NBC Universal Feature Film Writing Program
The Feature Film Writing Program is a three-part refresher course that will take writers through the elements of developing a feature film script. Components will include Feature Structure, Character Development and Dialogue.
The Workshop:
Instructor:
Elke Town, Story Editor Consultant, Storyworks (more...)
Screenplay Anatomy Lessons for Screenwriters and Everyone Else
Do you have a great idea for a movie? Are you uncertain about how to give shape to your ideas and how to bring the characters to life in a believable world? Or, are you bogged down in the middle of a screenplay and have lost track of your story and don’t know where your characters are going or why?
If you want to write a screenplay as good as the movies you’ve seen and loved - the movies that have appealed to your emotions and your intellect - then this series of screenplay anatomy workshops about structure, character and dialogue can help you achieve your goals.
Using scripts from successful independent films, each series of three workshops will help you know and understand the intricate working mechanisms of screenplays. You will work from the big picture, the structure that supports the story and themes, through to the complex intricacies of creating flesh and blood characters whose desires and conflicts will resonate with audiences.
The workshops will focus on all elements of screenwriting including: genre, outlines, treatments and drafts, story, plot, sub-plots, backstory, character motivation, conflict, scene structure and sequences, turning points, reversals, tone, pacing and visual elements.
Part One: Feature Film Structure
Industry Guest:
A three-evening course for emerging writers, and intermediate writers looking for a refresher, that will cover the three-act structure, importance of themes, concepts, premise and genres. The course will also look at the structure of building plots, the economy of narrative story telling and importance of satisfying endings
Part Two: Character Development
Industry Guest:
A three-evening workshop for emerging writer, and intermediate writers looking for a refresher workshop, that will cover the essentials of creating characters. Topics covered will include: creating strong unique characters with memorable personalities, the role of protagonists, antagonists and supporting characters, building back story and psychology, differentiating between real characters and caricatures.
Part Three: Dialogue
Industry Guest:
A three-evening workshop for emerging writers, and intermediate writers looking for a refresher workshop, that will cover how to write natural, believable and economical dialogue for feature scripts. Topics covered will include: Scene structure, exposition, descriptive writing, atmosphere and tone, impact of character choices on story design and charting convincing character change.
Registration:
Location: TBA
Registration: 5:30pm-6:00pm
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Fee (For Each 3 Part Series): $195 + GST Members , $285 + GST Non-members
For all 3 parts: $450 + GST Members, $600 + GST Non-members
Registrants may also be interested in the Women Writers Workshop.
Registration information coming soon.
* Cancellation of registration with more than 3 business days notice is subject to a $25.00 administration fee; for cancellation with less than 3 business days notice, no refund will be given. WIFT-T reserves the right to cancel, reschedule or substitute guest instructors as necessary. Should the workshop be cancelled, WIFT-T will issue a full refund or credit the fee to another WIFT-T Professional Development program.
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Elke Town
Elke Town is a story editor, script consultant and head of Storyworks a company devoted to helping writers, directors and producer build better stories. With close to two decades of experience in film, television and print media, Elke has developed, financed and produced for both film and television, worked as a broadcast executive. During her time as head of Telefilm Canada’s Creative Affairs department she was involved in the development and financing of over 200 film and television projects. She also has a background in writing and the visual arts and frequently teaches screenwriting workshops. The chemistry between words and images is her forte.
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Presented by Women in Film and Television - Toronto in partnership with NBC Universal and Telefilm Canada.
With support from Ontario Media Development Corporation.
