Certificate Weekend Course in Script Writing
About
A good story is the basis of a good script and a good script ensures a successful film. When you approach the process of filmmaking from inside out, a fundamental shift takes place in your abilities to craft skilful screenplays and make path breaking cinema. Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication and Writer's Bridge programme in Scriptwriting creates a solid foundation for students to be outstanding writers, directors, actors and producers of films and T.V.
The programme bases its uniqueness on a global approach and perspective by engaging faculty and writers of international repute, associated with top film schools and universities abroad, who share their distinct styles and latest teaching methodology. Our Indian media experts simultaneously address students regularly to provide perspectives in various aspects of media.
The course lays emphasis on the practical application of writing to filmmaking and modules on visualization, shooting scenes and getting acquainted with film grammar will be part of the programme as DIRECTING LABS (using Theatre and Creative exercises). This will benefit future or even existing filmmakers using the concept-to-screen approach where you can test and improve your work at every step, truly taking it to the next level.
The basic level enables writers to come up with a project idea and at further levels, complete a feature length screenplay with an understanding of how all aspects of film making tie in, starting with the script. We believe everyone can tell stories and hone their craft, be it a beginner or professional.
Skills Developed
- Develop a dramatic story idea
- Structure a story for a film or television format
- Overview of Direction and Script Breakdowns (useful as a Director and AD)
- Develop and create unique characters and their journeys
- Art of writing good dialogue
- Visualization skills and Scene design
- Learning to make entertaining projects and pitch to the industry
Curriculum
The course will cover various aspects of copywriting including
Learn basics of Dramatic Writing and Create a Project Plan
- Session1: Introduction to storytelling and finding your story
- Session2: Elements and Structure of a Feature Length Screenplay
- Session3: Heroes Journey
- Session4: Finding your Characters
- Session5: Genre and Heroes Journey
- Session6: Writing for TV and Other Mediums (Directing Lab and Screenings)
- Preparation for writing First Draft in level 2
*Level 2: 6 Month Comprehensive Scriptwriting Program
Write a Draft of your Feature Length Screenplay with Script Consultations and Workshops.
- Take your work to where you want with complete feedback and production labs with team work and workshops to help you direct your work.
- Get recommendations and guidance to enter the industry with your own portfolios.
*Level 3: 12 Month Professional Scriptwriting Program
- Complete your second draft through personal mentoring
- Build portfolio and get ready to enter the Industry.
*Level two and three details available at SACAC upon completion of Level One
Facilitators
Our Faculty bring with them a rich experience and unique outlook.
Core Faculty
JIGYASA TANEJA SETHI - Writer, Director
Jigyasa Taneja Sethi made her debut as an independent writer/director/editor with her short film "DUSSEHRA - THE FESTIVAL" that won her a Student Oscar Nomination, West USA and BAAFTA/LA student awards. As Director of Tangents Creative, Jigyasa heads a multi-dimensional organization with production and educational wings committed to creating unique and bold work in research based fiction and non-fiction while nurturing and connecting artists at a global level.
She has worked as creative director for television, assistant to prominent directors in ad films and feature films across various genres and projects such as Homi Adajania's Being Cyrus, Farhan Akhtar's Don, Nina Menkes' Phantom Love, Janice Tanaka's Swimming in Air. Besides film, Jigyasa has written, directed and acted in several theatre productions performed in LA and New Delhi. She has been conducting workshops since 2004 and at present is faculty in the Dept. of Journalism and Mass Communication, Delhi University.
Consultant
JANICE TANAKA - Filmmaker, Guggenheim Fellow
Janice Tanaka ventured into performing arts with the Allegro American Ballet Company. She studied music composition at the Conservatorio Internacionale de Musica. She has managed to combine the technical aspect of film making along with the creative. Her work includes video, film and multichannel installations. In 1979 she built an analog computer for processing videos and from 1994 to 1997 she designed Computer games.
She champions in Experimental documentary and has bagged several awards including The American Film Institute Media Award, The National Endowment for the Arts Media Award, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Public Broadcasting Systems Media Awards. Janice has been on several panels like NEA and PBS and is an esteemed faculty at California Institute of The arts in the program for film and video and is working on her new venture- Swimming In Air.
