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Animation Panel
TV Animation Writing Panel Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Join us for a rare look into TV animation writing – a facet of the entertainment industry that gives work many writers and continues to thrive in the New Media Age. Our panel includes writers and story editors representing the entire gamut of animated shows ranging from young children, pre-teen and teen to adult network fare.
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Back to topHal Ackerman (Rated a star speaker in 2006)
The Semantics of Antics -- Analysis of 5 Great Comedy Scenes Course Level: BEG-ADV
Course Description: Looking at the laugh triggers of five classic comedy scenes. We will be screening scenes from Tootsie Lost in America Seinfeld Fawlty Towers Mon Oncle (Jacques Tati) amidst discussion of others.
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Dancing With The Wadoogee -- Writing Scenes That Crackle with Life Course Level: BEG-ADV
Course Description: You will come out of this seminar a changed writer. You will understand at last how to write scenes that sparkle with life. You will be given the litmus test for valuating what you've done and the means to remedy mistakes. Bring writing materials and a short finished scene you've written.
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Writing Exercises for The Fit Screenwriter Course Level: BEG-ADV
Course Description: Olympic athletes train their bodies to become the instrument of their art. Writers must develop our writing muscles. Take a 90 minute trip to the 'Writers Gym.' Learn some amazing exercises to build your scene writing and story structure Muscle Groups.
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Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz
Lost -- Anatomy of an episode with Writer-Producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Please vote for your favorite of these five episodes that Lost writing-producing team Kitsis and Horowitz penned. The episode with the most votes will become the focus of an in-depth discussion by Kitsis and Horowitz regarding everything it took to bring this hour of television from the page into your living room!
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Managers and Agents Panel
Manager's and Agents Panel Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Learn from the best, what it takes to land a Manager and/or an agent! Moderated by Script Sharks, Lee Zahavi
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Pilar Alessandra (Rated a star speaker in 2002-2006)
Pitch in a Minute Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Pitch quickly and avoid producer tune-out. This workshop uses a written template to help writers define the key elements of their screenplay and by doing so pitch their script in a brief concise and entertaining manner that emphasizes the hook and eliminates 'writer-babble.'
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Beyond the Chick Flick -- Writing The Female Driven Screenplay Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Don't cry into your Hagen Dazs. Write female-driven screenplays that hang with the big boys. This seminar will help you brainstorm original stories with female leads replace 'soft' scenes with active moments and create bold characters all without falling into tired stereotypes.
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Surviving Rewrite Hell Course Level: ADV
Course Description: You know your script has to be rewritten but where do you begin? Conquer your rewrite fears with writing tools that cut through the fat highlight the hook and make your script an industry must-read.
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Dynamic Dialogue Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Learn quick and effective writing techniques to revive bland exchanges tune up character voices create relationship tension and generally bring more life to the page.
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Behind Their Eyes -- Creating Memorable Characters Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Unique writing tools and techniques help you create strong characters heightened emotional moments and bold story choices. Topics include ... Character and Story Character and Relationships Character and Scene Activity Character and Emotional Turning Points Writers should come prepared to write and work.
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Genre Tricks & Trends Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Edge-of-your-seat thrillers laugh-out-loud comedies tear-jerker dramas. Learn the key elements that will make your genre pieces specific and sellable.
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You Had Me at Page One Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Make the reader love you on the first page. Learn writing techniques that help your script hit the ground running. Writers may bring in a first page (enough copies for the class) for potential feedback.
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Howard Allen (Rated a star speaker in 2006)
The Secret Weapon of Great Comedy AND Thriller Scripts Course Level: ADV
Course Description: As a professional actor/director turned into screenwriter and ScriptDoctor.com Howard Allen can show you one amazing writer's tool to make comedy and suspense fire on all cylinders. In your story's subtext structure find a dozen ways to use this device on grateful audiences.
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Tina Andrews
Dialogue Workshop Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: The ability to write vibrant, believable, character-based dialogue is one of the key elements that separate good screenwriters from mediocre ones. Intended for both beginning and more experienced writers, this class is designed to improve clunky exposition ridden dialogue by dramatizing through conflict, create viable subtext, differentiate between character voices, and advance storyline using the motto: “Show, not tell.” Participants are encouraged to bring in two copies of a two-character scene from their screenplay.
