Karen's blog: Script University

Wednesday 3 March 2021

Script University

With details of upcoming courses and more:

Let Dave Trottier (Dr. Format himself) show you the necessary techniques and currently accepted standards that will set your script apart from the heap. Not only will he teach you the rules of script formatting, he will show you when and how to break them. By applying Dave’s formatting techniques, you will write more compelling description and sharper dialogue. That’s because formatting is not just a box to dump your story into but part of the story itself—it’s a writing tool that will enhance your story and help you create a reader-friendly screenplay. The course includes four lessons and several exercises to sharpen your skills. In addition, Dave will provide a complete critique of your three-page writing sample.

What You'll Learn

The three parts of a screenplay
Common errors that Hollywood readers hate and how to avoid them
Formatting techniques that may be applied to any given writing situation
How to write headings (slug lines)
The ins and outs of writing narrative description and dialogue
When and how to break the rules of formatting
The difference between formatting spec and shooting scripts
and much more!

Course Starts Thursday!
March 4 - April 1, 2021

LEARN MORE!

Instructor: Dave Trottier

Dave Trottier has sold or optioned several screenplays and developed projects for The Walt Disney Company, Hill Fields (for ABC), among others (some titles: Igor’s Revenge, The New Musketeers, A Window in Time, Hercules Recycled, The Penny Promise, and A Summer with Hemingway’s Twin.) As a script consultant and teacher, he has helped clients and students sell their work, break into the biz, and win contests, including two Nicholl Fellowships. His book, The Screenwriter’s Bible is now in its seventh edition and is a top seller. He was honored with the Distinguishing Teaching Award by the University of Phoenix and has taught writing courses, workshops, and seminars at over 30 American universities. He has written his “Ask Dr. Format” column for Script magazine since 1989 and is the friendly host of keepwriting.com.

Whether you're completely new to writing screenplays or you're an experienced screenwriter looking to add a new skill, Script University has a course for you, all from the comfort of your home! Click here to view the full course schedule >>

Courses Starting This Week:

Proper Formatting Technique: Script Format Made Easy
Instructor: Dave Trottier
It's extremely important that your screenplay is formatted correctly, or professionals won't take you seriously. Let Dave Trottier (Dr. Format himself) show you the necessary techniques and currently accepted standards that will set your script apart from the heap. Not only will he teach you the rules of script formatting, he will show you when and how to break them.

Basic Premise and Story Development for Screenwriters
Instructor: Jeff Lyons
If a story is going to fail, it will first do so at the premise level. Knowing how to create, design, and validate a premise idea are essential skills every screenwriter needs in their toolbox. Through weekly writing assignments, weekly Class Zoom chats (recorded), and constant verbal and written feedback on all work, students will be guided through the premise development, validation, and execution process.

Writing the Series Bible: Developing Your TV Series
Instructor: Lynn Grant Beck
A strong series bible is a crucial sales tool for your series. This workshop will help you get your TV series ready for an executive by developing your series premise, honing your pilot, and writing your series bible.

21 Days to Your Screenplay Treatment
Instructor: Bryan Young
Let this course show you, step-by-step, how to create an electrifying treatment! We’ve made the anxiety-producing process of treatment writing simple with our ground-breaking approach to the form. By the end of this workshop, you will have a strong treatment and a solid log line for your screenplay that has been vetted by an industry professional.