Screenwriting: write your first draft fast

FADE IN: "Formula" marathons for writing often yield an unsatisfying script. Pour a cup of java and let' s make writing fast mesh with writing quality. We cover: 1) making a script effective from the start; 2) developing story structure; 3) deepening characterization; 4) enriching scenes; 5) discovering the secrets of middles; 6) finding endings with fast finish techniques.

Syllabus: Each unit includes suggestions for reading, online handouts, and fun, meaningful writing assignments. In addition, you'll be encouraged to try a few pages on your own screenplay each week. Nothing too strenuous, but look how much you'll accomplish in only 6 units!

Unit 1 What makes a script successful or saleable?

How do I start it effectively?
Concepts and Character: How do I know my idea's worthy of a whole tale for the screen?
What is the core of "Story"?
The issue of Marketability vs Creativity.
Key ingredients for great screenplays.
Plotting for Power: What comes first.
Handouts.
Assignments include: Write page 1-your most important page.

Unit 2 Story Structure

Laying out a story. Three acts, four acts, and more.
Story questions and story spine:
Character and structure merge and become promises of action and more.
Turning points, character arcs and more refinements that make a story move forward.
Handouts.
Write pages 1-10.

Unit 3 Characterization

Traits. Trouble. Triumph.
Attitude. Angst. Abilities.
What do we need to know about our characters?
Setting up motivations for payoffs.
Handouts.
Write pages 10-15.

Unit 4 Scene Work

Every script needs tension or suspense and it's each scene that develops that for you.
How to "power up" your scenes.
At least 3 types of scenes good screenplays tend to have.
Dialogue tips for enriching scenes.
Handouts.
Write pages 15-25.

Unit 5 Midpoints and Muddling Problems

Subplots. To use them or not? How many? Why?
Secondary Characters and their Functions.
Why middles go flat and what savvy screenwriters know about them.
Handouts.
Write pages 25-30.

Unit 6 Fast Finish

How screenwriters write when they don't know a lot of stuff yet.
Tricks of the trade. Fast doesn't mean to rush it.
Traps to avoid. The truth of logic and credibility.
Endings need to accomplish at least 3 things.
Push through to the finish-remember that pioneers don't turn back. They take the next step. So will you.
Marketing tips.
Handouts.
Writing until the "FADE OUT."

Special benefit of this course: Both levels give you a professional screenwriting mentor who won’t disappear after you finish the workshop. Create dynamic stories all the way to FADE OUT. Also, at the Pro Level, because your instructor believes so strongly in the power of revisions and polishing, she has included a critique of not only your first draft but also of your revision of that draft.

You can start our workshops anytime, and there are no required hours to log on. It's all done with one-on-one correspondence with the instructor using email. Some classes have materials on a web site, but you can access those at your leisure with a password that we will give you. We have writers from around the world participating in our workshops, and we have success stories. A lot of great writing gets accomplished via email. Because of the one-on-one nature of our workshops, you'll find them an excellent "coaching" or mentoring situation that will keep you going. And if you want to just work on your own-hey, that's fine too. Of course you can do the suggested exercises on your own and pass on the feedback if you'd rather do that. We're also here throughout the year if you have questions.

Your instructor:

Christine DeSmet is a screenwriter, novelist, short story writer, and has recently finished a new full-length play. She also teaches screenwriting online through UW-Madison. She coordinates the annual Writers' Institute and the Write-by-the-Lake Writer's Workshop & Retreat. Co-authored with Peggy Williams, her true-story film script "Chinaware-Fragile" was the winner of a past Slamdance Film Festival writing contest and optioned to New Line Cinema. With Peggy, Christine has optioned other projects and is marketing several screenplays. She's a fellowship graduate of the Warner Bros. Sitcom Writers Workshop, and is a member of Wisconsin Screenwriters Forum, Romance Writers of America, Electronic Publishing Internet Connection (EPIC), and Writers Guild of America, East. Her romantic suspense, Spirit Lake, is an award-winning, best-selling novel for publisher Hard Shell Word Factory. Her novels are represented by 3 Seas Literary Agency. She has received rave reviews for short stories in a humorous romantic mystery series called "Mischief in Moonstone." Those have been published in anthologies from Whiskey Creek Press, with new editions issued through 2008; excerpts can be found at www.JewelsoftheQuill.com. She has a Master's degree in journalism from UW-Madison and grew up on a farm near Barneveld, Wisconsin. Learn more about Christine DeSmet.

Student comments:

"Why did your course work for me? It worked, first of all, because you knew what was before me and I did not. I have always had this notion that writers just wrote without a plan. I could never imagine Dickens or Inge laboring over pages of perparatory notes, outlines, beat sheets and the rest. Now I truly imagine they did for they were successful. The course worked for me because you insisted I work the course. But waite, there's more, as they say. You taught me that screenwriting is a format/formula business and if one doesn't adhere to that tenet, one has no business writing a screenplay. The real gist of it, though...the real reason I have returned for another dose, is the course critiques. I am absolutely convinced that there wouldn't have been a snowball's chance in hell of getting optioned without your critiques." ~ Carl Ames, Marshall, Wis., went from ideas tage to optioning his scripts to a producer in 9 months during 2003 with this course. Congrat's Carl! He's taking the course again to help him write a second script.

