Writers who’ve completed 10 Good Pages but wish to workshop a new project in this class are also welcome and encouraged to participate. Some of the topics and techniques we’ll cover in class include:
Course Goals and Expectations:
Through a combination of lectures, discussion, creative exercises and workshopping material, writers will complete a writer’s polish on their work by the end of the course, meaning a work ready to be shared with potential artistic collaborators. Writers are encouraged to bring existing, but not produced, projects to the class, but work at this stage is not required. Through our creative exercises, writers will have the opportunity to develop and workshop new material from the ground up.
As this is a writing class, writers will be expected to write and revise, at minimum, 2-5 pages
each week. Writers will also be expected to read 20-30 pages of their classmates’ writing each
week.
Course Outline:
Week One
Introduction & Welcome; Writer’s Toolkit Review
Writing/Revision Exercise #1
Week Two
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Collaboration Methods
Workshop Exercise #1
Writing/Revision Exercise #2
Week Three
What Is It All About? Theme, Aboutness, and Controlling Idea
Workshop Exercise #2
Week Four
Long-Form Structure: Act Method
Workshop Personal Project
Week Five
Long-Form Structure: Sequence and Setpiece Method
Workshop Personal Project
Week Six
The Polished Page: Pitching Producers and Directors
Table Read and Critique
A safe space:
This class will be a supportive, safe, and confidential space. Writers are free to explore ideas
important to them with the assurance that their stories will remain their own to take into the
world. We shall respect each writer’s privacy and not share any written work outside the class
without the express permission of said writer.
About your teacher:
Geoffrey Gunn is a writer, producer, and director specializing in independent film. His past
writing and co-writing credits include anime legend Mamoru Oshii’s GARM WARS: THE LAST
DRUID and the dark comedy DIRTY WEEKEND, both of which enjoyed international film
festival runs before finding their way to theaters, home video and streaming services.
Additional writing credits include the Lionsgate release SIREN, micro-budget darling CINEMA
PURGATORIO and the Lifetime thriller FATAL FAMILY REUNION. With over 15 years of
experience in the business of independent film, Geoffrey also routinely works as a panelist,
teacher, and consultant on the topic of screenwriting and filmmaking.