Intro to Screenwriting
Price
$97
Duration
6 lessons
About the Course
Lesson 1: Introduction to Screenwriting
What is screenwriting? Understanding the craft and its purpose.
Differences between screenplays and other forms of writing (novels, plays, etc.).
The role of a screenwriter in the film industry.
Overview of the screenwriting process from idea to final draft.
Key tools: Screenwriting software (Final Draft, Celtx, Fade In, etc.).
Lesson 2: Screenplay Format and Industry Standards
Understanding screenplay layout: Sluglines, action, dialogue, and transitions.
Proper script formatting using industry-standard guidelines.
Page length and timing (1 page ≈ 1 minute of screen time).
Writing visually: Show, don’t tell.
Common mistakes in formatting and how to avoid them.
Lesson 3: The Three-Act Structure and Story Basics
The foundation of storytelling: Beginning, middle, and end.
Breaking down the Three-Act Structure:
Act 1: Setup – Introducing the world, protagonist, and inciting incident.
Act 2: Conflict – Raising stakes, character development, and midpoint shift.
Act 3: Resolution – Climax and ending that satisfies the audience.
Alternative structures (TV writing, short films, non-linear storytelling).
Lesson 4: Character Development and Dialogue
Crafting compelling and believable characters.
Protagonist, antagonist, and supporting characters.
Understanding character arcs and motivations.
Writing natural, engaging dialogue (subtext, avoiding exposition dumps).
Common pitfalls in dialogue writing and how to fix them.
Lesson 5: Writing Scenes That Captivate
The anatomy of a great scene: Purpose, conflict, and change.
Scene pacing and transitions.
Visual storytelling and economy of words.
Creating tension, stakes, and emotional engagement.
Writing action vs. description: Keeping it tight and engaging.
Lesson 6: Revising, Feedback, and Next Steps
The importance of rewriting: First drafts vs. polished scripts.
How to give and receive constructive feedback.
Common script problems and how to fix them.
Pitching your script and getting it noticed.
Final encouragement and next steps for beginner writers.
Your Instructor
Faye Viviana
Faye Viviana is a producer, actress, and award-winning filmmaker. Her professional ballet career with American Ballet Theatre cut short by injury, she pivoted to entertainment. As a writer, her short film script RINDS was a quarterfinalist in WeScreenplay’s Short Script Lab and a Semi-Finalist in ScreenCraft’s Short Film Screenplay Competition. Her LA Stage debut as a playwright was in 2022 with Crimson Square’s world premiere of LIVE AT THE PURPLE LOUNGE, (which she contributed Scene 5) alongside 4 other female writers. As an actress, she has appeared in numerous roles on TV and many independent films, most notably for LONGMIRE (Netflix), S.W.A.T. (CBS), and DEPUTY (FOX) to name a few, and many independent films. She has directed many short films, music videos, and web series, such as How It All Began on Amazon Prime. Her first short film Grace screened in 27 festivals, was nominated 14 times and won 8 awards. She founded Crimson Square Theatre Company in 2019 and served as Executive Producer for 5 years, producing 9 shows under that banner. She also founded V3 Productions, an independent film, TV, and content creation company, where she has supported over 8 female and non-binary filmmakers in completing their first films, as well as recently completed the feature film Cahoots.