Learn how to write a screenplay by developing a compelling story and tackling a feature film script outline in this first course of a four-course sequence.
The first in a four-part sequence designed to take you through the full process of writing a feature film screenplay, this course grounds you in the key craft elements of story structure, plot, scene development, character, theme, genre, and dialogue and shows you how they work together to grip an audience's emotions. You learn how to create and evaluate story ideas, explore how characters' inner wants and immediate goals shape and drive a screenplay's action, see what constitutes compelling plots and subplots, and learn how to construct a scene. Throughout the course, you complete a series of exercises which serves as the basis for your script outline—a prose description of your screenplay. The course goal is to learn how to write effective, compelling scenes and to create a four-to-five-page outline that clearly delineates your script's beginning, middle, and end. The ability to write an effective outline is a critical skill for the professional screenwriter, serves as the basis for most pitches, and is required for admission into SCRIPT X 410.2 Feature Film II.
This course is conducted through Canvas, a secure website that allows students to log in to access lectures, discussions, and other course materials on demand. There are no required class meetings. Each course is structured with weekly assignments and deadlines. Lectures and coursework are accessible throughout the week. Workshops are conducted in writing via discussion boards with your instructor and classmates.
Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 26, 2022
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Save The Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
by Blake Snyder
Michael Wiese Productions
ISBN 978-1932907001
(Optional)
Adventures in the Screen Trade: A Personal View of Hollywood and Screenwriting
by William Goldman
This course is conducted through Canvas, a secure website that allows students to log in to access lectures, discussions, and other course materials on demand. There are no required class meetings. Each course is structured with weekly assignments and deadlines. Lectures and coursework are accessible throughout the week. Workshops are conducted in writing via discussion boards with your instructor and classmates.
Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 26, 2022
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Cut to the Chase: Writing Feature Films with the Pros at UCLA Extension Writers’ Program
by Linda Venis (Editor)
This course is conducted through Canvas, a secure website that allows students to log in to access lectures, discussions, and other course materials on demand. There are no required class meetings. Each course is structured with weekly assignments and deadlines. Lectures and coursework are accessible throughout the week. Workshops are conducted in writing via discussion boards with your instructor and classmates.
Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 26, 2022
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
(Optional)
Book Title: The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller
by John Truby
This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation.
Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.
Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 26, 2022
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation.
Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.
Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 27, 2022
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
(Optional)
Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting
by Syd Field
Delta; Revised edition
ISBN 978-0385339032
(Optional)
The Art of Dramatic Writing
by Lagos Egri
This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation.
Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.
Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 29, 2022
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
This course meets in person at the designated class meeting time and location. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation.
Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.
Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 25, 2022
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Discussion
Tue Jan 11, 2022
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in WestwoodUCLA Extension Gayley Center 114B
Discussion
Tue Jan 18, 2022
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in WestwoodUCLA Extension Gayley Center 114B
Discussion
Tue Jan 25, 2022
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in WestwoodUCLA Extension Gayley Center 114B
Discussion
Tue Feb 1, 2022
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in WestwoodUCLA Extension Gayley Center 114B
Discussion
Tue Feb 8, 2022
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in WestwoodUCLA Extension Gayley Center 114B
Discussion
Tue Feb 15, 2022
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in WestwoodUCLA Extension Gayley Center 114B
Discussion
Tue Feb 22, 2022
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in WestwoodUCLA Extension Gayley Center 114B
Discussion
Tue Mar 1, 2022
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in WestwoodUCLA Extension Gayley Center 114B
Discussion
Tue Mar 8, 2022
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in WestwoodUCLA Extension Gayley Center 114B
Discussion
Tue Mar 15, 2022
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Gayley Center in WestwoodUCLA Extension Gayley Center 114B
Contact Us
Speak to a program representative. Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.
