Want to take a creative writing class that is different than the usual? Screenwriting Courses will introduce you to the world of fiction, from the creator's point of view. Whatever form of story you want to write (short story, novel, screenplay, etc.) Screenwriting Lessons will give you the method to navigate the techniques that all professional writers use. You will also learn to "read" a film, no longer as a spectator, but as a connoisseur of the ways in which one can develop characters, set up a solid structure, and unfold a plot - all with a visual method. , which will help you envision scenes, live them, and put them to paper.

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This course has taken place at the SourLiBooM Art Space (Thessaloniki, Greece) for two years, as well as at the Writers' Union of Northern Greece, with great success, and has been repeated in online sessions in the period 2020-2022. To get a first taste of the lessons, click here for the FREE SCRIPT GUIDE where you will find the material for the second lesson.

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The lessons are taught by Anne Barthes (aka Anastasia Bartzoulianou), screenwriter of the award-winning short film The Noir Project by director Grigoris Vardarinos. The film has won a total of 8 awards at 5 different Film Festivals in Greece, including the screenplay award at the Athens International Digital Film Festival.

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The seminar is addressed to the general public. No previous specialized knowledge is required, just a love for the cinema! Requirements: personal computer, internet connection & free open source word processor.  

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The whole course consists of 10 three-hour meetings (30 hours in total). A meeting is held every week.  

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Registration is required with a deposit of € 20 which will be deducted from the total amount of tuition. The course takes place once the required number of students is completed.  

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Classes: Fall 2024

Every Monday afternoon 6-9 pm

Starting from October 14th

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For registrations and other information contact afternoon 9 am - 5 pm daily at:
+30 693 6463 673

write.for.the.screen.lessons@gmail.com

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For individual lessons go here .

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Curriculum

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Lesson 1: Setting the goal
Part 1: Why do we tell stories? What need leads us to this? • What are the basic rules of drama? • What are the characteristics of a good short film? • When does a movie have cinematic features? And more...
Part 2: The History of the short film. • Differences between short and feature films. Typical structures of short films: a) the journey (the "journey" structure), b) the ritual (the "ritual occasion" structure)

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Lesson 2: How to format a film script
• Cinematic terminology - the technical terms used in a script (e.g. fade in, fade out, internal / external scene, insert, flashback, etc.) • Complete script formatting guide

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Lesson 3: Visualization
• Opening of the film (exposition) • Main and secondary plot (Plot & subplot) • Visualization strategies "show - don't tell". The strategy of "show-don't tell" in screenwriting, or in other words how we tell a story using images

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Lesson 4: The character - character creation techniques
• Emotional development • Desire and need • Biography and past of the character (backstory) • Psychology & sociology of the character • Attitudes, beliefs, values of the character • Decisions, choices, commitments and actions • The character as action • Revealing the character under dramatic conditions • Character transformation • Tips: character visualization strategies

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Lesson 5: The structure of the script - The three-act structure
• Plot creation process • Set-up, exposure, inciting incident, rising action • What is a crisis and how it works • The function of the midpoint • The function of climax and resolution • Structure and plot differences • The role of conflict • Principles of action

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Lesson 6: Plot (continued)
• The second act • How we keep the viewers interest undiminished • What is suspense and how to create it • Reversal and types of reversal • The false solution • The third act • Revelation, culmination, solution • Revelation of the character

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Lesson 7: The structure of a scene-How to build a scene
• Principles of building a scene • Visual actions • Scene evolution • Sequences • The hidden meaning of a scene (Scene subtext) • Routine (business) • The role of humor • Economy

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Lesson 8: Dialogue- The function of dialogue
• The advancement of the plot, character revelation, etc. • Characteristics of good dialogue
• "Voice", Simplicity, Economy, etc. • Techniques and tips • Body language

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Lesson 9: The hidden meaning (subtext) and its role
• Dialogue and emotion • Thoughts, feelings and motivations • The role of the "hidden meaning" (subtext) • The routine, the atmosphere, and more...

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Lesson 10: Writing a short script
a. writing a story plan (story outline) b. writing a character report c. Writing the first manuscript d. Correcting the script: Substance and style

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In each lesson written exercises are optional, with emphasis on creative writing techniques. Homework is optional.

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