Idea to Story: A Screenplay Development Workshop

$350

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4 weeks
25
Idea to Story: A Screenplay Development Workshop
25
Idea to Story: A Screenplay Development Workshop

About this Live Online Course

Oftentimes, a great idea for a movie needs support in the early stages to lay the groundwork for writing the script. Will your idea work as a feature film (versus a short film or TV series)? What would make it the most compelling viewing experience? Do you have a unique take and voice? Does it have a dramatic engine? Should it live in a genre? Do you have complex characters that audiences will invest in? How do you ensure that your idea becomes a compelling story? How do you make your logline shine? How do you pitch this idea? In this immersive online workshop, you’ll be guided through how to discover, nurture, and refine your original ideas for a feature length screenplay.


By the end of this workshop, you’ll have a solid foundation for your story, a clear development plan, and the confidence to take the next steps in your screenwriting journey. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to hone your craft, this course provides the tools and support you need to turn your creative vision into reality.


How the course is structured:

For four weeks, you’ll meet as a large group for lecture and generative exercises, with an optional networking session in the fifth week. For an additional fee of $100, you can meet with your Instructor for a 30-minute 1-1 session during the course term. 


This course prepares you for Screenwriting: Core Elements or Screenwriting: From Outline to First Draft of Your Screenplay. 


What you bring to the course:

  • an interest in writing a screenplay. Creators at any level of experience are welcome to apply.
  • a desire to workshop your idea with an instructor and peers.


What you’ll get from the course:

  • how to develop your ideas into compelling visual narratives
  • an understanding of the key elements that make a story engaging
  • how to determine the appropriate length and medium for your idea
  • how to create a compelling logline
  • how and when to pitch your idea

This course will:

  • provide tools and techniques to apply to any project.
  • help simplify and streamline the process of writing your outline.
  • connect you with other creators via a discussion board where you can discuss core concepts and share your work.


A limited number of need-based scholarships are available and are considered on a rolling basis as they are received. Those who apply earlier will have a greater chance of getting support. To apply for a scholarship, please complete the course registration form.


Sundance Collab provides accommodations and support services to participants with disabilities. Accommodations and services are designed to meet the needs of each participant. Please email us at accessibility@sundance.org to arrange for services.

Live Online Course
Beginner
Live virtual class sessions
Course discussion board
One-on-one meeting with Instructor (for additional fee)
Certificate of Completion
Access to course for one year

Scholarships

Sundance Collab offers a limited number of full and partial need-based scholarships for individuals who need assistance. 

Please note that due to limited scholarship funds available, we prioritize one course scholarship per participant in a 12-month period.

Outline

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (PT) Extended Opening Session

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (PT)

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (PT)

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (PT)

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (PT)

FAQ

In Sundance Collab’s Live Online courses, participants attend live, virtual class sessions on the same day and time for a specified period. These sessions are led by an instructor and in some cases, supported by a team of advisors. In some courses, you are given assignments with submission deadlines to help you take the next step with your work. 

  • Each week you will be able to attend live lectures via Zoom video and ask questions of your instructor.
  • In some courses, you will receive individualized feedback from your course advisor on elements of your work.
  • In some courses, you will have the opportunity to have a 1-on-1 session with your advisor. Depending on the course, this session may be included or may be purchased separately for an additional cost. Check the course description for specifics. 

All members of the Sundance Collab community are welcome to register for Sundance Collab courses. Please review the course description and any eligibility requirements to ensure the course is a good fit. If you have any questions about a course, please email collab_courses@sundance.org.


Note that space is limited. If the registration window is open, you will see a “Register” button on the course page. If there is an application, applications are considered as they are received and applicants are accepted on a rolling basis until the course is full or the deadline has passed, whichever comes first. 

We do not allow creative partners to do our live online courses as a team. However, both creators can individually register for the course.

Part of Sundance Collab's unique educational approach is to create a teaching team for every course. Each class is led by an instructor who may be accompanied by additional course advisors. This allows us to keep an intimate ratio of participants to advisors and to provide a diversity of voices and approaches to the course content.

We often offer a limited number of need-based, full or partial scholarships. Check the course description to see if that course currently has scholarships available. Scholarships are prioritized for one per person per year (from the date of issue). Scholarship applications are available up to one week before the registration deadline. To apply for a scholarship,complete the registration form by clicking the REGISTER button and selecting the option to apply for a scholarship, if available.

Applicants will be notified about their scholarship decision prior to the first day of the course. Due to the volume of applicants, we are not always able to provide a scholarship, but we may still offer a spot in the course. In this case, depending on the course, payment plans may be available and can be selected at checkout.

Yes, we offer two or three-part payment plans for Live Online courses, depending on the length of the course. In all cases, the first payment is due at the point of registration. The remaining payment(s) are spread out throughout the course term. For specific payment plan dates for a course, please reach out to our team at: collab_courses@sundance.org. 

Yes, you are welcome to take a live, online course even if you can’t make the live sessions. Recordings of each class session are available online by the following day so you can keep up with the course lectures. For courses that include a 1-on-1 session with an advisor or instructor, the meeting is scheduled according to your (and their) availability.

All sessions are recorded and usually made available within one business day. The videos will also contain the chat and transcript from the class session, viewable in the video playbar.


Participants will have access to the recordings for one year following the last class session.

All participants will receive a Certificate of Completion. The certificate will include the name associated with your Sundance Collab account.

You can find any courses that you are enrolled in or have already completed in the profile section of your Sundance Collab account under “Courses.”

You can join a course via a computer or mobile device. All of our live, online courses are conducted via Zoom.


Download and set up the Zoom software (https://zoom.us/download) and make sure you have the latest update. Here are some great resources from Zoom’s Knowledge Base to take a deeper dive into using Zoom:

 

If you have any further questions, please email collab_courses@sundance.org.


Sundance Collab provides accommodations and support services to participants with disabilities. Please contact us at (435) 776-7790 or email us at accessibility@sundance.org to ask any questions or to discuss your specific needs after you have been accepted into the course.

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Payment Plans:

  • A two-part payment plan is available after you register.

  • Payments are spaced two weeks apart with the first payment due at the time of registration.

Scholarships:

  • A limited number of need-based scholarships are available.

  • Scholarship applications are available up to one week before the registration deadline.

  • To apply for a scholarship, complete the registration form by clicking the REGISTER button above and selecting the scholarship option, if available.