Study and practice of the fundamentals of narrative, the art of visual storytelling, and the elements of dramatic writing for the screen. Narrative strategies for establishing structure, pacing, setting, characterization, and dialogue will be provided through model films and writing exercises. Prerequisite for other screenwriting courses. Offered every summer.
Instructors:
Section 1: Weiko Lin (Screenwriter, playwright, producer)
Section 2: Marc Arneson (Screenwriter, Professor, UCLA)
Workshop course in which class members further develop skills in the writing and analysis of narrative screenplays. Designed for those with prior experience in screenwriting. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: FILM 505 or permission of program director. Offered every summer.
Instructors:
Section 1: Geoff Geib (Screen and television writer)
Section 2: Marc Arneson (Screenwriter, Professor, UCLA)
Study of methods of film analysis and research. Course covers the major approaches to film analysis, theory and criticism, and the tools used in film research. Required course.
Instructor:
Matthew Marshall (Visiting Assistant Professor, Hollins University)
A survey of the development of the horror genre in cinema, studying all its major periods, styles and movements from the silent era to contemporary independent horror. We will explore several critical approaches to the genre including formalism, psychoanalysis and feminism and discuss both the public attraction and critical rejection of the genre.
Instructor:
Matthew Marshall (Visiting Assistant Professor, Hollins University)
This workshop explores the process of acting designed specifically for writers, focusing on character motivations and dialogue. Throughout the course, students will learn the basics of performance, improvisation, visualization, and the process of breaking down scenes as an actor. Each session students will act in scenes written by fellow classmates as well as scenes from produced films/plays.
Instructor:
Weiko Lin (Screenwriter, playwright, producer)
This class will introduce students to the basic principles of television writing and assist them in writing a pilot for an original one hour television drama. Students will learn about dramatic concepts, processes, formats, roles, and industry expectations by reviewing different approaches to structure; discussion of current TV series; reading of TV scripts; analyzing TV pilots and work shopping students’ work.
Instructor:
Geoff Geib (Screen and television writer)
The study and practice of moving picture art through video. Students learn video production as a technical skill and an art, with practice in the making of narratives, experimental videos, and documentaries. All equipment provided. Lab fee: $200. May be repeated for credit.
Instructor:
Niam Itani (Writer/Director, Assistant Professor, Lebanese American University)
Highly concentrated, intensive course to be taken during a student’s final summer in the program. Students will rewrite a previous work written in the program. Not open to students in the M.A. program. Required course for the M.F.A. Offered every summer.
Instructor:
Tim Albaugh (Screenwriter, Producer, UCLA Faculty and Director of Hollins Graduate Film Program)
