Mastering the Fundamentals of Scene Writing

How can you create a scene that fills you with dread like the hypnosis in Get Out? How do you craft a scene that warms your heart like the “you complete me” scene in Jerry Maguire?

In three, two-hour online sessions, you will learn about the art and craft of writing a compelling scene. Using award-winning screenplays as examples, you will deconstruct key sequences, learn how to identify beats, actions, and subtext, and discuss how dialogue can help (or hinder) a scene. Whether you are writing features or for a series, award-winning filmmaker and author Lovinder Gill (Scriptcake Secrets: The Top 10 Mistakes Novice Screenwriters Make and How to Fix Them) will guide you through what makes a great scene and provide tools you can use as you craft your screenplay.

For an additional fee of $100, you can meet with your Instructor for a 30-minute 1-1 session after the intensive to receive feedback on a written scene (up to 5 pages).

What you bring to the intensive:

• An interest in understanding the scene writing process. Creators at any level of experience are welcome to apply.

In just one day, you will:

• learn how to analyze scenes in screenplays
• develop a deeper understanding of how scenes work together to tell the bigger story
• explore tools to create character-driven storytelling and conflict
• master how to identify a scene’s purpose
• understand common mistakes made in scene writing

Intensive Schedule

Friday, March 21:

• Kick-Off Session:
• 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. PT

Saturday, March 22:

• Session 1:
• 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. PT
• Session 2:
• 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. PT
• Session 3:
• 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. PT

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.