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Screenwriting: The Art of the First Draft

 

Screenwriting: The Art of the First Draft

 

Class Description


The most overwhelming, yet critical step for the screenwriter is the first draft. Staring at a blank sheet of paper can induce "writers block" faster than any other challenge facing a screenwriter. Screenwriting: The Art of the First Draft will equip you with a roadmap for tackling your initial draft and guide you to the next steps on the scriptwriting journey. 

In this class, Hal Ackerman will teach you how to jumpstart the writing process and complete a written first draft of your screenplay. You’ll learn how to:
  • Organize your ideas into scenes and acts
  • Approach character development and dialogue
  • Take next steps after the first draft is complete
Hal has been teaching screenwriting to students at UCLA since 1985. He has sold material to all the broadcast networks and authored well-known books on the art of screenplay writing and selling In this class, he’ll offer actionable insights on developing your concepts and turning your ideas into a compelling and complete script.

Screenwriting: The Art of the First Draft is your opportunity to learn how to conquer one of screenwriting’s greatest challenges and get your ideas developed and down on paper. 

Check out our complete collection of filmmaking classes here. 

Lessons

  1. Why Focus on the First Draft?
  2. Step 1: Overcome Your Fear of Writing
  3. The Importance of a Writing Schedule
  4. Step 2: Choose What Story to Write

    What makes something become a compelling story? It takes more than surveillance camera footage.

  5. What Makes a Compelling Story?
  6. The Protagonist's Journey & Desire
  7. Step 3: Understanding the Three Act Structure
  8. Script Structure: Events Along the Journey
  9. Tools for Shaping Your Script
  10. Step 4: Write Act 1
  11. Step 5: Write Acts 2 & 3
  12. Step 6: How to Generate Conflict
  13. Step 7: Understand Your Character's World
  14. Add Color to the Scene: Dialouge
  15. Flashbacks, Voiceover & Non-linear Scenes
  16. Celebrating the Milestone
  17. How to Get Constructive Feedback
  18. Making Your Elevator Pitch

Reviews

user-526c85
 

After taking a number of other screenwriting courses, I can tell you that Hal Ackerman's course, The Art of the First Draft, is the BEST EVER!! His methodology of teaching is fantastic. He takes you on this journey from start to finish in a way that you WILL KNOW how to write a script by the time you finish this course. I liked how he used examples throughout his training to help you better understand screenwriting. If you really want to learn how to be a good screenwriter, then I would highly recommend taking Hal's course. You won't be disappointed.

Celeste
 

I've read a lot of books on the subject and I've been to a few seminars. Hal Ackerman's class is genuinely one of the best and the most helpful classes I have experienced. What makes the class so great is that every concept has you putting pen to paper or fingers on keyboard right away. Ackerman really has tools that are called to be used. Thanks for the wonderful resource.

Karla KL Brady
 

This was an excellent class! I'm a novelist with an eye toward screenwriting. One thing I notice is that there are foundational elements to storytelling that apply no matter what you write. For me, this class served as a great refresher and it really helped energize me as I begin my next project. The lessons on conflict and the three act structure were phenomenal and I LOVE Mr. Ackerman's teaching style. Excellent class. Well worth the fee. I'll watch this again and again.