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Interview w/ Q and A Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description:
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Steven Barnes (Rated a star speaker in 2004-2006)
Future Perfect -- The Art of Science Fiction Course Level: ADV
Course Description: The Science Fiction genre is one of the world's most popular and drives the entire field of effects technology. But science fiction isn't the whiz-bang CGI Industrial Light and Magic wizardry: it is the interplay of ideas and the symphony of extrapolation behind them. It is human beings caught in a shift of reality. It is the human heart caught in the gears of the Machine. This workshop will explore the tropes and memes of this vital exciting genre from its origins to its future. You will learn the most important rules and principles how to research how to sustain the critical suspension of disbelief even in the most extreme and bizarre scenarios. How to avoid amateur mistakes and how to think like a professional Science Fiction writer.
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The Gorgon in the Mirror -- The How & Why of Horror Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Look it up for yourself: Horror films have the best cost/profit ratio of any genre. Audiences have an inexhaustible appetite for them—and studios are dying to pay you to write them. But there are rules honed over centuries of folklore and fable and decades of film television and novels. Fail to understand what this complex genre really is what its fans need how to trigger the deepest darkest emotions or how to set up and pay off suspense sequences and you will fail. By analyzing the most profitable and influential horror films ever made we will peel away the mystery and reveal the truth: Horror films are today's dark fairy tales today's mythology and one of the most direct tap-root into the collective unconscious.
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Heart of the Matter -- Deep Characterization Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Character is the 'Heart' of writing and the depth of your ability to create believable characters is directly related to your understanding of humanity itself. This workshop will introduce you to the oldest and most complete model of human psychology in the world and show you how to apply it not only to your writing but your own life. Master the relationship between plot and character and you have 90% of the skills necessary to succeed in this business: the rest is just hard work the right software and a dash of luck.
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David Bartlett
Writing the Multiple Storyline Screenplay Course Level: PRO
Course Description: For experienced writers who want to go to the master level. Breaks down the simple steps necessary to writing a screenplay with multiple storylines and several main protagonists. This gives you the tools to turn the process of multiple storyline writing from being complex and potentially daunting to being comprehendible and doable. Attendess should see Crash Magnolia Boogie Nights and Pulp Fiction before you come. Handout Included.
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The 12 Step Program to Debugging Your Screenplay -- Why It Won't Sell Course Level: PRO
Course Description: Focuses on giving screenwriters workable tools they can use to debug problems in their screenplays. Details steps which find problem areas that are not always easy to see. This is not a theoretical dissertation but an actual program that can be followed to debug any screenplay that is not selling or not finished. Handout Included.
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Producing the Micro-Budget Feature Film - Part I Course Level: ALL
Course Description: A command performance of the very popular 2006 seminar. Focuses on the producer director and writer interested in creating a feature length film for under $650 000. Topics covered are: planning the film from blank pages to getting distribution sales before you start developing and securing the screenplay casting and SAG the shooting crew the importance of food the vital need of pre-production planning the camera you choose why production sound is the make-break point of foreign sales electronic post planned before you shoot a frame and what a deliverable is and how it is vital for your sales. Handout Included.
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Producing the Micro Budget Feature Film - Part II Course Level: ADV
Course Description: By popular demand an advanced version of the original seminar has been developed. Concentrates on advanced aspects of film made with very small budgets. The most critical elements are covered in greater detail with more attendee interaction encouraged. Key subjects covered are: writing your script to fit the budget SAG requirements camera types shooting schedules music licensing electronic post and when to start selling and marketing your film. Recommended for attendees who have related production or post production experience have made their own films or who attended last year's seminar.
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Glenn Benest
Writing For Stars Course Level: ADV
Course Description: A film gets produced because a major star commits to the project. It only makes sense then to write great acting vehicles for those bankable actors. This workshop will provide valuable insights into writing and marketing your script so it will attract major talent.
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Writing High Concept Movies Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Most movies are bought because they have very marketable ideas that can be promoted easily to a large audience. What does 'high concept' really mean and how can we all learn to develop more marketable ideas? This workshop will discuss how to give yourself the best chance possible of selling your screenplays.
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Tony Blake
The Unspoken Rules of Hollywood Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Navigating The Minefield To Success. Forewarned is forearmed. Blake speaks from 20 years of prime time and feature experience revealing the inner workings of show business from a writer/producer who's been there and done that.
