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Interactive Screenwriting Course with Professor Michael Green

Join Professor Michael Green in a dynamic distance learning course on screenwriting. Learn through lectures, films, discussions, and assignments to improve your writing skills and create a short script. Engage with classmates and receive feedback for a successful scriptwriting experience.

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Interactive Screenwriting Course with Professor Michael Green

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  1. Lecture 1:Course Introduction Professor Michael Green Class Textbook

  2. Professor Michael Green • Lecturer • Film and Media Studies, Arizona State University • MFA, Creative Writing, ASU • Teaches courses in Film Studies; Screenwriting; Cultural Theory • Research is in fiction and critical race studies.

  3. Michael’s Favorite Movies • Jaws • The Empire Strikes Back • The Quiet American • Midnight Run • Crimes and Misdemeanors • Back to the Future • 25th Hour • Wonder Boys

  4. In This Lesson • What kind of distance learning course is this? • How can you succeed in this course? • What do we study in this course? • What are the assignments? • Why the short film? No Country for Old Men (2007) Written by Cormac McCarthy (novel) and Joel and Ethan Coen (Screenplay)

  5. What Kind of Distance Learning Course is This? Lesson 1: Part I Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) Written by Roald Dahl (book) and John August (screenplay)

  6. A Unique Distance Learning Experience • This is not an automated course. • This is not a self-paced course. • This course emphasizes interactivity: • Asynchronous • Synchronous • Participation is key to your success!

  7. The Advantages of this Course • Flexibility… not limited by space • Study materials available 24/7 • Lectures (streaming audio w/ PowerPoint) • Websites & other resources • Films linked to site • Clips • Structured like a traditional course • Complements multiple learning styles • Lots of interactivity

  8. Potential Disadvantages • Students that learn best through face-to-face debate can struggle in this environment. • Ways to compensate • Arrange for real-time meetings with classmates • Students that are not well organized tend to not do well in this environment. • Meet all deadlines • Study in advance of assignments

  9. How to Succeed in This Course Lesson 1: Part II The Great Train Robbery (1903) Written by Scott Marble and Edwin S. Porter

  10. How do We Define Success? • Becoming better, more knowledgeable writers • Leaving the course with a finished short script • Getting a high grade: A or B • Becoming more adept at taking constructive criticism The Apartment (1960) Written by Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond

  11. Course Organization • Each lesson contains: • Screening (linked short film) • Reading • Website • Lecture • eBoard • Clips (Sometimes) Juno (2007) Written by Diablo Cody 11

  12. Forms of Interactivity • Threaded discussions onthe eBoard with classmates and professors • Office Hours (if possible) • Online Chats with prof. • E-mail Almost Famous (2000) Written by Cameron Crowe

  13. And Not Just Any Kind of Interactivity! • To study writing and film we must debate. • However this does not require being disrespectful or insensitive. • I expect us to discuss writing and film with passion and perspective. • I expect us to challenge each other’s conceptions of writing and film with rigor and respect.

  14. What do we study in this course? Rope (1948) Written by Patrick Hamilton (play) and Hume Cronyn (adaptation) and Arthur Laurents (screenplay) Lesson 1: Part III

  15. The Writing Process • What does it take to be a successful screenwriter? • Getting Started • Staying Focused • The Workshop • Revision The Great Dictator (1940) Written by Charles Chaplin 15

  16. The Principles of Drama • How is storytelling related to screenwriting? • Plot and story • Character and emotion • The three-part structure • Dialogue • Meaning Hamlet by William Shakespeare 16

  17. Assignments Lesson 1: Part IV

  18. Participation/Exercises • Participation and short writing exercises are worth 40% of your final grade (200 points) • Grade is based on: • Contributing one writing exercise and two posts per lesson to the forum. • Keeping up with posts and exercises - meeting deadlines. • Quality of posts & exercises. • See Syllabus

  19. Treatment • The treatment is worth 20% of your grade (100 Points) • It is a boiled down prose version of your story that includes such crucial aspects as an outline of the plot and a description of the main characters and their function within the plot. • It should be 2-3 single spaced pages. • See the website for a sample treatment.

  20. First Draft of Short Script • 20% of your grade (100 pts) • You will complete the first draft of a screenplay for a short film. A first draft is by definition rough, but it should be about 10 pages long and include a beginning, middle and end along with other identifiable aspects of story structure such as conflict, crisis and resolution. Your script should be in a standard screenplay format approved by your instructor.

  21. Final Draft of a Short Script • 20% of your grade (100 pts) • The final draft will include many of the elements of the first draft but show demonstrable improvement over the first draft. The student should aim for the final draft to be 10-12 pages. It should be as polished as possible in terms of both the writing and the format.

  22. Why the Short Film? George Lucas in Love (1999) Written by Joe Nussbaum and Timothy Dowling (story) and Joe Nussbaum and Daniel Sheere (writer) Lesson 1: Part V

  23. Starting Short • As a beginner, writing a short script before you attempt to write a feature-length script allows you to: • Work with the principles of fiction and drama at a manageable level • Learn economy • Revise more easily • Practice screenplay format

  24. Advantages for the Student Filmmaker • Short films are the predominant form in film schools • Far cheaper to make than features • Easier to get into film festivals • Can act as a calling card to the film industry

  25. Short Film about Short Films • At the conclusion of the lecture watch “Live at Sundance: Short Films, Tall Ideas.” • Then go to the eBoard and answer the questions for lesson1. 25

  26. Five Things to Remember • Go through the website, or virtual classroom, with care; know it well. • Get to know your classmates. • Keep up with all Lesson Tasks. • Turn assignments in on time, written at a college level. • Discuss with rigor & respect.

  27. End of Lecture 1 Next Lecture: How do I get Started Writing and how do I Keep Going?

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