Learn to Write Screenplays from a Biblical Worldview

TOPICS COVERED

LESSON #1 (60 minutes, plus 30 minutes Q&A)
Course Overview and The Theology of the Story and Screenplay

Why? - Every movie depicts a worldview. It starts with the story and screenplay. For Christians who want to be screenwriters, the burden and responsibility for representing a Biblical worldview in storytelling is even more critical.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

1. •The difference between a secular and Biblical worldview in storytelling.
   

2. •Responsible craftsmanship in filmmaking vs. pure artistic pursuit.
   

3. •How and where to find stories showing God at work in people’s lives today and in history.
   

4. •The promise and the pitfalls of the screenwriting business.
   

LESSON #2 (60 minutes, plus 30 minutes Q&A)
Writing the Screenplay Treatment

Using the Botkin treatment format

Why? - The treatment is a critical story tool that reveals whether you are ready to write a screenplay. It's also a powerful selling tool. Without a great treatment, it will be more difficult to attract others to fund or work on your project.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

1. •What a treatment is and why you must write one.
   

2. •The proper tone, format, and elements of a good treatment.
   

3. •Using the treatment as a sales tool and to help protect your story idea.
   

4. •Using the treatment to discover the structure to your screenplay.
   

LESSON #3 (60 minutes, plus 30 minutes Q&A)
Going Beyond the 3-Act Structure

Using Michael Hauge's Six Part Story Structure

Why? - It's a better way of looking at screenplay structure from a character's story arc perspective. We'll show you how to break down the character's change into unique segments that serve as story "drivers" so that you don't run out of steam in the second or third act.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

1. •The ins and outs of structure, why it's critical to have a solid one before writing your screenplay.
   

2. •Why using only the three act structure is not enough. Instead you'll learn to apply story beats to give your screenplay the right PACING.
   

3. •How to integrate theme and hook into the structure to create a movie that's sellable, without compromising your Christian walk or integrity.
   

4. •Properly structuring your story so you avoid writers block, and finish your story on time.
   

LESSON #4 (60 minutes, plus 30 minutes Q&A)
Developing Great Characters by Writing Great Dialogue

Using comparative analysis of award-winning scripts

Why? - Great dialogue attracts talented actors who want to speak your words. Crafting dialogue that sparkles, gives distinctive voice to characters and entertains is incredibly difficult. It's the ultimate challenge for screenwriters.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

1. •Writing authentic dialogue that individualizes characters so they don't all sound the same.
   

2. •The 10 most common dialogue mistakes.
   

3. •Techniques for weaving exposition and information without taking your audience out of the story narrative.
   

4. •Using subtext and context to push the level of dialogue from the mundane to depth and meaning.
   

LESSON #5, 6, 7 - WRITING THE SCREENPLAY

After learning the basics and techniques about treatments, structure, dialogue, and character development, you are ready to write the screenplay.

Here are the basic steps we will cover:

Week #5 (60 minutes, plus Q&A) - Step 1: Structure, Format & Action

1. •Reviewing The Structure - Preparing the story into beginning, middle and end
   

2. •Plot Points – Ensuring that the action goes into different directions
   

3. •Pictures First – Telling the story visually, in pictures, before using dialogue
   

4. •Writing Action/Description – Making your descriptions work double-duty: by advancing the story and entertaining the reader
   

LESSON #6 (60 minutes, plus Q&A) - Step 2: Character & Conflict

1. •Creating Your Protagonist – writing their backstory, need(s) vs. want(s), character flaw(s), and transformation
   

2. •Creating Your Antagonist – strong opposite of your protagonist, but real, with a tragic downfall
   

3. •Types of Conflict – inner and outer conflicts, environmental conflicts, moral conflicts
   

4. •Techniques of Great Conflict – putting your reader's psyche into peril, just like that of your characters
   

LESSON #7 will be in two parts as follows:

Part 1 - (45 minutes) - Step 3: Plot A and Subplot B, C

1. •Plot A – Creating and sustaining story momentum through Plot A without boring the audience
   

2. •Functions of Subplot B and C – Using subplots to underscore your thematic message
   

3. •Structuring Subplots – To tie up loose-ends of your story
   

Part 2 - (45 minutes) - Step 4: Dialogue & Rewriting

1. •Dialogue Delusions – Your dialogue doesn't work, so fix it already
   

2. •Rewrite Number 7 – After seven drafts, your screenplay is probably ready to shoot and why you need this

1. ✓attend a film workshop
   

2. ✓watch workshop DVDs
   

3. ✓read our film book
   

4. ✓apply for an internship
   

5. ✓work on our film sets

Copyright 2007 - 2014 Advent Film Group, LLC

Contact Us. Click here for Investor Information.