This third course guides students through the complete process of writing a television script, focusing on both planning and drafting your screenplay.

​

The course combines theory with practical application. Before the course begins, students wishing to enroll are advised to submit, along with their registration, a one-page synopsis of the idea they intend to develop into a script during the term.

​

During the course, we follow a structured approach to script development. Students are expected to write independently and share their work with classmates in order to receive constructive feedback and make steady progress on their screenplays.

​

The course draws on an extensive bibliography and includes comprehensive, free notes. Each lesson is three hours long and takes place every two weeks. In each session, the first part presents relevant theory, and the remainder is dedicated to sharing student work and offering peer feedback. Writing exercises are conducted periodically using class prompts.

​

Students who have completed the First or Second Course are encouraged to enroll. Those who have not taken either course may still register if they wish to attend theory sessions only. Prior knowledge of basic screenwriting principles is helpful but not required.

​

To preview the course content, click here for the FREE SCREENWRITING GUIDE which includes the syllabus for Lesson 2 of the First Course, focusing on script format.

​

The seminar is not intended for the general public, though anyone interested in learning the theory may still attend. Requirements: a personal computer, internet connection, and a free open-source word processor such as OpenOffice.

​

To secure a place, a €20 deposit is required; this amount will be deducted from the total tuition fee. The course will begin once the minimum number of students has been reached.

​

​For registration and more information contact:
693 6463 673

or email:

alex@write-for-the-screen.com

​

For script consulting visit this page.

​

~~~

​

Course 3 - Curriculum

​

       Lesson 1. KEYS TO TV WRITING

​

• TV Writing vs. Screenwriting

• Budgets and Locations

• LOCATIONS & SCENES: Location Considerations, TV Scenes Diagnosed

• TV Plots vs. Film Plots

• TV Acts vs. Film Acts

• Essential Principles

• Audience: The status of the observer

• Conflict: Violence and sex

• Credibility: What is real and what is ... reel

   

  Lesson 2. EXAMINING EXISTING SHOWS AND PILOTS

​​

• Existing TV Shows

• Spec Pilots example. The cases of Mad Men, and Succession

• Tale Assembly

• Beginnings: Tone, introducing the protagonist, Time Lock

• Exposition: Middles, Wrinkles and Reversals, Predictability, Coincidence, The Big Gloom

• Endings: Ambiguity, Positive and Negative space, Gravity, Cause and Effect, Choices-Subtle and Unsubtle

• Theme: The So-what test

   

  Lesson 3. PLOT

​​

• Old is New Again

• Only Edge Matters

• Episode Plots

• One Location Pilot

• Sitcom & Comedy. The case of The wonderful Mrs Maisel

   

  Lesson 4. CHARACTERS

​​

• Hero Sells the Premise

• Hero’s Arc in TV

• Series Season and Arc

• Antagonist(s) in TV

• Supporting & Recurring Characters

   

  Lesson 5. DIALOGUE

​​

• Talking Heads Medium

• TV Dialogue Subtext

• Dialogue for Dummies

• Dialogue & Visuals Matter

• Case study: Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul

   

  Lesson 6. HANDLING EPISODES

​​

• Premise Premiere

• Research Factor

• Teaser

• Cliff hangers

• Act I – Go Beyond Setup

• Act II – Critical Spin Point

• Act III, IV, and V

• Epilogue

• Maintain the Through-Line

• Plot Irony

• Season Finale

   

  Lesson 7. BIBLE, SUMMARY & PITCH

​​

• Write the Bible

• Write the Summary

• Write the Pitch

• The writing habit: How to avoid and tackle writer's block

• Ideas - working methods

• Writing Venue

• Outline vs Treatment

• Scene cards and rewriting

• Experimentation

• Choose the word processing method that works for you

   

  Lesson 8. ALTERNATIVE MARKETS and FORMATS

​​

• Holiday TV Movie, movie-of-the-week

• Ghostwriting

• Limited Series

• Format Basics

• One-Hour Episodic

• 30-Minute Episode

• MOW

• Limited Series

• Sitcoms & Comedies

​

​      Lesson 9. MARKET THE PILOT

​

• Pilot Checklist

• TV Bible Checklist

• Pilot Season Secrets

• How to Create a Trailer

• Submission Guidelines

   

  Lesson 10. CASE STUDIES

​​

• Manifest Pilot Study

• Towards an Inclusive and Intersectional Practice of Screenwriting

• From Killing Eve to an Eve Who Kills

• Queer and Trans World-building in Sense8

• The Generative Power of Paradigm Destruction in I May Destroy You