Creative Screenwriting Lessons online via Zoom - 1st course
Are you looking for a creative screenwriting class that feels refreshing and genuinely useful? Our screenwriting lessons introduce you to the craft of fiction from the storyteller’s point of view. These courses provide methods and techniques used by professional writers—whether you want to write a short story, novel, or screenplay.
You will learn to “read” a film not merely as a viewer, but as someone who understands how compelling characters, solid structure, and vivid visual storytelling are created and developed.
Our first course was successfully held for two years at SourLiBooM Art Space in Thessaloniki, Greece, and at the Writers’ Union of Northern Greece. It has since been offered online since 2020. The second course was introduced in the syllabus in 2023.
To get a sample of the lessons, click here for the FREE SCRIPT GUIDE which includes material from the second lesson.
All lessons are taught by Alex Barj (also known as Anastasia Bartzoulianou), a screenwriter whose award-winning short film The Noir Project has received eight awards at five Greek film festivals, including best screenplay at the Athens International Digital Film Festival.
The full program consists of 10 weekly meetings of three hours each (a total of 30 hours). Classes take place once per week.
This seminar is open to the general public—no prior specialized knowledge is required. All you need is a love for cinema, a personal computer with internet access, and a free open-source word processor.
For registration and more information contact:
+30 693 6463 673
or email:
For script consulting visit this page.
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Course 1 - Curriculum
Lesson 1: Setting the goal
Part 1: Why do we tell stories? What drives us to tell them? • What are the basic principles of drama? • What makes a good short film? • What gives a movie its cinematic qualities? And more…
Part 2: The history of the short film • Differences between short and feature films • Typical structures in short films: a) the Journey structure and b) the Ritual (or “Ritual Occasion”) structure.
Lesson 2: How to format a film script
• Cinematic terminology — technical terms used in scripts (e.g., FADE IN, FADE OUT, internal/external scene, insert, flashback, etc.) • Complete guide to script formatting.
Lesson 3: Visualization
• Opening a film (exposition) • Main plot and subplot • Visualization strategies — show, don’t tell • How to tell a story using images.
Lesson 4: The character - character creation techniques
• Emotional development • Desire and need • Character biography and backstory • Psychology and sociology of the character • Attitudes, beliefs, and values • Decisions, choices, commitments, and actions • The character as action • Revealing the character under dramatic conditions • Character transformation • Tips for character visualization.
Lesson 5: Script Structure — The Three-Act Structure
• Plot creation process • Set-up, exposition, and inciting incident • Rising action • What is a crisis and how it functions • The role of the midpoint • Climax and resolution • Differences between structure and plot • The role of conflict • Principles of action.
Lesson 6: Plot (continued)
• The second act • Maintaining audience interest • What suspense is and how to create it • Reversals and their types • The false solution • The third act • Revelation, culmination, and resolution • Character revelation.
Lesson 7: The structure of a scene-How to build a scene
• Principles of scene construction • Visual actions • Evolution of a scene • Sequences • Subtext — the hidden meaning of a scene • Routine (business) • The role of humor • Economy in writing.
Lesson 8: Dialogue - The function of dialogue
• Advancing plot and revealing character • Characteristics of effective dialogue • Voice, simplicity, and economy • Techniques and practical tips • Body language in dialogue.
Lesson 9: "The hidden meaning" - Subtext and its role
• Dialogue and emotion • Thoughts, feelings, and motivations • The importance of subtext • Routine and atmosphere. And more...
Lesson 10: Writing a short script
a. Creating a story plan (story outline)
b. Writing a character report
c. Drafting the first manuscript
d. Revising the script — focusing on substance and style.
Note: In each lesson, written exercises are designed to emphasize creative writing techniques. Homework is optional.