Short Courses
The Art of Screenwriting (Online)
10 weeks / Tuesday / 1 evening per week / 7 - 9 pm
The perfect introduction for anyone who wants to get into screenwriting but doesn't know where to start!
Overview
This introductory course is ideal for any student looking to improve their screenwriting skills, focusing on the various forms, ideas and craft of screenwriting. Students are encouraged to think critically about screenplay writing through exercises and discussion in order to get an understanding of creating visual, cinematic pieces of work.
We'll look at emblematic scenes and styles with examples from classic cinema from around the world to help you understand the universal tenets of script writing. The course will cover the following:
- Writing for pictures - show not tell.
- Character, character, character (want and need) - Antagonist vs. protagonist
- The world of the story - the ‘shape’ of your script
- Story structures (not just three-act but episodic and alternative structures)
- Theme(s)
- Tone vs. style
- Atmosphere vs. plot
- How to create humour and tension through dramatic irony and suspense
- Set up and the catalyst: the importance of the ‘hook’
- Conflict and resolution
- Dialogue vs. exposition
- Tricks of the trade to keep your reader fully engaged
And one of the most underrated aspects of a good script…
- Rhythm (A.K.A pacing)
ABOUT THE TUTOR
David Evans is a writer, director, producer and BAFTA-winning scriptwriter. He was one of the lead writers on the long-running ITV drama series, Nuts and Bolts (best regional drama - Royal Television Society). His garlanded documentary film Pretty Village took a poetic approach to the subject of returnees rebuilding their lives in the shadow of the Bosnian War and has been seen all over the world, including on TG4. His script for the autobiographical movie, My Grandfather, The Spy is currently in post-production.
Recently, he has worked as a script consultant and producer on Czech film, Pongo Calling, currently on theatrical release in Central Europe. This summer he has been working on financing his co-scripted Czech film, Sperminator.
Dave has taught at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and Cardiff University.
Read about The Lir Academy Tutors here.
Please note: This course is online. Our short courses are non-refundable and there is no cooling-off period.
Terms & Conditions click to
click to
Online Terms and Conditions click to
In the case of courses held over Zoom, the following terms and conditions apply:
∙ Participants must ensure they are taking the class in a private area with no uninvited guests
∙ Participants must ensure that their working area is clear and safe to move around in during the class.
∙ Participants are required to manage their technology during a class so that they do not interrupt or distract from the teaching of the class. If you are not using your phone for connectivity purposes it should be switched off.
∙ Participants are strictly forbidden from photographing, recording or videoing any on-line classes or performances at The Lir and from sharing any such recordings online on any forum.
∙ Should participants attempt to record the classes in any form they will be
withdrawn from the course.