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Bill Boyle
Respecting the Antagonist Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Villains and Unsympathetic Characters don't consider themselves bad. You shouldn't either. Both the hero and the antagonist need to be ‘right' carried from their legitimate point of view. It is important to recognize that your antagonist is doing the best they can given their fears needs knowledge skills pain and personal history. A weak antagonist often leads to a one dimensional hero. If you do not respect your antagonist you short change them. You give them points of view and arguments that are easily disputed. This weakens them and in the process weakens your protagonist.
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Aline Brosh-McKenna
Interview Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description:
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Michael Ray Brown
A Structure Checklist -- How to Plug the Holes in Your Script Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Screenwriting has been described as a craft not an art. Structure is arguably the most important factor in a script's success. Learn how to quickly analyze your screenplay in 18 crucial areas. Discover what it takes to make your script fire on all cylinders.
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Philippa Burgess (Rated a star speaker in 2004-2005)
Million-Dollar Screenwriting Career -- Picture the Deal Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Has someone offered to option your script? Does a producer want you to do a re-write? More often than not a writer gets an offer before they get representation. This class will look at getting the right deal negotiation and deal issues with or without representation. We look at the impact on writers on films being developed packaged and produced in different financing and distribution models. We address where is the line between taking notes for free or for fee? We look at how far should a writer go in terms of developing with a producer; look at considerations for option agreements; spec sale turnaround; and discuss how writer deals are structured along with Guild protections and requirements.
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Sara Caldwell
The Suspense is Killing Me. Writing Horror Action Sequences Course Level: ADV
Course Description: This seminar explains the importance of action sequences and explores pacing introducing and enhancing characters through action building suspense and writing scenes with sex and violence. Tips are also given on what to avoid when writing action.
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Frank Chindamo
Writing Internet and Mobile Video Hits - Part 1 Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Can you do better than YOUTUBE? 100 million times a day video is being downloaded on YouTube. 100 million videos. Per day. And that's just on YouTube. Can YOU do better than the video they're showing ? It's the most likely way you'll make money in the world of new media. Mobile and Internet film series are the newest cinematic art form and there is a huge and growing demand for quality content right now. Thousands of videos are posted daily on the Internet but few create interest excitement and profit. In this session learn to develop write shoot edit and post the first three episodes of a webisode or mobisode to the Internet or mobile phones. Instruction emphasizes great stories and great characters. Other topics include overview of the mobile and Internet video markets generating traffic and hits revenue-sharing models and exploiting your work internationally.
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Writing Internet and Mobile Video Hits - Part 2 Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Can you do better than YOUTUBE? 100 million times a day video is being downloaded on YouTube. 100 million videos. Per day. And that's just on YouTube. Can YOU do better than the video they're showing ? It's the most likely way you'll make money in the world of new media. Mobile and Internet film series are the newest cinematic art form and there is a huge and growing demand for quality content right now. Thousands of videos are posted daily on the Internet but few create interest excitement and profit. In this session learn to develop write shoot edit and post the first three episodes of a webisode or mobisode to the Internet or mobile phones. Instruction emphasizes great stories and great characters. Other topics include overview of the mobile and Internet video markets generating traffic and hits revenue-sharing models and exploiting your work internationally.
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Paul Chitlik
How to Know When You're Done - the 8 steps you must take to finish your rewrite. Course Level: PRO
Course Description: It's hard to know when you've completed a draft even if you're a working professional. But there are eight steps you can take to make sure your draft is the best it can be before you send it out.
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Barri Evins CineStory
Faster than a Speeding Bullet Catapult Your Career to the Top. Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: A perfectly pitched, ‘hooky’ idea leaves buyers dying to know more and drives movie goers to theatres in droves. Determine before you write if your idea has that hook. Learn simple litmus tests to target the best possible story for you, and nobody else but you, to write next. Uncover the mysteries from the other side of the desk, what executives won't tell you in the room. Know the mistakes guaranteed to sink your pitch and the sure fire ways to slam dunk it. Discover how to rework your best idea in minutes, taking it from Ho-Hum to Home Run as participant's pitches are transformed right before your eyes in a live demo by this Pro Pitch Doctor.
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Linda Cowgill (Rated a star speaker in 2003, 2005, 2006)
The Emotional Pattern of Plot Course Level: ADV
Course Description: The Emotional Pattern of Plot defines plot and illustrates that it is more than an outline of events; it's the ordering of emotions. With this understanding writers can bring to their work greater emotional depth and payoff and make a stronger connection with their audience. Learn how to add emotion and depth to your stories to make your screenplays more compelling.
