STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 1. Complete final polishes on scripts written in screenwriting program.

 2. Research screenwriting competitions, film festivals, agents and production entities that accept unsolicited submissions.

 3. Demonstrate advanced principles of screenwriting including, but not limited to: plot, character, dialogue, dramatic tension, scene construction, subtext and structure.

 4. Demonstrate superior command of writing techniques (including grammar, syntax, spelling and style.)

 5. Show how to submit screenplays to contests and film festivals.

 6. Demonstrate working knowledge of the business of professional screenwriting.

 7. Demonstrate critical thinking, aesthetic perception and written communication skills to identify strengths and weaknesses in the works of others and to synthesize these analytical techniques into self-reflection and evaluation of their own works.

 8. Show how to craft, write and send query letters to production companies and agencies.

 9. Develop, hone and practice script pitch.

 10. Demonstrate understanding of the script development process.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Polishing Feature Scripts

 A.  With major rewrites complete, scripts go through the final polish process.

 B.  Scripts are edited to hit structural beats.

 C.  Final passes to remove any formatting, grammatical and spelling errors.

 D.  Scripts are brought to professional standards and readied for marketplace.

 

 II.     Researching Script Market

 A.  Screenwriting competitions are investigated to find the best fit for writers and scripts.

 B.  Identify and research production companies that accept scripts similar to the screenplay the student has written.

  C.  Identify and research agencies that accept unsolicited material.

 

 III.    Sending the Scripts Out

  A.  Students target specific contests, agents and production companies.

  B.  Draft query letters.

  C.  Submit script to contests.

  D.  Write query letters.

  E.  Send queries.

 

 IV.     Business of Screenwriting

  A.  Explore different career paths for screenwriters.

  B.   Working with the Writer’s Guild

  1.  WGA Minimum Basic Agreement

  2.  Credits and arbitration.

  C.  Negotiating your first contract.

  1.  Agents, managers and entertainment lawyers.

  D.  The Art of Pitching.

  1.  Write and rehearse pitch.

  2.  Pitch project.

  E.  The Studio Development Process

  1.  Working with producers.

  2.  Step deals.

  3.  Turnaround and Other Outcomes.

  4.  Reserved Rights.

  5.  Options, Purchase and Producer Attachment Agreements.

  6.  Dealing with Removal from a Project.

 

  F.  Screenwriting as a Career.

  1.  Long-term outlooks.

  2.  Identifying genre specialties.