Before I flew to Camarillo, California,
to attend four days of concentrated scriptwriting classes at the office of
Movieguide®, several writer
friends asked me to bring back a report. Here it is.
First, let me explain that one major
reason I registered for “How to Succeed in Hollywood (Without Losing Your
Soul)” was simply to improve my novel-writing skills. After all, novels deal
with characters, conflicts, plots, and dialogue just as movies do. I reasoned
that the class would sharpen my thinking and my writing. The class accomplished
that goal, but gave so much more.
As Dr. Ted Baehr and Dr. Sarah-Jane
Murray poured themselves into our group (limited to 9 students to give more
personal attention), their passion for scriptwriting was obvious. All of us
received new insights and practical instruction in such skills as:
* Developing a premise, which guides the overall story
* Developing a treatment that supports the premise
* Creating a plot that includes the major components and
proper pacing
* Casting intriguing characters and orchestrating their
interaction
* How to compose crisp dialogue that wastes no words
Sounds unrealistic? Not after the friends
at Movieguide® point out
that films with positive role models and faith-filled messages consistently
outsell movies tainted by foul language, sex, and violence. So the modern
reality is that even non-Christian Hollywood producers are searching for
well-written uplifting screenplays, because they see how such movies yield
greater profits at the box office. The irony? So many Christians fled Hollywood
decades ago that relatively few know the tips and tricks of producing a quality
script that looks and sounds professional. Dr. Baehr and the friends at
Movieguide® have a vision
for changing that situation and training authors who know the Lord to expand
their repertoire so they can write and pitch a movie script as well as they
write and pitch their novels.
Intrigued? If so, the next four-day
session of concentrated classes will be held April 10-13, 2014. The cost for
classes is $1,000, which includes meals. To register or to learn more, call (805)
383-2000, or email the secretary Tahlia at: tahlia.m@movieguide.org.
P.S. Dr. Ted Baehr has also written a book that will both educate and inspire you. The title is the same as that of the class: How to Succeed in Hollywood (Without Losing Your Soul). I highly recommend it!
Thrilled your experience was a good one. Thanks for the class review. Sounds terrific.
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely worth my time and money. I'm still pumped, Mary! Already applying what I learned.
DeleteI am planning on going next year. So glad you had a great experience! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteKarla, you won't regret going. One thing I would advise, though, is that if you don't already have any script software, download one of the free ones (for example, Trelby) to your laptop before going. You'll be scripting a short scene on the final day of class, and trying to get it right in Word would be frustrating.
DeleteNice post, Rick. I recently acquired this book and I must say it's full of surprises. It's funny, many times movies are adapted from books. I like to think that creative fiction writers are just writing down the movie they are watching on the big screen in their imaginations. Many of the story telling principles are shared between writing and film making. This book has some golden nuggets for those of us who fall in the writing camp.
ReplyDeleteYes, it has a lot of interesting information. Glad you are enjoying it!
DeleteIts a bit interesting also terrifying! Plenty good
ReplyDeleteexperience and realistic too!