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The Tools of Plotting & The Sequence of Story Course Level: ADV
Course Description: A successful plot depends on conflict and movement to build tension and momentum while at the same time it must expose character and motivation to create meaning. This seminar concentrates on tools that will help you design your story to increase emotional impact strengthen momentum deepen characterizations and clarify exposition.
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Common Plot Problems -- How to Recognize and Overcome Them Course Level: ADV
Course Description: While many writers seem to understand a screenplay's structural concepts they still don't grasp what makes a great script work on paper. As a result their own stories feel flat complicated yet at the same time underdeveloped. This seminar does just what the title says: points out common plotting problems and provides effective solutions for them.
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James Dalessandro (Rated a star speaker in 2006)
Loglines/Treatments/Pitches Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: THE IDEA -- STEP ONE in building a great screenplay. There is no more important skill to up and coming writers than the ability to catch the attention of executives and readers with a short intro to their work. Lew Hunter co-Dean of UCLA's graduate screen writing program calls seminar leader James Dalessandro one of the best pitch men he has ever seen. His pitch for his novel and screenplay 1906 resulted in an extensive Hollywood bidding war.
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Structure - all you need to know about the Three Act Structure Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: STAGE TWO -- THE ARCHITECTURE. Too many lecturers of screen writing try to over-intellectualize structure and turn it into some metaphysical/philosophical treatise. It is simply the foundation the architecture of a successful screenplay. Most structural elements should be worked out in the outlining stage with a simple goal in mind: to build ever-rising conflict through both the plot and subplots. Once those elements are strong and compelling it frees the screen writer to focus on great dialogue and character development.
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Scenes & Characters - The secret life of Screenplays Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: STAGE THREE -- THE VOICE. Structure is mathematical: the true creativity in American film lies in the strength of The Scene. If the paragraph is the building block of fiction the Scene is the heart of film. In this lecture James offers insights into writing memorable scenes characters and dialogue that appeal to talented actors and directors
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How the Big Dogs Do It Course Level: Master
Course Description: PART IV -- WATCHING FILM CLIPS FROM THE MASTERS. No monologues? No lengthy flashbacks? Protagonist/antagonist must come into conflict early? Main character must be likeable? In one of his most popular lectures novelist/screenwriter James Dalessandro will dig into the heart of some of recent cinema's most brilliant moments by showing film clips of Oscar-winning films that broke the traditional rules of screenwriting. 'Originality is the heart of greatness and flying by the rules never achieved greatness.' Lecture by James Dalessandro author/screenwriter of the best selling novel/Warner Brothers film '1906.
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The Big Picture - Tentpoles Course Level: Master
Course Description: THE BIG BUDGET BLOCKBUSER. Seminar is given by James Dalessandro best selling author and screenwriter of '1906' the epic tale of the great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. Researching and writing the tent-pole picture. Mixing fact and fiction is a tricky and challenging endeavor. Dalessandro will talk about finding the elements of an epic story how to blend fact and fiction what makes Hollywood want to write those big checks and how to survive the development process.
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Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof
LOST PANEL Course Level: ALL
Course Description:
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Producers and Development Panel
Producer's/Development Panel Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Learn what Producers and Development are looking for! Moderated by Script Sharks, Lee Zahavi
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Wendy Cutler and Devorah Cutler-Rubenstein
Using Improv Techniques for Comedy Writing Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Most successful comedy writers producers and performers began their careers as improvisers (Chevy Chase Robin Williams Lilly Tomlin). Improv helps writers think outside the box and helps you connect to a creative flow that supersedes your critic. Learn how to instantly short circuit writer's bloc and access authentic characters on the spot.
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Killer Loglines -- 30 Seconds to Cha-Ching Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Ellen Sandler and Devorah Cutler-Rubenstein will be teaching this class together. A sale often depends on getting that perfect logline for the marketplace. But how does one successfully reduce a screenplay novel true story or television series to one or two memorable sentences? This lively and interactive class will give you the necessary tools to craft that killer logline that'll help you snag the attention of that agent or buyer you've been courting.
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Kevin DiBacco
Making a Feature Film under $50 000 Course Level: BEG
Course Description: The majority of people will never get a studio deal for their first movie. "Making a movie for under $50,000" will show you how to produce your own motion picture as a commercial product. From hiring the crew to casting to tips on what production software you should buy. You can produce your own script and you don't need a million dollars to do it. Topics include Development of your script, Pre-production and hiring your crew, Production techniques that will make your film look like it cost 10 times as much. and Post Production tips that will help make your movie attractive for distributors. No sense waiting for someone else to make your movie, you can do it by knowing where to cut corners and what you should be using.
