Film & Media Studies 240 - Screenwriting

(Offered as ENGL 388 and FAMS 240.)  A first workshop in narrative screenwriting.  Through frequent exercises, readings and screenings we will explore the fundamentals of scene and story shape as they’re practiced in mainstream American commercial filmmaking while taking a broader look at what a screenplay might be outside of that world.  We’ll look at two modes of writing that are often at odds with each other:  the well-established craft of three-act screenwriting within the Hollywood tradition, on the one hand, and the more elastic possibilities of the audio-visual medium as exemplified by the so-called “art film,” on the other.  One three-hour class meeting per week.

Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.  Preference will be given to English and FAMS majors.  Admission with consent of the instructor.  Limited to 12 students.  Please complete the questionnaire at https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/departments/film/infostu/forms.  Fall semester.  Visiting Lecturer Johnson.