Advanced Screenwriting: Writing the First Draft Feature Screenplay

Units: 4
Student Level: Screenwriting Experience Required

May 16 - Jun 24   - Unavailable
(May Session) In-Person (ADULT 18+)
Schedule: Mon/Weds/Fri 1:00pm - 3:50pm (PDT)
Orientation: May 16, 2022 at 11:00 AM
Max. Seats: 10
Faculty: Paul Foley

Jun 27 - Aug 5   - Unavailable
In-Person ADULT (ages 18+)
Schedule: Tues / Thurs 1:00pm - 5:20pm (PDT)
Orientation: Jun 26, 2022 at 2:00 PM
Max. Seats: 8
Faculty: David Balkan

Jun 27 - Aug 5   - Unavailable
In-Person (AGES 16+)
Schedule: Mon/Weds/Fri 1:00pm - 3:50pm (PDT)
Orientation: Jun 26, 2022 at 2:00 PM
Max. Seats: 8
Faculty: Paul Foley

Jun 27 - Aug 5   - Unavailable
In-Person (AGES 16+)
Schedule: Tues / Thurs 1:00pm - 5:20pm (PDT)
Orientation: Jun 26, 2022 at 2:00 PM
Max. Seats: 8
Faculty: Paul Foley

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About the Class

Do you hope to become a Hollywood screenwriter? Do you have good ideas for stories and characters, but need some guidance to create a finished screenplay?

This cutting-edge class has been designed to offer students a chance to write a complete, feature-length screenplay. Students will leave the USC Summer Program with a finished script, which students can continue to revise or take out into the industry.

The objective of this course will be to structure and write a completed rough drat of a three-act, full-length feature screenplay in six weeks. This is a fast-paced course that will call for hard work and creativity. All students will need to begin the course with serious commitment and a strong work ethic.

Students who are interested in applying for this course are recommended to:

• Have already written or are in the process of writing a feature screenplay
• Have a practical understanding of the fundamentals of screenwriting
• Arrive with an organized story idea and clearly defined character(s)

The course is structure to nurture the students' writing with a combination of lectures and discussions. Working with the instructor and other students to workshop such topics as:

• Ideas
• Dialogue
• Formatting
• Narrative
• Action
• Structure
• Character arcs
• Story

As each student progresses through the writing process, each student will work aggressively to complete twenty-five pages per week.

It is said that a script is never done, but this class will definitely help to get you well on your way towards a rewarding finished product.

Screenwriting experience is recommended for this course. Students will be expected to know screenplay format, syntax, and terminology upon enrolling in this course.

*Should the SCA Summer Program move to an online format for Summer 2022, this course will be CONVERTED to an online class.

*Please note that dates and times of the course are subject to changes. Additional tutorials are taught during outside hours.

INSTRUCTOR(S): Paul Foley & David Balkan