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Finding Distribution for your low budget film Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Filmmaking is and always will be a business.The way you package your materials for the market is as important if not more important than your script. You will learn the science to packaging your film to market as a Commercial product and not just another art film - from cutting an eye catching trailer, designing your movie poster, creating your cover letter, securing clearances and rights, designing your screener DVD label to what you should include in your screener DVD, what deliverables a distributor wants, what mailers to use and everything in between will be featured in this can't-be-missed information packed class!
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Madeline DiMaggio
How to Write for TV and Cable Movies Course Level: BEG
Course Description: The Tools of TV Writing -Restrictions of the Medium and How to Make them Work for You -The Hooks That Sell - Breaking in and the spec script
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Writing the TV Spec and What Makes it Sing Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Thoughts to Consider Before Writing -How to Create Riviting Characters -The Television Pilot - Writing Movies for TV and Cable -Adaptations and Collaborations
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Pamela Douglas
Writing the TV Drama Series Course Level: PRO
Course Description: TV is changing with new ways of telling stories and opportunities which didn't exist even a few years ago. Today pilots are viable as specs so writing tips on creating original series accompanies craft advice on writing episodes of existing hour-long shows. Clips of scenes from great shows will illustrate concepts including the long narrative character arcs and the interplay of closure and serial elements. Also feedback on a few pitches will demonstrate effective approaches to dramatic shows.
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Final Draft
Final Draft Presentation Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Learn what is new with Final Draft, Inc. and Final Draft software. Kirsten Thayer, Final Draft Product Manager, will be leading the presentation and will provide participants with a more in.depth look at some of the features to be included in version Eight. Additionally, she will share some helpful hints for getting started with your writing using Final Draft software. Plus, learn more about the Tagger application, which is included when you purchase and install the software. The Tagger app. allows you to break down the elements of your script quickly on your computer and then export the files to most scheduling programs. www.finaldraft.com.
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Brian Edgar
Writing the Period Dramas Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Yearning to write the next 'Braveheart'? This seminar will focus on what makes for a great period drama from the story idea to its realization on the screen. Examples of recent films (successful and not) will be used and Edgar will draw from his own experience writing a big period script.
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Twisted Worlds -- Writing the Thriller Course Level: ADV
Course Description: What makes for a great thriller? This seminar will explore the elements and craft of this unique genre. We will consider how and why good thrillers work tools for creating deeper levels of plot and character and finding that fresh twist in yours.
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Twisted Worlds: Writing the Thriller Course Level: ADV
Course Description: What makes for a great thriller? This seminar will explore the elements and craft of this unique genre. We will consider how and why good thrillers work tools for creating deeper levels of plot and character and finding that fresh twist in yours!
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Writing the Period Drama Course Level: ALL
Course Description: Yearning to write the next "Braveheart"? This seminar will focus on what makes for a great period drama, from the story idea to its realization on the screen. Examples of recent films (successful and not) will be used, and Edgar will draw from his own experience writing a big period script that is currently in development.
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Warrren Etheredge
WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Pretend for an hour that you're on the curating team for ABC Film Festival and two films came in.. The careers of these two depend you putting on the festival program. Sadly, you end up asking: What the hell were they thinking? Your colleagues want to support the project despite the slights of dialog logic and cinematic judgment. You'd rather die than submit an audience to this abomination. So it's up to you to convince your colleagues what's wrong with this picture! Longtime curator/critic Warren Etheredge goes deeper than the average rejection letter to help festival programmers choose films that won't send the audience into fits of boredom or nausea. He and participants will take a look at the first five minutes or so of brave filmmakers' offerings. Warren will then offer his (brutally honest) insights about what worked what didn't and how to convince the team to keep or 86 the DVD. All of this of course delivered with Warren's trademark wit and good will. Screenwriters whose optioned films have been rejected at festival and who are interested in baring souls or programmers with particularly potent bad submissions should sign up prior to the workshop bring the films and be in the audience for the dialogue.
