Script Writing from the Inside Out: Writing Stories for Stage and Screen

“Writing plays and screenplays is a form of storytelling that merges poetry and engineering,” says instructor Jessica Litwak. “We create poetry with the specific impediments, accents, rhythms, and cadences in the voices of our characters. We engineer our stories with structural foundations, dramatic arcs, scenes.”

In this fun and generative class, each student will receive a toolbox of skills for writing plays and screenplays. In-class writes and assignments between classes will cover tools such as scene development, dialogue, and story structure. Students will be invited to participate in some partner work between classes for support on homework as well as for additional processing and discussing of in-class lessons.

Jessica says, “Throughout the five weeks, we will read and analyze segments of various scripts based on three elements of script writing: People (Character), Plot (Story), and Poetry (Dialogue). In a safe and nurturing environment, we will share our own works-in-progress and learn a technique for offering supportive feedback on classmates' scripts.”

“Everyone will leave this class with new tools: tools for character development; tools for story structure; and tools for creating authentic, character-based dialogue.”

About The Writing Salon's Remote Classes

Due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, The Writing Salon is running all classes in a remote learning format. You will be able to participate in live class meetings via Zoom videoconference. To attend classes, you'll need a phone, tablet or computer and access to the internet. You can participate in the class from wherever you'd like, whether on your living room couch or in your office. Before your class meets, you'll receive an email from The Writing Salon with more information about Zoom and your remote class. If you have any questions about remote learning, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at hello@writingsalons.com.