Film Studies 285 - SCREENWRITING: PRSNL STORY

This class explores modes of screenwriting that give weight to cinematic elements usually ignored by orthodox screenplay form. We treat the pictorial and audio-visual as content rather than mere style, and we explore ways to write the visual in addition to dialogue. Throughout the class, the emphasis for student writing is on personal content and human-scaled stories rather than historical film genres. Weekly writing exercises includes both original content and scenes for established characters in finished films or TV shows. There are also specific technical exercises built on structural film elements like time-lapse, etc. A first workshop in narrative screenwriting. Weekly short writing assignments and in-class workshops of student scenes. Longer final project. Prerequisite: FLS 150 Introduction to Film Studies (may also be taken concurrently). Enrollment limit 12. Instructor permission required. Please complete the questionnaire at www.smith.edu/filmstudies/courses_apply.php.(E)

Instructor permission.