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Spits and Giggles Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Can be scaled for beginning or advanced level. If dying is easy and Comedy's so hard why don't those who aspire to write it just commit suicide? It's a good question but given the nation's attitude towards euthanasia Warren Etheredge will instead accentuate the positives of living and laughing while encouraging others to do the same. Having recently completed filming his feature-length doc HUMOR ME Warren will share secrets he's gleaned from Comedy's finest minds. He'll also synthesize lessons learned from his own notorious career working the crowds in stand-up sketch improv theater and film.
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DO Make a Scene Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Can be scaled for beginning or advanced level. Structure and character provide the foundation for a good screenplay but you must still build beautifully upon the base. In ninety minutes Warren Etheredge explains and explores the craft of drafting a compelling scene — when to start how to exit what to say how to say it and how to ensure that conflict escalates as the plot evolves.
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Spiritually Uplifting Family Films and TV
Panel Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: According to numerous sources and recent research, family films are the most reliable source of income in the entertainment industry. But what does a family film look like in the 21st Century? Each year family and Christian-friendly box office grows exponentially making it the market within the entertainment industry. More and more companies are searching for projects that will resonant with the faith-based audience; an audience projected to be a whopping figure of more than 150 million people in the US alone. Find out how you can reach what is arguably the largest market in the entertainment industry. The panel will be moderated by the founder of MOVIEGUIDE: A family Guide to Movies, and the chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission ministry, Dr. Ted Baehr. He will be joined by at least one previous Epiphany Prize winner in addition to recognized experts in the theatrical, television and home entertainment worlds of family films. Learn how to find your audience with insightful pitching, promotional and marketing expertise. Meet the players and the prayers in the Hollywood Christian community.
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Syd Field
Setting Up Character & Story Course Level: ALL
Course Description: What's the best way to effectively set up your screenplay to grab the attention of your reader and audience? A screenplay is a reading experience before it becomes a visual experience. In today's market it is absolutely essential to set up and establish your story and characters from page one word one. Do you set it up with a character scene or an action sequence? In this session we'll examine the relationship between Story and Character by revealing some basic distinctions linking genres story lines and character development. In your screenplay do you know whether your character drives the action or does the action drive the character. Various clips from films like: Little Miss Sunshine; American Beauty; Mr and Mrs Smith; The Departed Rushmore and others illustrate some very different styles to set up story and character.
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Writing Effective Dialogue
Course Description: What's the purpose of dialogue? To explain reveal or declare dramatic elements of character and story? To move the story forward? What if your dialogue is too 'right on the nose ' 'to direct ' or your characters seem to sound the same? What can you do about it? That's what Writing Effective Dialogue is all about. Sharpening dialogue. This course examines the basic principles and effective purpose of dialogue. Illustrating different types of dialogue and their function with movie clips from award winning films like: Juno Mr and Mrs. Smith Little Miss Sunshine The Bucket List American Beauty The Shawshank Redemption and others Writing Effective Dialogue allows you to find the tools that sharpen your story and illuminate your characters simply and effectively. ",",",ALL"
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Robert Flaxman (Rated a star speaker in 2004, 2005)
Seducing the Studio Reader Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Learn the multiple techniques that will keep the reader in your 'created reality' throughout your script. Study the most common mistakes made by professional and advanced screenwriters.
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Katherine Fugate
Crossing Mediums Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Katherine Fugate will show you how to make the crossover from Film to Television or from Television to Film
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William Goldman
Interview
Course Description: The always-lively, popular interview with the dean of American screenwriting
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Gary Goldstein
Scaling the Great Wall of Hollywood Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Career tactics to accelerate transforming your passion into profit massively expand your network and resources create powerful allies and master the 'business' of your creative career. Time will be allotted to interact and have your questions answered.
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Paul Joseph Gulino (Rated a star speaker in 2004, 2006)
Sequences -- The Hidden Structure of Successful Screenplays Course Level: ADV
Course Description: The great challenge in writing a feature-length screenplay is sustaining audience emotional involvement from page one through page 120. This seminar will explore an often-overlooked tool that can help: a screenplay can be built of sequences of about fifteen pages each. By focusing on solving the dramatic aspects of each sequence a writer can more easily conquer the script as a whole.
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Joel Haber (Rated a star speaker in 2005, 2006)
Effective Use of Flashbacks and Voiceovers Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Flashbacks and voiceovers are much-maligned storytelling devices and there are few ways to make your script look more amateurish than through their misuse. However when used effectively they can go a long way to creating a mood building suspense surprising the audience or simply telling your story in a unique way. Professional screenwriter and script analyst Joel Haber highlights ways these tools can be used to positive effect using excerpts from well known films as illustration.
