Screenwriting: The Art and Craft of Story Structure
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About this Live Online Course
Do you understand the basics of screenwriting, but wish you had a better handle on structure? In this four-week course, you will cultivate a nuanced understanding of story structure through a deep study of successful films with an experienced instructor as your guide.
Most discussions of three-act structure focus on matters of craft, some of which can get convoluted and burdensome to the creative process. This course will describe the minimum requirements of the three-act model and then go beyond the structural points to explore the layers, patterns and larger meaning that comprise the art of the story.
In each class session, two films will be analyzed in-depth to uncover the art and craft of their story structure. Films to be discussed include Thelma & Louise, Promising Young Woman, Kramer vs. Kramer, A Separation, The Stepford Wives (1975) and Get Out.
What you bring to the course:
- an interest in screenwriting. Creators at any level of experience are welcome to apply. (You do not need to have a screenplay or active project to participate.)
What you’ll get from the course:
- An understanding of the core principles of story structure and how those principles serve to progress a story from beginning to end.
- Examples of how story principles are applied in unique ways.
- More well-honed narrative instincts.
- An understanding of the difference between action, character and theme-based stories.
- How to use story structure to enhance creative freedom and artistic innovation.
- A deep study of six well-respected, culturally significant films.
- A method for analyzing the films you want to study for your own purposes.
This course will:
- provide tools and techniques to apply to any project.
- connect you with other creators via a discussion board where you can discuss core concepts and share your work.
- highlight successful films and screenplays in a variety of genres, with opportunities to pose questions to the instructor in an open forum. Interaction with the instructor will take place only in the classroom.
- require watching the assigned films before the live class sessions and reading/viewing digital books offering analysis of the films (additional $40 cost)
- encourage preparing your own analysis to contribute to the final live session.
Course enrollment is approximately 50 participants per session.
Space is limited. Applications for this course 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.
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 CourseScholarships
Sundance Collab offers a limited number of need-based, partial and full scholarships. Scholarship applications can be submitted until one week before the registration deadline and do not stack with discounts or promotions, including early registration. 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.
Outline
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:
- Watch Zoom's Video Tutorials or review training materials on the Getting Started page
- Join a Live Training from 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.
No sessions scheduled.
Want to be notified when new dates open for this course?