WIFT-T Feature Film Writing Program

Part 1: Discover Your Story | Part 2: Define Your Voice

Do you have a great idea for a movie? Do you want to give shape to your ideas and bring your characters to life in a believable world? Or have you lost track of your story and don’t know where your characters are going or why?

This two-part writing course introduces participants to the major elements of feature film screenwriting, including concept, character, conflict, dialogue, theme and the development stages of a screenplay. Through a combination of instruction, examples, hands-on exercises and group discussion, the program provides in-depth analyses of screenplay fundamentals and supports the development of a script from concept to first draft.

Participants may choose to take Part 1 or Part 2 individually; however, the full program is designed to support writers’ progression from one stage to the next. A one month intermission allows registrants to complete a treatment or outline to workshop in Part 2.

Program Details

Instructor | Maureen Dorey, Story Editor/Consultant
When | Wednesday evenings from 6PM – 9PM
Where | Technicolor, 49 Ontario Street, Toronto
Single Course Fee | $260 (+ HST) Members, $320 (+ HST) Non-Members
Full Program Fee | $520 (+ HST) Members, $640 (+ HST) Non-Members

Part 1: Discover Your Story

May 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2011
Learn the unique nature of telling stories for the screen. Recommended for emerging writers, Part 1 encourages participants to develop an original concept for a feature film and take that concept to the outline stage.

Part 2: Define Your Voice

July 13, 20, 27 & August 3, 2011
Build stronger characters, tighter scenes and a distinct theme. Recommended for emerging to intermediate writers, Part 2 helps participants with a completed outline or treatment delve deeper into their stories and develop a clear trajectory for their first draft.

Feature Film Writing Program | Core Components

Screenplay Anatomy
Using scripts from successful films, each series will help you understand the intricate working mechanisms of screenplays. The workshops focus on all elements of screenwriting, including genre, outlines, treatments and drafts, story, plot and sub-plots, back-story, character motivation, conflict, scene structure and sequences, turning points, reversals, tone, pacing and visual elements.

Feature Film Structure
Participants will learn the three-act structure, as well as the importance of themes, concepts, premise and genres. The course also examines the structure of building plots, the economy of narrative storytelling, and the importance of satisfying endings. Includes an introduction to character development and creating character profiles.

Character Development
Participants learn the essentials of character development, including creating strong, unique characters with memorable personalities; the role of protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters; building back story and psychology; and differentiating between complex characters and caricatures.

Dialogue
Participants receive an introduction on how to write natural, believable and economical dialogue for feature scripts. Topics include scene structure, exposition, descriptive writing, atmosphere and tone, impact of character choices on story design and charting convincing character change.

For more information, contact Renée Robinson, Programming & Business Affairs Manager, at 416.322.3430 ext. 222 or email rrobinson@wift.com.