Class Description
This workshop-based class emphasizes studio practice and group discussion. Start your screenwriting journey by gaining an understanding of the fundamental elements of the screenplay, as well as the writing, revising, and workshopping process.
Through close reading of a professional screenplay, develop an understanding of the different craft components that go into writing a successful screenplay. We will collectively build working definitions for important elements of the writing craft, which you will then take with you into developing an idea, writing a draft, and providing feedback for classmates’ work. Art is subjective, and the class structure makes space for you to take ownership of your own journey.
Fred Pelzer is a writer for screen, stage, and prose. His short story collection, Static, was published by Etchings Press. His plays have seen stage productions in Chicago and Pittsburgh, and he has worked as a script consultant and screenplay contest reader.
Materials List
Required
Participants should select and download one of the following screenwriting software programs. The below options have been hand-picked by the instructor because they produce good-looking scripts—it’s up to you to decide which is the best fit for your needs:
- Final Draft (Paid license, the industry standard)
- Fade In (Free, watermarked)
- Highland (Free, watermarked, Mac-only)
- WriterDuet (Free, 3 scripts at a time)
- Arc Studio Pro (Free, 2 scripts at a time)
- WriterSolo (Free)
First Reading
Cost and Registration
6 Sessions, $270 ($243 for Newberry members, seniors, and students). Learn about becoming a member.
We now offer our classes at three different price options: Regular ($270), Community Supported ($255), and Sponsor ($285). Following the models of other institutions, we want to ensure that our classes are accessible to a wider audience while continuing to support our instructors. You may choose the price that best fits your situation when registering through Learning Stream.
To register multiple people for this class, please go through the course calendar in Learning Stream, our registration platform. When you select the course and register, you’ll be prompted to add another registrant.
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