Developing Dialogue

WHEN 6 weeks, October 6 - November 10 Chats Mondays, 9-10 pm ET WHERE Online. Click here for more information. LEVEL Intermediate/Advanced PRICE $425 ($400 for ) more info

Course Details

Dialogue and subtext play several major roles in a good screenplay, stage play, or novel. Great dialogue moves the plot forward, supports your characterizations, and externalizes conflict. In this intensive course, we will explore the craft of dialogue through lectures, readings, film viewing assignments, workshopping of student scenes, and writing exercises. You will learn how to improve your existing dialogue through editing and revision. This class will focus on writing dialogue, and is not an introduction to the fundamentals of narrative writing in general. Students are assumed to have had specific experience with the basics of screenwriting, playwriting, or fictional prose prior to taking this class.

The online classroom has several interactive components:

• Instructors post lectures once a week. You can read them online, print them, or download them at your convenience.
• Students post completed assignments for feedback and discussion by the instructor and class.
• Weekly chats allow your class to get together via instant message. Transcripts are available for review if you can't attend.
• Technical support is available from mediabistro staff.
  
  

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Instructor Bio

Jeffrey Stanley's Courses

Jeffrey Stanley has been hired to write screenplays for several indie production companies and most recently optioned his comedy Jane Henry: A Tribute to GreeneStreet Films which he will direct. His screenplay Brain On Fire, which he will also direct, has been optioned to producer Matthew Myers, and his award-winning short film Lady in a Box starring Sarita Choudhury has been licensed for international TV broadcast. He has also written screenplays for acclaimed director Barbara Kopple and for Andrew Lauren Productions.

Jeffrey's screenwriting awards include the Graduate Achievement Award from New York University, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Screenplay Award, the New York Picture Company Award for Best Dramatic Screenplay, the Tennessee National Screenwriting Competition, and the Laurel Entertainment Award for Screenwriting Excellence. Jeffrey's 1999 play Tesla's Letters received rave reviews, publication, and productions around the world, including the 2007 Chicago premiere. He has also appeared as a guest writer in The New York Times and Time Out New York.

Testimonials

Jeffrey is a talented writer who knows how to teach. He not only gives you the basics, he helps you develop your script wherever you are in the writing process. -- Tim Burr & Aaron Stoker-Ring, Final Draft Screewriting Competition Semi-Finalists

"Jeffrey is a great teacher. I took a class of his some time ago and I continue to use his notes as my primary source of reference. I highly recommend him." -- James Nance, Jr.

"Jeff is in the mix, makes himself available to those who want to learn, and most importantly, he's got the goods on craft." -- Courtney Kopec

"Jeffrey has the knowledge, experience, talent and skills to take a mid-level professional writer and provide him or her with the tools to compete in the big leagues." -- Spencer Michlin