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Writing in a Web 2.0 World Course Level: BEG
Course Description: The Web is the future of visual entertainment and any screenwriter starting out today needs to embrace the new opportunities in digital media. This seminar explores ways to market yourself and make money via web series ARGs social networking sites blogs podcasting and more.
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Heather Hale (Rated a star speaker in 2006)
Power Networking -- The Secret Hollywood Code Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Let Heather Hale a veteran Hollywood insider shift your perception of networking to empower you to produce your own career. From first impressions to figuring out the lay of the land learn how to mind map your web of relationships diversify your sphere of influence and expand your constellations of connections. Use Madison Avenue secrets to market yourself and eliminate a few of the middle men or unnecessary wasted steps in the infamous six degrees of separation between you and your hit list of buyers employers mentors – even attachments. They don't call it Show ART for a reason. Learn the business of the business. Perhaps more so than anyone else in Hollywood writers need to develop and hone these underutilized skills with as much respect as they give their beloved craft.
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Navigating Hollywood Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Learn how to survive the gauntlet of obstacles on the journey a film or television project makes from conception through development financing and packaging to distribution and marketing. During this entertaining tell it like it is seminar you'll learn: why there are 4 400 production companies but only 15 real buyers who the main players are how to get your project into their hands how to turn them into champions of your work how to move your projects up various simultaneous ladders and how Hollywood studios strive for blockbusters at the risk of bombs and why. Learn where the indie niche opportunities are where No Man's Land is in terms of film budgets and what network and cable companies are looking for.
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PowerNetworking From Afar Course Level: BEG-ADV
Course Description: Learn how to use all the PowerNetworking tools and from anywhere. Discover all the great resources available to you on the Internet in trade papers industry magazines with your local Film Commissions organizations and events to get you beeping on the Hollywood radar – and pinging your web of relationships. Learn secrets of making it in Hollywood without leaving your safety net tips and tricks for breaking in if you are willing (or planning) to move – and exit strategies if you can't wait to get back home.
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Power Networking -- Making the Connections Course Level: PRO
Course Description: Take what you've learned in the other PowerNetworking classes a step further and apply those resourceful research techniques and performance strategies to track down A-List celebrities high profile authors or athletes or other Pie-in-the-Sky dream attachments investors or mentors. Take it all to the next level – learn how to follow-up – when where why – and how. Get on the Hollywood radar and learn how to effectively ping your web of relationships.
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Breaking Down the Beat Outline Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Have fun learning how to think your story through on paper (and brainstorm collaboratively with a team) using 3 x 5 cards and butcher block paper. Learn interesting mind mapping character development and story structure techniques. Learn the finite differences – and the overlap – between genres. Find your tone. Honor your voice. Figure out your style. Leave the class with a whole new set of tools to replicate this process over and over at home on each new project.
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Non-Linear Storytelling Course Level: ADV
Course Description: When does a non-linear story structure serve your project? And when does it distract? How to decide when the emotional tract of the story is best served by mixing up the chronological timeline in order to unfolding the sequence in a more intriguing way. Scenes and scripts pages of popular and classic films that do it well will be analyzed.
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Fran Harris
Screenwriting For Newbies -- The ABCs of Writing A Script Course Level: BEG
Course Description: Learn the basics of writing a screenplay - format structure characters dialogue story
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Michael Hauge (Rated a star speaker in 2006)
Sell your Story in 60 Seconds Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Whether at Expo Pitch Meetings or on the telephone screenwriters and filmmakers repeatedly face the challenge of having only a minute or two to convince the people in power to read their screenplays. This hands-on workshop will explore the key story components that will guarantee success and will give selected participants direct feedback on their story concepts and pitches.
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Writing Romantic Comedies and Love Stories Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Love stories heighten both the emotional appeal and the commercial potential of your screenplay and provide you with a powerful tool for revealing inner conflict character growth and theme. Using the most successful romantic comedies and love stories of the last decade as examples this seminar will reveal the essential principles of writing believable entertaining and emotionally fulfilling romantic relationships.
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Creating Powerful Movie Scenes Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: Good scenes are like great movies in miniature: they draw the reader into a unique reality; create empathy and identification with the characters; reveal compelling desires and insurmountable conflicts; contribute to character growth and theme; provide a blueprint for direction and performance; and elicit bigger-than-life emotions. Using examples from a variety of recent successful films this seminar will reveal the elements of action description and dialogue that will ensure the overall success of your screenplay.