Faculty
TAMARA LOGSDON HAWKINSON - Professional Writer and Screen Writer
Tamara has a range of works to her credit. She has written non-fiction articles on predominant topics such as the history of the American West, Native American Music and Jewelry, and Western collectibles. She has also written The Arizona Travel Smart- a highly regarded travelogue. Her book The Desert Home is an award winning coffee table book on architecture and design. Based in Arizona and LA, Tamara has the experience of being an online screenwriting instructor for more than five years, and is now core faculty at Writers Bridge.
Faculty
VIBHA MALHOTRA - Prose Writing Expert
Vibha Malhotra runs the editorial division of the travel-writing website Ghumakkar.com and also works as a professional editor with several publishing houses. She has performed her poems Your Little Girl, Broken Dreams and Fading into the fields at A Night of Poetry and Drifting with the Tyne at the Ink Festival at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK. Her short story Some People Can't Take a Hint featured in the Spiritual Newsletter and the poem My Faraway Muse featured in the Poetry Newsletter on the international writing website Writing.com. She is an active blogger and besides writing for her own blog for the past six years she has contributed to sites like Travelling Camera. She has completed her MA in Creative Writing from Newcastle University, UK. She is also a freelance non-fiction writer and writes regularly for The Times of India and Delhi Tourism.
Guest Faculty And Mentors
AARON HENNE - Playwright
Aaron Henne, a contemporary artist and award winning playwright turned director based in LA. His exploration of machines and their relation to humanity Body Mecanique, was developed and produced by LA Contemporary Dance Company (LACDC). He was also commissioned by The Natural History Museum of LA County to create original pieces for the same.
His ode to Kafka's The Castle opened in February 2011 and received brilliant critical acclaim. He is also a proud member of The Playwright's Union. His recent works include Collision Theory's Blood Red Lost Head Dead Falcon: The Nibelungen, a multimedia adaptation of a 12th century epic poem, His playwriting process book, You Already Know, is available through Writ Large Press. At present Aaron teaches writing for the Playwrights' Program at The Robey Theatre Company, Wordspace, Writing Pad and runs the writer's studio, Wordstrut.
SURESH KOHLI - Writer/Filmmaker
Suresh Kohli is known as the "Father of literary journalism" in India. An accomplished editor since 1972, he launched himself into the Indian film industry in 1986 with a 13 part Hindi serial called Rishte-Naate. Since then, he has directed over 100 documentaries and mini- television serials and many of his documentaries have been screened at Kolkata, Mumbai, Australia and London.
He has translated literary criticism from Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu into English and also written pieces on cinema for Indian and international periodicals. He is associated with the India International Centre; Press Club of India; JD Centre for Art, Bhubaneshwar and The Poetry Society of India.
A brilliant poet and a film critic, he continues to contribute to journalism and filmmaking in a multifaceted manner with his base in New Delhi.
We have numerous other mentors and faculty from Mumbai Industry including:
ALANKRITA SHRIVASTAVA - Writer/Director-Turning Thirty, Co-Director- Rajneeti. Visited Writers Bridge several times and been part of our panels in Delhi University.
PRAFUL BAWEJA - Writer, Director, Visiting Faculty at MICA and EMDI.
Praful has written and directed Where Dreams May Go, a short film in 24 hours which was premiered at the IFFI 2004. His television experience includes writing story and screenplay for Kashissh with director Ravi Rai , Chi & Me directed by Ratna Shah, Sinha Kasam Se with Balaji Telefilms , Nach Le Ve for SOL and Rooh for Anand Rai. As Creative Head Praful lead a team of writers for Star Mahotsav with Cineyug Productions.
SAMREEN FAROOQUI - Documentary filmmaker
Samreen Farooqui, co -director of Hit and Run, has made films for PSBT, UNICEF, World Bank and is also a guest faculty at our workshops.
And many others like MUKUL SHRIVASATVA (Writer on Survivor series TV) and PUBALI CHAUDHURI (Screenwriter Rock On)
Admission & Fees
Admission Procedure
Pre-requisite: A phone interview and commitment to the process.
All above age 16 are eligible to apply.
Both English and Hindi writers are encouraged to apply.
Seats -limited
Course begins
February 2012
NOTE: All participants will be intimated of the exact date the course begins via e-mail.
Duration
3 Months (72 Hours across 24 Sessions)
Classes: Twice in a week, (Saturday and Sunday)
Fees
Entrance Test Fee: INR 500/-
Course Fees: INR 24,000 for three months Basic Level
