have concerns about this, please contact a Loft staff member at [email protected] or 612-379-8999. For more information on how to use Google Classroom, please see our training manual here.