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Grabbing the Reader in the First 10 pages Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: The opening of your screenplay is your single most powerful weapon for acquiring an agent or securing a deal. Most Hollywood executives won't read past page 10 if they're not immediately involved in your story but will forgive an abundance of weaknesses later in the script if you grab them from the moment they begin. Using examples from several Oscar-nominated screenplays this seminar will show you how to insure that your opening scenes draw readers into the world you've created set the tone of your screenplay establish empathy with your hero lay the groundwork for character growth and theme and compel readers to turn the page. Michael also gives selected participants direct feedback on their opening scenes which you can read directly on the screen as you hear his commentary and suggestions.
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The Hero's 2 Journeys -- Mastering Story Structure and Character Arc Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: In every successful screenplay the Hero takes two intertwined journeys one of achievement and the other of transformation. As your characters pursue clear visible objectives they must also confront their deeper fears and desires in order to find true fulfillment. This presentation will provide a unique understanding of the ways plot structure and character arc are united and intertwined and provide the tools to create deeper more compelling and more commercial stories and characters by exploring your hero's wounds longings identities and destinies.
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Anatomy of a Screenplay - Lars and the Real Girl Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: After a weekend filled with dozens of writers teachers and consultants revealing the principles of successful screenwriting this unique workshop offers a detailed examination of one of the best Hollywood screenplays of the last twenty years:Lars and The Real Girl. Hauge will show how this Oscar-winning screenplay provides a perfect model for mastering plot structure love stories dialogue character development and deep universal themes.
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Marshall Herskovitz
Interview Course Level: ALL lLevels
Course Description:
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Brian Herskowitz
Crafting the Outline for Your Feature Film Course Level: ADV
Course Description: If you've ever found yourself stuck halfway through a great script or blocked because you don't know what to do next then this lecture is for you. How character leads to choices. How to maximize conflict. The 12 GUIDEPOSTS to your screenplay and a host of over tools will be discussed.
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Alex Holdridge
Interview
Course Description: His car flipped over scattering his belongings on his way to Los Angeles to persuade a studio to pick up his indie flick 'Wrong Number.' His girlfriend left him. A bicyclist stole his laptop right out of his sister's baby carriage as they walked. The movie didn't get picked up. And all that ended up as background and/or content in the charming ultra-low-budget romantic comedy 'In Search of a Midnight Kiss.' This is a young writer-director who clearly knows how to take lemons and make lemonade. See our interview in the Nov.-Dec. issue of Creative Screenwriting.
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Marilyn Horowitz
How To Write A Screenplay in 10 weeks -- a 90 minute crash course Course Level: ALL Levels
Course Description: In order to make a great film you need a great screenplay. Marilyn will show you how to write one fast. Learn the revolutionary writing system that has allowed writers to write better faster. The Horowitz System™ has been taught at New York University for over 10 years and 90% of students who use the method succeed. The method enhances and supports the craft and skill a student already has and lets students take their work to the next level. In this 90- minute seminar students will learn: How to get from concept to outline quickly by using the Premise-Question, How to structure plot better by using The Mythic Journey Map, How to create living characters using a series of Character Exerecises
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How to create an imaginary life for your characters Course Level: BEG-ADV
Course Description: This seminar will help you visualize your characters in a personal experiential way because you will use yourself as a reference point. By exposing yourself to certain information you can gauge your own responses and then compare them to those of your characters eliciting the story through their behavior rather than making it up.
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How to determine your premise question Course Level: BEG-ADV
Course Description: By turning the premise statement into a question your writing will be compelling because you are exploring a question rather than proving a point. A new screenplay is best built from a question forward with correctly motivated characters so the plot rises from conflict to crisis with ease.
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How to re-examine your main character Course Level: BEG-ADV
Course Description: The goal of this seminar is to understand why your hero or heroine is the only character who can star in your script. By connecting the plot's Premise-Question with your character's goal can you build the rock-solid foundation needed for a strong first draft.
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Coleman Hough
Humanizing The Antagonist Course Level: ADV
Course Description: We meet the antagonist over and over in our own lives naturally avoiding their company. This is for writers having a hard time developing a believable villain.
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Inspiration and the Internet Course Level: ADV
Course Description: Explore the riches of the internet and never have writer's block again.
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