"If you write fiction --whether for the screen or for print --you NEED this course!! The exercise of putting together a screenplay is possibly one of the very best things you can do to improve your skill as a writer. Chris DeSmet is awesome --encouraging you while at the same time gently leading you to get better and to make your writing stronger. Best investment I ever made in my career as a writer." ~ Jo Schmidt, Mequon, Wis., graduate of #9009 Screenwriting/Write Your First Draft Fast (Level III)

"Before I took Chris DeSmet's course, my screenplay didn't have TRUE character arcs, turning points, echo scenes, etc. Her enthusiasm, honesty and aggressiveness never wavered. NO ONE will be disappointed taking her course!" ~ Mary Skanavis, Wauwatosa, Wis.

Costs

This online screenwriting course has the option of two different levels: The Basic Level features optional, basic-level exercises for just $195. Be-A-Pro Level & Script Critique includes feedback on all exercises and an in-depth critique of your finished draft of approx. 100-120 pages—yes, the entire screenplay--as well as its revision: $395. Register any time.

For more information

Contact Christine DeSmet (cdesmet@dcs.wisc.edu, 608-262-3447) for more details. Work at your own pace and take up to a year to finish. You will earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) when you complete the course. CEUs: 1.2 for Level 1; 9.0 for Level 3.

News

Screenwriting student wins award from BBC

Martin McSweeney, Cork, Ireland, a graduate of our UW online course in screenwriting, won a writing award from the BBC on Oct. 31, 2007, for a TV script based on his novel, Two Weeks In June. Martin now gets into BBC workshops and gets a chance at a commissioned script. Congratulations!

Writer Lisa Holewa finds agent and a sale at Writers' Institute

Lisa Holewa had a pitch meeting with agent Marilyn Allen (Allen O'Shea Literary Agency) at the 2006 Writers' Institute. That turned into a sale for Lisa's and Joan Rice's book, Elephant Ears and Marshmallow Feet, a guide for parents that takes tricks and activities developed by teachers and translates them into techniques parents can use at home to get their children organized, listening, and cooperating. The book sold to Maria Gagliano at Perigee (Penguin Group). Congratulations, Lisa!

Online screenwriting course grad tops in two contests, options script

Mike Mason, Norwich, England, has finished in the top ten in the 2007 Scriptapalooza contest with his script, "LA Coincidental," a comedy send-up of film noir detective movies. He optioned the script to Hero Pictures. Mike wrote the script in our UW online course, "Write Your First Draft Fast," with Christine DeSmet, http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/online. An interview with Mike is online at the Scriptapalooza website. Mike also won first place in the Wisconsin Screenwriters Forum contest, where second place went to another of Christine's students, Pat Fitzgerald. Her script is "Kid," the true story of Billy the Kid.

Congratulations to all! Christine's online class is open for enrollment anytime. Her next one-day, in-person screenwriting workshop is Feb. 23, 2008, in Madison.

Screenwriting and short story news from Christine DeSmet

Christine DeSmet has learned that a romantic comedy she wrote with writing partner, Peggy Williams, made the top ten percent semi-finals in the annual Austin Film Festival contest. Called "Anyone Can," the story is about four slacker guys who think they can get rich quick by writing a romance novel but instead end up in the crosshairs of a real romance writer out to destroy them. Christine teaches the UW's online screenwriting course, and welcomes new writers anytime. Also look for her Saturday, Feb. 23 introductory workshop in Madison.

Christine DeSmet has two new short stories published this fall, including her first ghost story, "When the Dead People Brought a Dish-to-Pass," in the book, Shadows in the Heart/A Jewels of the Quill Halloween Anthology, published by Whiskey Creek Press. The light-hearted romantic mystery is about what happens for a troubled young woman when her dead relatives from centuries before decide to cheer her up by giving her a Halloween party and bringing food from each of their eras, as well as a possible suitor. The story takes place in fictional Moonstone, Wisconsin, on the south shore of Lake Superior.

Christine's other story takes place in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. "Stolen Pleasures," is in The Object of Romance Anthology, from new publisher, Beacon Books Publishing. In that romantic mystery, an art shop owner's bad luck with dating gets worse when the most recent guy turns up dead after eating her maraschino cherry cake.

Excerpts of Christine's stories are at www.JewelsoftheQuill.com

Also of interest:

The same writing staff that bring you these great online classes also provide individualized writing critique services. Learn more by visiting our writing critique services Web page. The Writing News

Receive the Writing News, our free e-mail newsletter. If you subscribe, then 4-5 times a year you will receive from the Department of Liberal Studies and the Arts a detailed e-mail with information about our upcoming writing programs as well as news about student acheivements, new programs, and opportunities for writers. To subscribe send a blank e-mail message to: join-writing-news@lists.wisc.edu.

More distance education: Independent Learning journalism and writing courses are another option for distance education through University of Wisconsin-Extension. Most courses are available for college or high-school credit.