Back to Home > Courses and Seminars > On Demand > The 20-Minute Screenwriter, Part 1

The 20-Minute Screenwriter, Part 1

A crash course with D.B. Gilles and Katherine Wessling

PRICE
Get access to all Mediabistro on Demand videos for only $19 per month ($15 for ).

SYNOPSIS
Stop thinking about your idea for a screenplay, and start writing! Meet an expert who knows what it takes to get your screenplay down on paper.

What preparations do you need to make before you begin writing? How many acts should the screenplay have? How many pages should each act be? What will make your screenplay stand out? How long will this process take?

Featuring:

• D.B. Gilles, author of The Screenwriter Within and The Portable Film School
• Katherine Wessling, actress and mediabistro.com instructor

A detailed crib sheet tracks all the terms and sources mentioned in the video.

DURATION/TIME
1 video
29 minutes total running time

Table of Contents

Sections Length Size
PREVIEW
  Highlights FREE!
Watch a free preview of The 20-Minute Screenwriter. 		1:17 4 MB
  To watch the videos below, please click here to purchase or login. Requires Flash 7 or higher.

Crib Sheet (PDF)
Download this outline and use it to take notes. Includes resources and other information.
  The 20-Minute Screenwriter, Part 1 29:25 82 MB
 

1. Structure
The conventional structure of a screenplay is three acts. What is the breakdown of these three acts? How many pages should each act include? You'll want to make sure that your screenplay follows the proper structure before you go any further.

2. Story
How do you adapt your story to the structure of a screenplay? Character development is essential so that your screenplay tells a story, not merely a situation.

3. Drafts
Don't expect to perfect your screenplay on the first try. Getting the beginning, middle, and end of your story down on paper is just start of your screenplay. You’ll go through many re-writes before you end up with your true first draft.

4. Wave Movement
A good screenplay is like a wave. Before the wave crashes and a resolution is reached, you must build up your story, characters, theme…etc. to keep your audience interested.

5. Second Act
Don't repeat information. Keep the audience guessing by introducing new elements to the plot throughout the script.

6. Outlines and Treatments
What's the difference? Make sure to create the proper blueprint for your screenplay.

7. Instigating Event
Why is the instigating event so important? When should this event take place? Hit your viewers with an event that will make them interested in the rest of the film.