Screenwriting/ Adapting Your Novel for the Big Screen(Continuing Class- 6-hour class)

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Learn how to combine screenplay structure with story structure and greatly improve your novel’s chances of being optioned by Hollywood. Whether you want to write the screenplay yourself or have someone else turn your novel into a screenplay for you, you MUST have an understanding of screenplay structure. 

 

This workshop is a continuing class that will be covering EVERYTHING about the art and craft of screenwriting from beginning to end. This is NOT just a class for people wanting to learn to screenwrite – it’s a class for writers of every kind.

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Topics covered are:  

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• Creating the Story Idea

• High Concept

• Writing the logline

• Creating and Developing Dimensional Characters

• Creating Secondary Characters

• The Three Act Structure, Plot and subplots

• Turning points and action points

• Writing an outline and treatment

• Screenplay Form and Format

• Developing and Constructing a Scene

• Writing Effective Dialogue and much, MUCH more! (67 Page handout)

 

The Big Idea: Writing Stories Hollywood Will Love

 

Two areas where writers tend to stumble when putting together a story are “the big idea” and pacing. For “the big idea,” this means, “Does this story need to be told as a book or a movie, and will it keep audiences engaged for 300 pages or 90-120 minutes?” Engaging the audience, however, starts on the page. You need a reader to keep turning pages of your book or screenplay in rapid succession because the story propels them forward with energy and purpose. Readers need to see the movie as they turn pages, and if the script drags, the film certainly will. How do you determine if your idea is “big” enough to carry a film? And how do you make sure your script has strong pacing? In this class, we will be delving into detail about the importance of the big idea and solid pacing. 

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The Power of Networking (ALSO SHARED AS A KEYNOTE )

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The who, what, where, when, why and how of networking. Including how to network from a spiritual perspective. (This is a great class to teach on the first day of a conference to prepare conferees for networking throughout the week.)

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Discovering Your Calling/Finding Your Gift (ALSO SHARED AS A KEYNOTE)

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As my most requested class and keynote, Discovering Your Calling is an in-depth Bible study, part personal testimony, and all fun. This humorous teaching is geared towards encouraging others to step out and start using their gifts.  

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The Art of Collaborative Writing

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Whether you plan on sharing the fame or sharing the blame, this class will help equip you to navigate the sometimes choppy waters of writing as a team.

 

• We’ll be discussing the benefits and pitfalls of collaborative writing including:

• How to find the right partner

• How to pitch a project to a potential partner

• How to make a final decision as a team

• Exploring work time and workspace

• Choosing a project, co-drafting the script or story

• How to make a creative relationship work.

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Shameless Self Promotion for the Christian Creative

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Learn how to successfully market yourself or your project for maximum exposure at a minimal cost. We’ll be covering everything from the secrets to free publicity to create press kits on a budget. (16-page handout).

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The Shark Ate My Icthus

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Learn how to swim with sharks in the publishing/entertainment industry without becoming one yourself.  Learning from someone else’s mistakes is always a preferred method for gaining knowledge, and now it’s your turn to learn from mine. I’ll be sharing stories about my own bad experiences and compromises in the entertainment industry as an actor, writer, and networker. 

Topics covered will include the "BADS" of the business world including:

• contracts

• performances

• business relationships

• accountability

• language

• negotiations

• decisions

• behavior

• and witness

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We will pull a U-turn and get back on the path to redemption and focus on the Narrow Gate.

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Behind the Scenes- Character Matters

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Come and hear some behind-the-scene stories about my life as an actor/writer and the pitfalls you should avoid. In-class discussion with no topic off-limits. Bold questions get bold answers.

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Brainstorming Story Fixes and Marketing Strategies. (After Hours/Late Night Talks)

Brainstorming with writers to fix story problems and in helping them to find their individually unique marketing angles. Brainstorming sessions take place in an appointment for one-on-one meetings or in a small group setting.

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INQUIRE ABOUT TORRY SPEAKING AT MY EVENT

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