Was there a time when a movie or TV episode affected you, made you jump, cry, or simply floored you? In those moments you were likely manipulated by dozens of narrative mechanisms -- invisible to an unaware audience -- that are the core tools of screenwriting. Learn the craft of generating cinematic material and organizing it for effect through case study screenings of popular film and television, followed by creative exercises in concept, protagonist, act structure, dramatic tension, and more. Explore the different structural underpinnings of film and television and generate original material of your own in this lecture course.
3-4 units · Letter (ABCD/NP)
Was there a time when a movie or TV episode affected you, made you jump, cry, or simply floored you? In those moments you were likely manipulated by dozens of narrative mechanisms -- invisible to an unaware audience -- that are the core tools of screenwriting. Learn the craft of generating cinematic material and organizing it for effect through case study screenings of popular film and television, followed by creative exercises in concept, protagonist, act structure, dramatic tension, and more. Explore the different structural underpinnings of film and television and generate original material of your own in this lecture course.
Offered in Winter 2027 at Stanford University.