Creating a Short Film: 02 Writing
Release date:2016, May 5
Duration:03 h 17 m
Author:Chad Perkins
Skill level:Beginner
Language:English
Exercise files:Yes
Creating a Short Film is a 13-part training series that shows the actual struggles and challenges filmmakers have to overcome to get films made. Author Chad Perkins and his team made a short film, The Assurance, and documented the process: from writing and directing to editing and screening the film. In this installment, Chad covers the basics of writing a great script—turning your ideas into cinematic gold. Learn the fundamentals of storytelling: believable characters that develop over the course of the film, engaging conflict, and strong story structure. Find resources to inspire your next idea and the screenwriting software that will help you format your script. Learn the specifics of writing a fantasy film, and watch as Chad and his team write, polish, and rewrite their script over the course of production—making the hard choices to abandon some great moments to make a better movie.
Make sure to watch the first installment to learn about the background of the project and to get an overview of the role of the producer. Watch the follow-up episodes to learn more about pre-production, directing, working with actors, editing and visual effects, and everything else that goes into filmmaking. This is a one-of-a-kind educational experience you won’t find anywhere else.
Topics include:
Finding your story
Building a character arc
Identifying story beats
Borrowing from archetypes
Writing a fantasy film
Using screenwriting software such as Final Draft and Adobe Story
Polishing the script
Understanding screenplay formatting
Welcome
Welcome to this series
The importance of the script
Previewing our short film
1. Story Basics
Plot vs. character-driven stories
What is a story?
Making a strong protagonist
Having a character arc
Creating a logline
Using a three-act structure
Identifying story beat
The importance of conflict
Writing the truth 3m 48s Showing, not telling
2. Getting Ideas
Where can you get ideas for stories?
Being inspired by resources
Borrowing from archetypes
3. Creating a Fantasy World
About genre conventions
Creating backstories and mythologies
Inventing new linguistic rules
Using supernatural forces
About exposition and narration
Studying Hollywood prologue
Understanding the cost of what you write
4. Writing the Story
Examining our original story
Setting up calls and responses
Creating shadow characters
Why omit the final battle scene?
Exploring the theme
Writing a pickup scene
5. Writing the Screenplay
Understanding screenplay formatting/a>
Using Final Draft
Using Adobe Story
Writing with a partner
About writing credits
6. Improving the Script
About the polishing phase
Recruiting script reviewers
Seeing from an audience’s point of view
Ensuring everything matters
Using subtext
Adding more humanity
Contrasting beginnings and endings
Creating a “mystery box”
When is the script done?
7. Rewriting the Script
Why was a rewrite necessary?
Examining the new beats
Repurposing existing shots
Enhancing conflict
Throwing away the best parts
Conclusion
Evaluating our script
My favorite screenwriting resources
Previewing the next course
Final thoughts
Episode 52
Channel
Hello good sirs, could you please get more skillshare courses on creative writing? that would be so appreciated