LECTURES AND EVENTS
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Screenwriting Expo 2008
Okay, here is my final schedule for the Screenwriting Expo November 13-16, 2008. Here is the Expo's home page: Screenwriting Expo 2008
You may notice these are the exact same classes I did last year - that wasn't the original plan, but the Expo changed management this year. So I hope to actually bring something new to these classes... and you can help! "What I'd like to know about this subject is...." post it on the message boards and that will help me redesign the classes.
William C. Martell -*- (Rated a star speaker in 2005, 2006)
Description & Visual Storytelling -*- Thursday 2:00-3:30pm
Course Description: Sure, your dialogue's great, but description is 50% of your screenplay and film is a visual medium. Is half your script in trouble? Technique-based class with 25 ways to improve description, create hidden camera angles, tell your story visually. Decisions, metaphors, symbolism, why pictures are worth a thousand words.
Guerrilla Marketing Your Script -*- Thursday 4:00-5:30pm
Course Description: No agent? No problem! How to make your own connections, find producers interested in your script, get readings and studio meetings, sell without an agent or manager. Instructor has sold over 20 scripts without an agent, 17 were filmed. You don't need an agent to sell, just a great script!
Elements of Horror -*- Thursday 6:00-7:30pm
Course Description: From The Ring to Saw and Hostel, horror is hot! You'll learn everything you need to know to write in this genre, from creating dread, loss of free will, fear of the unknown, classic horror (like The Others) vs. Stalk & Slash and Modern Horror. How to create a monster. What do Rosemary's Baby, Night of the Living Dead, The Exorcist, Bride of Frankenstein, The Others, and Open Water have in common? This class will tell you! All of the critical elements necessary to write a script that scares the pants off the audience.
SCRIPT SECRETS: SAN FRANCISCO - TBA 2009
SCRIPT SECRETS: CHARACTER FIRST! - The big 2 day class is totally revamped for 2009. In past years we started by finding that great script idea, this year we start by creating a compelling character and then find the story idea that will best explores that character Movies are about people, so creating interesting characters is one of the most important elements of writing a screenplay.
The new class will take you step-by-step from blank page to fully formed character, then show you how to find the story within that character. How to find theme within the character. How to find the character's unique voice and create the supporting characters who best bring out the character of your protagonist. You'll learn how to show character through actions, decisions and interactions with environment. This is a different and unique approach to screenwriting that places character first.
This year we'll be using the romantic adventure film ROMANCING THE STONE as our primary example, as well as films like THE INCREDIBLES and MULHOLLAND DRIVE and AIRPLANE.
Car chases don't go to the movies, PEOPLE do - so let's focus on the people part of stories!
SCRIPT SECRETS: THE BIG IDEA - LOS ANGELES - Updated version of the classic big 2 day class!
SCRIPT SECRETS: THE BIG IDEA -- LOS ANGELESAn INTENSIVE two day course - screenwriting stripped of the theoretical nonsense! This is the "classic class" - starting with finding that great film idea than explanding that idea into a full length screenplay. We'll spend all day Saturday and Sunday learning techniques to come up with great film ideas, improve your dialogue, description, story and screenwriting abilities! Plus a section on selling your script!
For 2009 we'll be using the movie GHOST as our primary example, with clips from that film as well as NORTH BY NORTHWEST, THE MATRIX, AIRPLANE, THE BIG SLEEP and DILLINGER.
SCRIPT SECRETS: CHARACTER FIRST! - NEW YORK - TBA 2009 - a new version of the big 2 day class!
SCRIPT SECRETS: CHARACTER FIRST! - The big 2 day class is totally revamped for 2009. In past years we started by finding that great script idea, this year we start by creating a compelling character and then find the story idea that will best explores that character Movies are about people, so creating interesting characters is one of the most important elements of writing a screenplay.
The new class will take you step-by-step from blank page to fully formed character, then show you how to find the story within that character. How to find theme within the character. How to find the character's unique voice and create the supporting characters who best bring out the character of your protagonist. You'll learn how to show character through actions, decisions and interactions with environment. This is a different and unique approach to screenwriting that places character first.
