Class

Screenplays: Writing for Indies

It’s never been easier to make a film these days. But it’s still tough. Even the best scripts can easily be derailed when it comes to call action. Often, it’s the practicalities that prove the hardest challenges to overcome. Writing with your limitations in mind can prove to not only be a great way to ensure your film gets made, but also a creative catalyst for engaging stories, characters, and themes. This 6-week course looks at some of the biggest hurdles you face as an independent filmmaker, and helps you write with them in mind. Like writing we start by asking the right questions: What locations, props, costumes, vehicles, cast, crew, and equipment do you already have at your disposal? What stories can you tell with what, where, and who you have? How do you tell them in ways that maximizes time, money, and energy? How do you think outside the box, pull from different styles, mediums, and techniques to tell low budget, compelling stories in interesting ways? How can great characters, strong narrative structure, and thoughtful camera direction draw us in, move us, and provoke us?

Instructions for Accessing This Online Class

In order to access live class meetings, you must have the Zoom application downloaded to your computer. You will also need a WiFi/Internet connection throughout the duration of your scheduled meeting and a computer with audio and video capability. The information to join your Zoom classroom will be provided in your confirmation email upon registration. Please check spam folders if you do not see this email upon registration. For more information on how to use Zoom, please see our training manual here.

Some classes use a supplemental Google Classroom page. Should your teaching artist use Google Classroom, you will be invited to join the classroom via email at least 24 hours in advance of your class (check spam folders if you are not seeing this invitation). Please note that Google Classroom requires a Gmail address to access the Classroom. If you do not have a Gmail account, the email invitation will be sent to the email address we have on file and will prompt you to create a free account or enter an existing account to join the classroom. If we are unable to send an email invitation to your non-gmail account, you will be contacted by a staff member to provide a Gmail address. If you do not have a Gmail account, you can create a free account here. Should you have concerns about this, please contact a Loft staff member at [email protected] or 612-379-8999. For more information on how to use Google Classroom, please see our training manual here.