Beginners Script Writing Course Limerick

Six sessions starting Saturday Nov 6thto Dec 11th 10.30am to 12.30pm devoted to exploring the ins and outs of scriptwriting, geared towards those with little or no previous experience in the field. Priority is placed on taking the fear out of writing a script by giving the student the tools to develop their talent. This will create a context in which the participants can develop their own project over the duration of the course.

The course will entail an introduction to the craft of screenwriting - developing character, writing the individual scene, dialogue, structure, format, rewriting techniques and writing treatments.

Facilitor for the six weeks is Eleanor McSherry

Places must be paid for in advance. Course fee €130.00 concession €120.00

Booking essential contact Dominic 087 2996409 or email limerickwriterscentre@gmail.com for further details.

Week One: Story

What is story?

• Group discussion of favourite films and why the class like them.
• What are the questions that need to be answered when writing a script?
• Keeping of a 'script' notebook.
• Exercise: write four lines of a script idea and to look at films in a critical way. 

Week Two: Terminology

• Terminology - Treatment, sequence, character, act, plot points, the scene, narrative, genre, plot, pitching, agents, adaption, action, log line, dialogue etc.
• What does a script look like? Recommended free scriptwriting programs online.
• What is the difference between a shooting script and the script you submit?
• Exercise: expand on the script idea to three pages 

Week Three: Story Structure

• Story Structure - the three act play
• Elements of story - how to put together your story!
• What is the subject - what is your story about?
• How to pull your story together?
• Practical problems.
• Exercise: now flesh out the story into three acts. 

Week Four: Character

• Character Development
• Group discuss on what people already have decided who their characters are etc.
• Building your character - create back story for your characters
• Character arc, importance of character in the narrative, etc.
• Exercise: create a back story for all your characters 

Week Five: Finishing Touches

• Endings and beginnings
• Principals of story design
• Exercise: writing the short script 

Week Six: How to sell or market your script?

• Discuss problems - don't be afraid of re-writing
• Pitching
• The treatment
• Industry Know-how - agents, competitions, contracts, professional bodies
• Further recommended reading and a couple of recommended films to watch. 

(The course is group discussion driven and all the exercises are started in class but continued at home. The aim is to make the writer an active participant in being able to criticise others, to gain insight and thus be able to be an effective critic of their own work. The one day a week is to facilitate time to write.)