Introduction to Screenwriting

With: Michael Urban
$350

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4 weeks
14
Introduction to Screenwriting
14
Introduction to Screenwriting

About this Live Online Course

Every great film begins with a powerful idea and a unique voice - but writing a screenplay takes craft, clarity, and creativity. If you’ve ever wanted to tell your story in screenplay form, this beginner-friendly course is a great first step.


Guided by an experienced screenwriter, you'll explore the essential elements through real-world examples from successful feature-length screenplays. Over four weeks, you'll learn how to shape your story, develop compelling characters, build a strong thematic core, and master the tools of the trade—from beat sheets and outlines to treatments and screenplay formatting. If you are new to screenwriting, this introductory course will provide you with the practical skills to get started on your feature film screenplay.


Who should take this course:

Anyone interested in writing a feature-length screenplay. Whether you're brand new or exploring a new creative path, no script or prior experience is required.


By the end of this course, you’ll have:

  • A solid grasp of feature film structure
  • Tools to create rich, engaging characters
  • Techniques to clarify and strengthen your story’s themes
  • Step-by-step guidance on using pre-writing tools like beat sheets, outlines, and treatments
  • A working knowledge of professional screenplay formatting and industry-standard software
  • Insight into when to follow the rules—and when to break them creatively

This course also includes:

  • practical tools you can apply to any story
  • a vibrant online community to exchange ideas and share your work
  • script analysis and breakdowns of successful screenplays
  • live Q&A sessions with your instructor
  • curated reading and viewing suggestions (no required homework)

Whether you're dreaming of your first screenplay or simply want to explore storytelling in a new way, this course will give you the foundation to bring your story to life on the screen.


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
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. 

Due to limited scholarship funds available, we prioritize one course scholarship per participant in a 12-month period. Scholarship applications are available up to one week before the registration deadline and do not stack with discounts or promotions, including early registration.

Outline

Topics covered include:

  • Elements of a feature-length screenplay
  • An overview of three-act structure
  • Feature films vs. short films vs. TV pilots
  • The role of the screenwriter

Topics covered include:

  • Creating three-dimensional characters
  • Character development
  • Want vs. need
  • Character and conflict

Topics covered include:

  • Identifying the theme of your story
  • How theme drives your narrative
  • Infusing theme in your characters and plot
  • What is your dramatic question?

Topics covered include:

  • Defining the tentpoles of your screenplay
  • Crafting a beat sheet
  • Outlining the screenplay
  • The purposes of a treatment
  • Tips on prewriting
  • An overview of industry standard screenplay format
  • Screenwriting software guidance
  • Next steps

Team

Michael Urban

Instructor

Michael Urban has been a working screenwriter since selling his first screenplay in 2001, just six months after graduating from the American Film Institute with a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Screenwriting. In 2002 production began on that screenplay, resulting in the MGM/UA feature film, SAVED! Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival, the film went on to win accolades at South by Southwest and the Gen Arts Film Festival. 


SAVED! lead to a successful career as screenwriter, completing feature film assignments for Paramount, Universal Studios, MGM and Sony Studios. Additionally, Michael has sold original television pilot scripts to ABC, HBO, Lifetime and most recently Universal Cable Productions. In 2015 he co-wrote and co-Executive Produced the pilot for TRUE FICTION for the Bravo TV Network. He was also hired to write an original television movie for the USA network, currently in development.


In 2005, Michael returned to the American Film Institute as a member of the Screenwriting Faculty. In the fourteen years he has been teaching he has had the honor of working with the next generation of emerging filmmakers. His former students include hundreds of writers, directors and producers. Additionally, he has seen his students go on to win the Student Emmy Award, the Student Academy Award and the Cannes Palm D’Or for thesis films realized under his mentorship. Most recently he mentored TREE #3 and MILLER & SON — two of the three AFI Thesis films announced as winners of the 2019 Student Academy Awards. 


While his core responsibilities at AFI center on mentoring student scripts and short film projects, he has also moderated several of the Institute’s prestigious Harold Lloyd Master Seminars. These seminars consist of a screening followed by a discussion with the filmmakers. Among the filmmakers Michael has hosted are, Mike White (SCHOOL OF ROCK), Vince Gilligan (BREAKING BAD/BETTER CALL SAUL), Lisa Kudrow (FRIENDS, THE COMEBACK), Jay Roach (AUSTIN POWERS, MEET THE PARENTS), Alec Berg & Bill Hader (BARRY), Ryan Murphy (GLEE, THE PEOPLE V. O.J. SIMPSON), Christopher Nolan (THE DARK KNIGHT) and most recently Olivia Wilde with her directorial debut (BOOKSMART). 

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 and do not stack with discounts or promotions, including early registration.

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