SEE YOU AT THE MOVIES: An Introduction to the Craft of Screenwriting by Christina Hamlett
START DATE: Starts the First Tuesday of Every Month
DURATION: 6 weeks
LOCATION: Email only
FEEDBACK: Instructor feedback
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This 6-week class provides an overview of the techniques and formatting requirements to develop an original screenplay. The lectures and assignments cover character development, dialogue, genre, structure, pacing, budget, and marketability. All materials submitted are critiqued by a professional screenplay consultant and learners are free to ask as many questions as they’d like about how to turn a story idea into a commercial, pitch-ready script.
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Christina Hamlett’s Introduction to Screenwriting course was a revelation! Christina provides a wide array of information and links to valuable resources in her lessons, as well as detailed, helpful feedback on each assignment. She strikes a great balance between providing constructive comments and encouragement. This course is a great value and a lot of fun! ~ Susan Moffson
Christina is not only formidably talented and experienced, her passion for the written word is non pareil which makes working with her an experience that a writer lucky enough to do so will keep with them for a very long time to come. Christina is the Rolls Royce of script consultants. ~ Julie Gray, Founder, The Script Department and author of The Rouge Wave
Christina's the best. Shortly after the first workshop production of my musical, "MadAvenue," I asked her to help fix some things I thought needed changing. Her advice and suggestions were amazing. What a difference she made! Thanks, thanks, thanks to a real pro." ~ Walt Bagot
As an artist, I work with creative high school students as a mentor. Encouraging these fine young people to "keep at it" is a real challenge. Keeping their passion alive is the goal of the mentoring teams that I field. Christina Hamlett has accomplished something quite rare as an author/teacher in her "Screenwriting for Teens." First, she breaks her message down into (well organized) bite-sized pieces for easy mental digestion. Secondly, with the assistance of young Nick Morgan, she speaks directly to her audience in a most compelling way. Thirdly, she demystifies this important lesson about story telling. And, lastly, this book resonates with any person interested in learning how to be a more effective storyteller . . . the author's genuine warmth and intelligence imbue each and every page. ~ Dan Koffman, Artist-educator
Christina Hamlett is one of our most valuable writers. She takes care to attune herself to each client’s individual vision, and dedicates herself to realizing the potential of every project. She also has a keen eye for the needs of the market, and never hesitates to provide the client with honest and invaluable advice. ~ Sara King, Project Manager, Penn Group, LLC
Working with Christina Hamlett has been a wonderful experience. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and positive attitude has made it so easy to work with her. I appreciate her willingness to share her knowledge and I admire her passion and infectious enthusiasm. ~ Maggie Worrix King
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WEEKS AT A GLANCE:
Week 1: Recognizing the differences between movies, books, and plays.
ASSIGNMENT: A short essay in which you will identify a favorite film and (1) discuss why it works and (2) whether it would or would not work as a novel or stage play.
Week 2: Divide and Conquer—A discussion of the formulaic nature of screenwriting and how it can make your writing easier.
ASSIGNMENT: Watch a film of any type and break it down into each of the four acts discussed in lecture.
Week 3: Formatting—The basics of writing a script for the screen.
ASSIGNMENT: Write a two page original scene in standard screenplay format.
Week 4: Titles, log lines, synopses, and target audiences.
ASSIGNMENT: Come up with a title, a log line, a 500-word synopsis, and identify who your movie would appeal to...and why.
Week 5: Film treatments.
ASSIGNMENT: Write a treatment of your movie not to exceed 1000 words.
Week 6: Hooking an Audience & Not Letting Them Go
ASSIGNMENT: Submission of the first 10 pages of your own script.
Materials needed: All materials are supplied by the instructor.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Former actress and theatre director Christina Hamlett is an award-winning author whose credits to date include 47 books, 266 stage plays and squillions of articles, blogs, and interviews. She is also a script consultant for stage and screen, a gourmet cook and a professional ghostwriter. Her cozy mystery series is set against the backdrop of the UK and currently includes A LITTLE LARCENY IN LYNMOUTH, A LITTLE SCANDAL IN ST. ANDREWS, A LITTLE DRAMA IN DUNSTER, and A LITTLE POISON IN PAISLEY.
COST: $150, which includes one-on-one support and critiques through email. With the exception of two assignments that need to be sent via U.S. mail, all content and critiques are exchanged by email.
BUY NOW: SEE YOU AT THE MOVIES: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CRAFT OF SCREENWRITING, by Christina Hamlett (6 weeks, starting the first Tuesday of the month). Limit: 10 students.
Notes: Upon successful completion of payment, your name, email address, and contact info will be submitted to your instructor. She will contact you via email so you can get started.
Questions? Email Marcia & Angela at:
classroom[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com
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