Art of the Pitch
GH166 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Hollywood Business Practices & History
A course for producers, writers, and directors, “Art of the Pitch” instructs students how to encapsulate their ideas into saleable concepts, present those ideas, and communicate with the writers and others who become involved in bringing these ideas to fruition. The course features guest speakers from the executive ranks of the industry, as well as producers, agents, attorneys, and others, with the instructor being both the constant guide for the students as well as moderator.
“Based On”: Writing the Adaptation
F280 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Screenwriting 1
Sixty-five percent of all films today are adapted from non-original sources – from novels and short stories to true-life events and magazine articles. But adaptation is a skill that is rarely taught, and requires some specific rules and mastery of certain skills. In this class, students will pitch, outline and adapt two major adapted screenplay projects, as well as weekly in-class writing exercises.
Comedy Improvisation
GH326 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Introduction to Acting
Using techniques and theater games devised from sources such as Viola Spolin to The Groundlings, the student learns the challenges of improvisational acting and its uses not just for the performer, but for all those who wish to spark their creative process and learn to think quickly on their feet in the performance setting, or as writers or directors.
Creative Writing That Sells
GH301a (4 units)
Prerequisite: Writers Workshop 1
Students develop their creative talents in various self-chosen forms of writing including poetry, drama, short-form and long-form fiction. This course also incorporates kinds of non-fiction writing requiring creative application of the individual’s interests and abilities. Students are required to produce writing on a weekly basis, participate in workshops, and complete a written term project.
Development: From Acquisition to Green Light
F341 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Script Analysis 1
Through the use of writing and reviewing coverage, the steps of identifying a literary property for potential visual exploitation, the learning what a “buyer” at a studio seeks, students are immersed in the development process from inception of idea to getting that coveted go-ahead that starts real pre-production.
Feature Film Writing Symposium
F352(a/b/c) (4 units)
Prerequisite: Screenwriting 2
This is a three-quarter continuing class for advanced writing students who learn to work in a collaborative environment with a lot of personal attention and, especially, accountability for meeting deadlines. During the three quarters of class, students will develop, write, rewrite, rewrite yet again, and polish a full-length feature film script. Students will be required at the beginning of each quarter to sign a “contract” with their goals and deadlines for the class, as well as a detailed plan as to how they will reach their goals. In addition, there will be a production element to the course in the third quarter, where students will experience their work being produced.
Hollywood Business Practices & History
GH253 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Sophomore Status Preferred
An in-depth look at how the Hollywood system works, and how the student can succeed within that system. The course offers not just a detailed explanation of the current model, but uses Hollywood history to explain how the business model has changed and how it remains as it was. Towards that end, the course follows three tracks: 1) a valuable practicum of how the film and television businesses work; 2) the actual history of the motion picture and television businesses, its players, system and highlights; 3) the physical history of Hollywood through lectures and a Saturday or Sunday tour of Hollywood landmarks. Students will emerge from the class able to ferret their way through the Hollywood business maze.
Navigating New Media: Professional Paths & Possibilities
F315 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Tier 1
Use your skills beyond working on movies and television. The technological breakthrough of the 21st century has brought with it many viable opportunities for employment. Find out how to take advantage of opportunities in fields such as internet spots, commercials, Podcasts, electronic press kits, DVD supplements, and more.
Properties That Sell: Writing Coverage
F252 (4 units)
Prerequisites: Hollywood Business Practices & History, Script Analysis 1, & Writers Workshop 1
Regardless of the student’s concentration, everyone will be expected to write coverage for his or her first industry job. Veteran industry professionals teach students what scripts are sellable or not, how to write coverage on them, and get recognition for it. Additional focus is placed on grammar, appealing to various tastes, and getting the internship.
Rewriting: Punching Up Your Screenplay
F451 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Screenwriting 2
Dust off your original short or feature film script and under the expert eye of the instructor, you’ll rework it until it is where you want it to be – and need it to be to sell. Learn tips about the overall process of rewriting, too. You can work on a script you have written on your own or in a class in a previous quarter (though not scripts you are currently working on in any other class.)
Screenwriting 1
F150 (4 units)
Prerequisite: None
The exercises in this course develop skills in shaping plot, structure, and character and descriptive writing, while teaching efficiency and perseverance in the writing process itself. Students learn basic script format, write several short scripts, and draft a feature.
Screenwriting 2: Characters
F255 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Screenwriting 1
Creating believable characters is essential to good screenwriting. Through exercises and writing a script, students will delve deeply into understanding that the stronger a character, the stronger the dialogue that emanates from that character.
Screenwriting 3: Genres
F250 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Screenwriting 2
This is an intensive (but fun) writing workshop where students will expand their repertoire and stretch their writing muscles by writing in genres that may be outside their comfort zones, including action/adventure, comedy, gangster, drama, historical epics, horror, musicals, mysteries, westerns, romance, sci-fi, thrillers, suspense, fantasy, noir and cult 16mms. By the end of the course, each student will have to have written four short films in four different genres, as well as weekly in-class writing exercises written in the style and form of a different genre.
Script Analysis 2
GH255 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Script Analysis 1
The methods of Script Analysis I are put to work in a rigorous and practical way. Several scripts are analyzed in a variety of genres. The student examines—separately—the original script and the finished film, comparing his/her own analysis and dramatic plans with those of the actual filmmaker.
Script Analysis 3
GH355 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Script Analysis 2, Junior Standing
Taught collegially by several faculty members, the course combines advanced script analysis with the student’s area of film specialization. A directing student, for instance, analyzes the script to direct it, working with the Script Analysis instructor and a Directing instructor. The student creates a detailed plan for realizing the script and compares it with the actual film.
Sketch Comedy Writing
F253 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Screenwriting 1
One of the fastest ways to break into the writing business is through sketch writing. This hands-on course puts students through the paces of creating and executing dynamic sketches as if you were in the writer’s room at “Saturday Night Live.”
TV Comedy Writing
F251 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Screenwriting 1
Sitcoms are less frequent on TV but are still a viable genre, while sketch comedy is making a comeback and comedy animation is king. Students in this class will learn the form and craft of all three. With weekly in-class and at-home writing assignments, students will turn in three comedy scripts of varying lengths throughout the course.
TV Drama Writing
V319 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Screenwriting 1
Students will learn how to write for both dramatic series and dramatic long form such as TV movies. They write an episode of an existing series as well as “pitching” ideas and writing treatments for pilots for new series. In addition, a portion of the course will be given over to understanding and learning to write the “seven-act” structure of the television movie.
Writing for Animation
F354 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Screenwriting 1
Writing for animated TV programs, features and other media has different rigors and aesthetic demands than writing for live action. This course will be an introduction to this genre of writing, and also explore how to develop and sell an animated TV show.
Writing the Short Film for Production
F250 (4 units)
Prerequisite: Screenwriting 1
This class is designed for students to develop and write at least two short film scripts in preparation for shooting in other classes – such as Production Workshop or Directing 3. During the process of developing and writing the short film script there is much emphasis placed on the production elements of the script. In other words, students are writing scripts with realistic locations, budgets and visual elements. This class also stresses character development and advanced story structure.
