anyone know how to teach a script writing class?

Question

I have to start teaching a script writing class. I am perfectly capable about doing that..it's just that does anyone already have a teaching plan that I couldd somewhat use?

Answer 1

Um, all my script writing experience has been for live theater or puppet shows, so those are the only ones I can comment on. For the first major script I wrote, I had a tutor walking me through the steps. No matter what, it has helped to do research first. Next I have found that I have to have well-developed characters. In fact, if I have developed my characters enough to the point that I can imagine what they look like, their ages, their backgrounds, their mannerisms, etc. - they will actually "want" to start talking to each other, and you can just go from there. Since I mostly write comedy, I also try to immerse myself in comedy (as clean as possible, for family humor) when I am planning to write a script and most of the rest of the time until the script is done. I also read scripts which are in the same tone I hope to write in to get ideas. Also, it helps to study movies or TV shows in the same genre and pay attention to how dialogue works (this is part of the research process, and a way to help mold your script as you go). Lately I have been noticing more ways to break down dialogue into shorter segments so it doesn't sound like the characters are just editorializing. It also helps to consider who your audience will be, and where you think your script is going to go after it's done. I think if you are trying to do a teaching plan, I would emphasize characters as much as plot. I don't have a well-developed plot until after I have well-developed characters, although I usually have an idea of setting and a very basic, general plot (like, the hero has to rescue the girl from the villain, as in a melodrama plot).

Answer 2

Well, my first language was Russian, which has a different alphabet/script, then I learned English at the age of 6, and I learned it fairly quickly. I am fluent in English and I speak, understand, and read Russian. (Well, read as in letter by letter, not word by word, if that makes sense, but I can't write) I suggest at the age 5 or 6 while they are young. They younger they are the more their brains are like sponges that can absorb information. :)

Answer 3

I havent taught one, but I did attend one in college. It was a cool course; we did an overview of dialogue, scenery, and camera positions, then watched excerpts from different movies demonstrating what we discussed. We then wrote a script f our own, and the class voted on the best to film. Good luck!

Answer 4

Script writing for what? Television, radio, newspaper, theatre? A few more specifics might be helpful.

And if you are going to teach a script writing class, I hope you will give your students more details than you gave here!