This year we'll be using the romantic adventure film ROMANCING THE STONE as our primary example, as well as films like THE INCREDIBLES and MULHOLLAND DRIVE and AIRPLANE.
Car chases don't go to the movies, PEOPLE do - so let's focus on the people part of stories!
SCRIPT SECRETS: NEW YORK - 2009
SCRIPT SECRETS: HONG KONG - TBA Hong Kong Film Academy
SCRIPT SECRETS: THE BIG IDEA is an INTENSIVE two day course - screenwriting stripped of the theoretical nonsense! This is the "classic class" - starting with finding that great film idea than explanding that idea into a full length screenplay. We'll spend all day Saturday and Sunday learning techniques to come up with great film ideas, improve your dialogue, description, story and screenwriting abilities! Plus a section on selling your script!
For 2009 we'll be using the movie GHOST as our primary example, with clips from that film as well as NORTH BY NORTHWEST, THE MATRIX, AIRPLANE, THE BIG SLEEP and DILLINGER.
For more info: CLICK HERE
SCRIPT SECRETS: LONDON - TBA - Raindance Film Festival.
SCRIPT SECRETS: CHARACTER FIRST! - The big 2 day class is totally revamped for 2007. In past years we started by finding that great script idea, this year we start by creating a compelling character and then find the story idea that will best explores that character Movies are about people, so creating interesting characters is one of the most important elements of writing a screenplay.
The new class will take you step-by-step from blank page to fully formed character, then show you how to find the story within that character. How to find theme within the character. How to find the character's unique voice and create the supporting characters who best bring out the character of your protagonist. You'll learn how to show character through actions, decisions and interactions with environment. This is a different and unique approach to screenwriting that places character first.
This year we'll be using the romantic adventure film ROMANCING THE STONE as our primary example, as well as films like THE INCREDIBLES and MULHOLLAND DRIVE and AIRPLANE.
Car chases don't go to the movies, PEOPLE do - so let's focus on the people part of stories!
SCRIPT SECRETS: LONDON for Raindance.
Bill's 2009 Tour may have stops in New York or Seattle or Minneapolis for the big 2 day class! Interested? E-mail me!
Interested in attending? E-mail me and I'll put you on the "interested list" and send you more info when I have it.
LosAngeles@scriptsecrets.net - Los Angeles
Seattle@scriptsecrets.net - Seattle
Minneapolis@scriptsecrets.net - Minneapolis
NewYork@scriptsecrets.net - New York
MyCity@scriptsecrets.net - Pick My City!
PS: I need a *minimum* of 20 people, plus a room to hold the class (30-40 people) at a reasonable rate, and someone to do some local publicity - if you can provide any of these three elements, mention it in your e-mail!
SCRIPT SECRETS 2 DAY CLASSES: There are now 3 different versions of the big 2 day class: SCRIPT SECRETS: THE BIG IDEA - using GHOST as primary example, SCRIPT SECRETS: CHARACTER FIRST - using ROMANCING THE STONE as primary example, and SCRIPT SECRETS: THEME & CONFLICT using NOTORIOUS as the primary example. Plus. I have 2 other classes in development: SCRIPT SECRETS: CHARACTER IN ACTION a class on writing action movies for the new millennium that uses THE MATRIX as primary example (plus BATMAN BEGINS, BOURNE, and CASINO ROYALE) and SCRIPT SECRETS: INCREDIBLE CONFLICT focusing on central conflicts (emotional and physical) that uses THE INCREDIBLES as primary example. These classes will be in rotation over the coming years, so that there will always be a new class with fresh information!
Plus (hopefully in 2009) - SCRIPT SECRETS $20 Screenwriting Seminars! Ten 2 hour weeknight classes in LA, only $20 each!
Are you programming a FILM FESTIVAL or WRITERS CONFERENCE and in need of classes or workshops for screenwriters? Click HERE for a LIST OF CLASSES or e-mail me at wcmartell@ScriptSecrets.Net for information!
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