The second course of scriptwriting instruction guides students through the entire process of writing a script. It offers methods for brainstorming, researching, and planning your script, as well as writing it. 

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The lectures combine theory and practice. Prior to the start of the course, students who want to enroll in this course are advised to submit with their registration a synopsis (a rough outline or summary, minimum one paragraph, maximum one page) of an idea they want to work on during the course that they would like to develop into a script.

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During the course, we will take a structured approach to developing your script as well as free-form techniques. Students are required to write homework exercises and share their writing with other students during the course in order to gather valuable feedback on their work and to make progress on their script writing. 

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The course is based on an extensive bibliography and offers free detailed notes. Each lesson lasts 3 hours and takes place every 2 weeks. The first part of each lesson offers a presentation of relevant theory and the remainder of the lesson requires students to share their writing with others and give feedback to each other. Exercises are conducted in class with writing prompts. 

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Students who have already taken the 1st course are encouraged to enroll. Those who have not attended Course 1 can register if they wish to develop their idea. Prior knowledge of basic scripting principles is desirable but not required.

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To get a sample of the courses, click here for the FREE SCREENWRITING GUIDE where you will find the syllabus for the second lesson of the 1st course.

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The courses are taught by Anastasia Bartzoulianou, screenwriter of the award-winning short film The Noir Project by director Gregory 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 special knowledge is required, only a love for cinema! Requirements: personal computer, internet connection & free open source software Open Office text editor. 

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To secure a place, registration is required with a 20€ deposit which will be deducted from the total tuition fee. The course will take place once the required number of students has been reached. 

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Time: Every second Thursday, 6-9 pm.

Course starts on January 23, 2025.

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For registration and other information contact 9 am - 5 pm daily at:
693 6463 673

email: mathimata.senariou@gmail.com

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For individual lessons go here.

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Schedule - 2nd Course

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Lesson 1: The initial idea

How to move from the idea phase to the research and planning phase of your script. Collecting elements and techniques of combining them.  

Raw ideas. Emotional connection to an idea. Originality and instincts.

Commercial and artistic value of an idea.

The stratagem of banality and lack of responsibility.

What is appraisal feedback and how to offer it during lessons.

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Lesson 2: Drama

What is drama and how to approach it.

Introduction to character and plot development.

What is the process of approaching a script.

Structure of drama: Conflict.

The status perspective stratagem/power plays.

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Lesson 3: Structure

What is a scene, sequence and structure of a script.

The failure stratagem: The audacity of failure and the law of quantity.

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Lesson 4: Theme

Topic - Conceptual thinking.

The challenge and pitfalls of writing around a theme.

Exploring and combining themes. Practical tools for theme development.

The logline-compass and understanding how to construct it.

The fictional case technique.

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Lesson 5: Worldbuilding

The imaginary world.

The ordinary world and the world of the story.

Practical tools for the creation of worldbuilding. 

Mind-mapping. Clustering. Free association technique and automatic writing.

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Lesson 6: Characters

Character development. What it is and how to approach it.

Intuitive/investigative/focused development.

Character profiling. Integrated character development.

Practical tools for developing your characters.

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Lesson 7: Plot

Plot and plot points.

Practical tools for creating a plot. File cards, excel sheets, etc.

Structural flexibility. The technique of clarifying the problem.

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Lesson 8: The audiovisual medium

Visual/conceptual thinking. Working with music and sound.

Writing, editing, proofreading and formatting a script.

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Lesson 9: The first draft

Working with dreams and emotions. The emotional structure.

Editing your material and creating a first draft.

Detailed feedback and notes from a professional script consultant. How it works.

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Lesson 10: The final draft 

The Reversibility Technique.

Working with rhythm, sub-text and the psychology of the viewer.

Editing the first draft and the path to your final draft.

Re-writing techniques.