Screenwriting

DURATION/TIME 12 weeks Tuesdays June 5 - August 28 7-10 pm LEVEL Intermediate/advanced LOCATION West Hollywood, CA PRICE $610 ($575 for ) more info

Course Details

You've had a great idea for a screenplay for years. You can write and have a good eye for a story. But you just can't seem to get from concept to finished product. What you is need an in-depth look at structure, dialogue, character, and development. And what do you need the most? To finish your script!

In this intense, 12-week workshop, you'll work with like-minded classmates and instructor Matthew Waynee (writer of the upcoming film Unknown) to finish and workshop a complete draft of your screenplay.

• The three-act structure of screenwriting
• How to enhance your storytelling abilities and create more drama in every scene
• How to format and structure your screenplay
• How to create effective, memorable characters
• What to do with your screenplay when it's finished

Admission requirements:
Please submit a letter of interest (including a brief work history) and a fiction or nonfiction writing sample (less than 2,000 words).

Instructor Bio

Matthew Waynee's Courses

Matthew Waynee's first screenplay, Unknown, was released nationwide by the Weinstein Company and IFC Films in 2006. This edgy psychological thriller stars a stellar cast, including Jim Caviezel (The Passion), Greg Kinnear (Little Miss Sunshine), Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan), Jeremy Sisto (Six Feet Under), Joe Pantoliano (The Sopranos, The Matrix), Bridget Moynahan (Coyote Ugly), and Peter Stormare (Prison Break, Fargo).

Matthew earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame in English and psychology and studied at the University of Southern California where he earned a Master's in screenwriting. He has been teaching for eleven years, including his writing class at USC for seven years.

Matthew's first novel The Table, was published in 2002. He also has extensive experience directing; he ran a drama department in Texas for three years before moving to Los Angeles, where he has since directed several short films and music videos, including a video for Warner Brothers.

Testimonials

Matthew is the best writing teacher I've ever had. His critiques are always thoughtful, surprising, and infinitely helpful. If you take this class, you will become a better writer. -- Kara Howland, executive assistant, TV Guide Network & Blogger, tvguide.com

"Matthew probably cares too much about your writing. He fully invests himself in your script and progress and gives you plenty to think about in every class." -- Austen Earl

"The constant feedback, advice, thoughtful suggestions, and positive reinforcement made all the difference in the world. Even criticism was done in a way that made us want to listen and make our work better." -- Phillip Nakov

"Matthew not only provided great advice, but encouragement to those of us new to screenwriting. The course was well worth the time and effort. -- Deborah Mack

"Matthew is an excellent screenwriting teacher. With his experience as a working and produced screenwriter of a well-received film, he could speak to very specific questions about the industry." -- Lisa Takeuchi Cullen