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Film Tue Feb 24 2009
Got a Movie in You?
Think you've got what it takes to write the next Slumdog or Juno? Chicago Filmmakers is offering two screenwriting classes this spring to help get your Keyser Sözes out of your head and onto the page. If you're familiar with the basic structure of movie scripts and how to write them (do you capitalize the character's name when they enter the story?), you can probably jump into Screenwriting II, a five-person workshop class where students critique 10 to 15 pages of each others' scripts each week, with a finished movie script as the end goal.
If that's a little over your head but you still think you might be the next Michel Gondry, Screenwriting I teaches the basics: character development, dialogue, structure, narrative progression (you know, story), and includes an hour-long lecture at the beginning of each class.
Both class fees are $395 and are taught by Columbia College screenwriting teacher Paul Peditto.
"It's a good bargain," Peditto says. "At Columbia it's what, two grand? Here I teach the same stuff. It's in half the time, but it's a quarter of the money."
Screenwriting II classes start March 12 and meet on Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9:30pm at Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark Street. Screenwriting I begins March 30 and meets on Mondays at the same time and location. More information is available on the Chicago Filmmakers website. Currently both classes still have space. Call 773-293-1447 to register by phone.
