Scriptwriting | Curriculum

 

Story Development — Students learn how stories begin, evolve, and find their shape. They explore premise, theme, character, conflict, setting, point of view, and story structure while developing original ideas of their own.

 

Universal Script Elements — Students explore the foundational elements shared across scripts, including character, dialogue, action, scene structure, setting, pacing, conflict, objectives, and dramatic tension. They learn how these elements work together to move a story forward.

 

Playwriting — Students are introduced to the craft of writing for the stage. Through exercises and original writing, they explore dramatic structure, dialogue, character relationships, theatricality, scene construction, and the unique possibilities of live performance.

 

Screenplay Writing — Students learn the fundamentals of writing for film and television, including screenplay format, visual action, scene headings, dialogue, pacing, transitions, and writing economically for the screen. Students also explore the work and influence of notable screenwriters, filmmakers, and storytellers, with particular attention to the contributions of African American creators.

 

Visual Storytelling — Students learn to think beyond the written page and communicate story through images, action, setting, composition, pacing, sound, and visual detail. They explore how writers collaborate with directors, actors, designers, cinematographers, and other artists to bring a script to life.

 

Arts & Cultural History — The #IQOTD, #IKOTD & #IIOTD — Students discover the writers, playwrights, filmmakers, production companies, and cultural movements that have shaped the stories we see on stage and screen. Through Industry Queen, King & Institution of the Day, students encounter influential creators and institutions whose contributions have expanded the possibilities of storytelling, with particular attention to the rich history of African American writers and storytellers.

 

The Business of Storytelling — Students are introduced to the professional pathways available to writers, including theatre, film, television, streaming, publishing, development, pitching, collaboration, intellectual property, and producing. Students begin to understand how an idea can move from the page into a finished creative work.

 

Performance & Presentation — Students have opportunities to share, read, develop, and present their original work. Through table reads, staged readings, presentations, and performance, students learn how to receive feedback, revise their work, and develop the confidence to share their voice.