Master Classes are in-depth, interactive learning experiences focused on craft and career building and led by renowned industry experts. Topics include fiction and documentary filmmaking, TV writing and production, and navigating and succeeding in the entertainment industry.
“Hope is taking action.” – Greta Thunberg, climate activist
Forest fires, drought, record-breaking heat, sea-level rise, hurricanes… The effects of climate change impact us on a daily basis, and more than two-thirds of American audiences want to see these stories on screen. However, a recent study found that less than 0.56% of scripted TV and film mention the term ‘climate change.’ In this live and interactive three-hour Master Class, you will learn to activate your storytelling to address this existential crisis.
Led by writer, consultant, activist, and educator Jessie Keyt, Changing the Narrative: Climate Representation in Film and TV will introduce you to the multiple sub-genres of climate storytelling (e.g., cli-fi, indigenous knowledge, ecodramas), discuss the differences between writing for film and television, and expose you to a variety of formats, from shorts to features. You’ll learn to tell stories that can engage wider audiences by thinking about the spectrum of climate representation, incorporating humor into your storytelling, and examining how structural forms impact your climate message. Throughout the session, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and participate in live exercises to deepen your understanding of climate representation. Storytelling is one of our most powerful tools; this course will help all screenwriters understand how to wield this tool effectively as it relates to our environment.
Topics include:
- Identifying compelling climate stories
- Climate storytelling models in film
- Climate storytelling models in episodic series
- The impact of narrative structure
- Climate as Metaphor
- Overcoming imposter syndrome
- Reframing familiar stories through a climate change lens
- Widening your audience
- Ethical considerations and inclusivity
- Effective collaboration
- Research tips and tricks
- Resources for ongoing learning and support
Download Recommended Resources
If you have a disability and require accommodation in order to fully participate in this event, please complete this form, contact us at (435) 776-7790, or email us at accessibility@sundance.org to discuss your specific needs. Every effort will be made to accommodate advance requests; however, requests made within five days of the event may not be guaranteed.
A recording of this Master Class will be posted the next business day following the session. All registered attendees will find the recording in the “Purchases” section of their account once it is posted.
