Screen & Television Writing
cinema.usc.edu/writingwriting@cinema.usc.edu
213.740.3303
George Lucas Instructional Building (LUC) 301
Character Development and
Storytelling for Games
(CTWR)*
Explore characters and story worlds as they relate to
gaming with an emphasis on emotionally rich
environments in interactive entertainment.
CTWR 410L / 4 units / Danny Bilson / 19168D/ 7-10:00 pm / Th
Introduction to Screenwriting
(CNTV, CTHP, CTWR)*
Learn the basic building blocks of any screenplay—visualization,
character, dialogue, scene structure, conflict and sequence.
After writing short premises, students will progress to
combining scenes into sequences and a short script.
CTWR 412 / 2 units / Julie Sayres / 19169R / 10-12:50 pm / M
CTWR 412 / 2 units / Ronald Friedman / 19171R / 4-6:50 pm / M
CTWR 412 / 2 units / Joe Janeti / 19176R / 7-10:00 pm / M
CTWR 412 / 2 units / David Milton / 19173R / 4-6:50 pm / T
CTWR 412 / 2 units / Elizabeth Gill-Brauer / 19174R / 4-6:50 pm / T
CTWR 412 / 2 units / James McGinn / 19177R / 7-10:00 pm / T
CTWR 412 / 2 units / Frank McAdams / 19175R / 4-6:50 pm / Th
CTWR 412 / 2 units / Noreen Stone / 19172R / 1-3:50 pm / F
The Screenplay
(CNTV, CTWR)*
Explore all forms of film/television narrative fiction writing;
independent, mainstream and experimental, while taking
your writing to the next level of the screenplay form.
CTWR 414 / 2 units / Barba Greyhosky / 19190D / 1-3:50 pm / T
CTWR 414 / 2 units / Benita Garvin / 19195D / 7-10:00 pm / Th
Prerequisite: CTWR 412
Advanced Writing
(CTWR)*
Now that you know the fundamentals, start and finish
your feature script!
CTWR 415a / 4 units / Scott Sturgeon / 19200D / 7-10:00 pm / T
Prerequisite: CTWR 414
CTWR 415b / 4 units / Mardik Martin / 19203D / 1-3:50 pm / W
Prerequisite: CTWR 415a
Motion Picture Script Analysis
(CTHP, CTWR)*
Students learn how to read and evaluate scripts for
production (or vote against production). Different
screenplays are evaluated each week in terms of
structure, character relationships, motivations and how
they translate to film. Also covered are adaptations,
and how to write story reports. This course is invaluable
for aspiring producers, directors, writers, development
executives, readers or story editors.
CTWR 416 / 4 units / Peter Exline / 19205R / 1-3:50 pm / M
Writing the Hour-Long Dramatic Series
(CTWR)*
Introduction to the principles of writing network-style
episodic drama. Outline and write a “spec” script for an
existing hour-long television show such as Lost, CSI or
Grey’s Anatomy.
CTWR 421 / 2 units / Pam Douglas / 19212D / 10-12:50 pm / W
CTWR 421 / 2 units / Michael Cassutt / 19213D / 1-3:50 pm / M
CTWR 421 / 2 units / Lance Gntile / 19214D / 7-10:00 pm / T
CTWR 421 / 2 units / Georgia Jeffries / 19215D / 10-12:50 pm / Th
Prerequisite: CTWR 414
Comedy Writing Genres
(CTWR)*
Exploration into situation comedy, writing by committee,
developing comedic timing, using humor as a style of
filmmaking. Outline and write a “spec” script for an
existing half-hour sitcom.
CTWR 434 / 2 units / TBA / 19217D / 10-12:50 pm / W
CTWR 434 / 2 units / Anne Beatts / 19218D / 1-3:50 pm / W
CTWR 434 / 2 units / Moriarty / 19219D / 7-10:00 pm / W
Prerequisite: CTWR 414
Writing the Situation Comedy Pilot
(CTWR)*
Have a great idea for a half-hour show? Come learn
the creative process of writing the comedy pilot.
CTWR 437 / 2 units / Jim Staahl / 19266D / 7-10:00 pm / M
Prerequisite: CTWR 434
Writing the Original Dramatic Series Pilot
(CTWR)*
Create your own one-hour drama and write the pilot episode.
CTWR 439 / 4 units / Bernard Lechowick / 19229D / 7-10:00 pm / T
CTWR 439 / 4 units / Georgia Jeffries / 19227D / 4-6:50 pm / Th
Prerequisite: CTWR 421
Advanced Motion Picture Script Analysis
(CTWR)*
Spend the afternoon watching the greatest films of our
time with a new awareness of conflict and resolution in
the framework of the three-act structure.
CTWR 516 / 2 units / Ted Braun / 19251R / 1-4:50 pm / Th
