The Everything You Need to Know About Screenwriting Seminar Series Toronto Edition

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Screenplays are not works of art. They are invitations to others to collaborate on a work of art.

– Paul Schrader

Designed for both new writers and seasoned writers new to screenwriting, The Everything You Need to Know About Screenwriting Seminar Series Toronto Edition provides writers with all the essential building blocks, craft, tools, and instruction you need to write your first screenplay.

January 29 – March 25, 2020
9 weeks
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. EST
Location: The Workaround (Woodbine/Danforth), Toronto

*Interested in the online version instead? Click HERE.

The Seminar Series is broken into seminars as follows:

Getting Visual (Screenplay 101) – 3 sessions
Screenplay Story Structure Part 1 – 1 session
Scene & Sequence Construction – 1 session
Conflict is Character – 1 session
Conflict, Momentum, and Story Pacing – 1 session
Outlines and Beat Sheets – 1 session
Writing a short script- 1 session

Learn how to structure and format a screenplay, what “visual storytelling” is, manipulate time and manage pacing for the screen, and get the fundamentals of story structure, building conflict, and character design.

All sessions are delivered live via video conference and through conversation in our secure online classroom.

The seminars will use a combination of lectures, film/television clips, short exercises, and access to professional screenplays to further develop your screenwriting familiarity and skill.

Writers who take the full series will finish with a completed short screenplay and a stable of new visual storytelling skills.

(Yes, that’s right. A completed screenplay).

Here are a few things you can expect to learn:

Script format and software
How to read a script and how other departments read a script
Basics of writing each component (slug lines, action, dialogue, transitions, etc.)
How to tell a visual story
Basic story structure
Time in screenwriting (playing time vs. story time)
Conflict and pacing
Character design
Getting from writing to rewriting

The online seminar series is fully interactive and takes place via live video conference (which is recorded, so you can watch it on replay), and there is ample opportunity to share work, talk through and practice craft issues, and ask questions about the genre.

Assignments, readings, and video clips will guide you on your screenplay writing journey. In the end, you will not only have a short finished script but have the opportunity to create a revision plan to guide you on your next steps.

Details

[ezcol_1quarter]Dates & Times:[/ezcol_1quarter] [ezcol_3quarter_end]Wednesdays, Jan. 29- March 25, 2020 @ 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. EST[/ezcol_3quarter_end]

[ezcol_1quarter]Length:[/ezcol_1quarter] [ezcol_3quarter_end] 9 weeks; each meeting 2 hours[/ezcol_3quarter_end]

[ezcol_1quarter]Where:[/ezcol_1quarter] [ezcol_3quarter_end]The Workaround (Danforth/Woodbine) [/ezcol_3quarter_end]

[ezcol_1quarter]Format:[/ezcol_1quarter] [ezcol_3quarter_end]Group lecture, conversation, readings, and homework assignments[/ezcol_3quarter_end]

[ezcol_1quarter]Instructor:[/ezcol_1quarter] [ezcol_3quarter_end]Rebecca Hales[/ezcol_3quarter_end]

FAQ

What is the Seminar Series format?

The Toronto Edition Screenwriting class will meet for two hours a week to engage with Rebecca’s lecture and talk about the various craft, theory, and production elements in screenplay writing. All materials will be provided including assignment details.

Not in Toronto and would like to take part in the online version? Click HERE for info!

How the Toronto Seminar Series Works

After enrolling, you will receive an email with information about the seminar series. A few days before the first seminar is to begin, you will receive any other pertinent information including the location address, parking, directions, and other details.
All participants will also have 24/7 access to a secure online classroom in order to download materials, have further conversation, and share resources. Additionally, all writers will be invited to the One Lit Place Writers Lounge to have unlimited chat to fellow writers of all genres and levels from around the world.