Developing the Narrative Foundation of Your Screenplay (On Demand)

This is an On Demand course that was developed from existing live online library content. On Demand courses allow you to watch video lectures at your own pace, with curated resources and other materials to support your work. You can begin taking this course at any time.

The challenge of writing a feature-length screenplay isn’t starting - it’s choosing the right idea and then sustaining dramatic tension for two hours. The story demands a central dramatic problem powerful enough to drive the entire script, and finding the perfect conflict is often the hardest part of the journey. 

In this On Demand course, veteran screenwriter David Schwab provides the essential process for testing your ideas and building narratives that truly last.

You will master the crucial skill of defining your script’s narrative core:

• Identify the dramatic problem that can serve as the high-stakes engine of a feature-length film, preventing your story from running out of steam.
• Unearth and vet compelling story concepts through focused research, ensuring both authenticity and narrative depth.
• Discover strategies to isolate your script’s core themes and build conflict and tension that directly engage a sophisticated audience.

By the end of this course, you won’t just have an idea; you’ll have the complete narrative framework and the confidence to begin writing your screenplay.

This course builds upon a previous Sundance Collab Master Class. The course will feature insights from Schwab and special guests:

• Oscar nominee Tamara Jenkins (The Savages)
• Two-time BAFTA nominee Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding)
• Sundance Film Festival winner Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings)

In this course, you will learn:

• Where to find inspiration in your everyday life
• How notable filmmakers developed their work
• How to use your personal history to craft cinematic stories
• How to conduct research
• How to identify dramatic problems
• What is necessary to create meaningful stories you can stick with
• How to visualize your story with lookbooks
• When to commit to your next story
• How to develop your protagonist and their story arc

Who this course is for: This course is ideal for aspiring and established screenwriters looking for inspiration on their next project. 

Additional Benefits: Your enrollment includes a workbook and access to several additional videos from Sundance Collab's Video Library.

View the Outline tab for more details on the course.

All course videos are closed-captioned. For other accommodations and support services, please email us at accessibility@sundance.org.