Introduction to Screenwriting

Course Summary

Cover key aspects of writing for film to help you turn your ideas into vivid and compelling screen stories. Explore narrative structure and film language, as well as script format and layout, treatments and synopses. Through a combination of analysis and practical exercises the aim is to explore and develop your creative ideas without resorting to by-the-book formulas.

Throughout the course you will cover:

• How to flesh out initial ideas into a feature film story
• 3 act story structure and variations of 2^nd and 4th acts
• Writing short documents including log line, one paragraph pitch, story synopsis, scene outlines, treatments
• Develop three dimensional characters with traits, personality, voice, backstory, biography, contrasting points of view scene analysis and subtext
• Writing properly formatted scenes to industry standard
• Script editing and redrafting scenes
• Draft to draft rewriting
• Analysis of feature film illustrating aspects covered in the course, film will vary from course to course

Please bring along a pen and paper to each session.

Your teacher is Rocky Rose, an experienced scriptwriter and teacher, with a long list of film and TV credits. 

Here is a recent interview with Rocky…

Q:           How did you begin in this type of teaching?

A:           Early in 2023, I was one of ten Australian filmmakers to be selected to participate in the Platform: Labs creative program held at the Sydney Film Festival. This was an intensive that had filmmakers from all over the globe help participants with their projects that were to be pitched on stage at the festival after only five days of development. During the program, the facilitators were so impressed by my ability to articulate the writing, developing, and storytelling aspects of film and TV that they encouraged me to take steps towards a teaching role. So, I took that advice and have found the classes at CAE to be extremely rewarding. 

Q:           Do you have any memorable classroom moments you would like to share?

A:            During the final lesson of the Introduction to Screenwriting class we pitch our 6-week-old ideas to each other. A memorable moment was when one participant who had never written anything creative before pitched a film idea that had the room in awe. It was personal, powerful, touching, and exemplified how far you can come in six short weeks. Truly impressive! 

Q:            What are some other highlights you have enjoyed outside teaching?

A:             I recently worked as a script consultant on a Greek-Australian feature film from the award-winning writer/director Jason Raftopoulos (‘West of Sunshine) called Voices in Deep starring Angeliki Papoulia (The Lobster), which premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2023, and played In Competition at SxSW Sydney and the Thessaloniki Film Festival in Greece. What made this project amazing was that it was filmed during lockdown in Athens, and the development process was long and intense, so there was a huge sense of pride to see it completed and on the big screen at several film festivals. 

Q:            What kinds of courses do you offer?

A:            I currently offer two screenwriting short courses. ‘Introduction to Screenwriting’ takes participants through the entire development process of a feature film. From coming up with your concept, to 3-act structure, character development, theme, your first draft, and pitching your project. ‘Writing for TV’ is a little different, as the 6 weeks are designed to take participants through the process of creating a TV Pitch Bible. This document is essentially what you need to sell a TV show and includes your logline, format, genre, story engine, characters, and episode breakdowns. 

Q:            What can people expect from your classes?

A:             These workshop-style classes are designed for anyone of any level of writing ability. The collaborative nature and my teaching style is very much about embracing everyone’s love for different types of films and TV shows. However, the skills and principles of storytelling that are taught are transferrable to many industries, which is why I love teaching this class. The feedback has been that the tricks and tips to create a great story help participants in their everyday worlds: from marketing roles to social media, managerial positions, other writing projects and more. What’s been encouraging has also been the fact many participants continue to work on their projects after completing the course, collaborating with people they’ve met in the class, and have kept me updated on their progress. 

Q:             What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve been given?

A:              One participant told me after finishing the course that his wife had paid for the screenwriting short course as a Christmas present due to always wanting to write a screenplay but never doing it. He said he told her after the course was over it was the best Christmas present he’d ever gotten. It might just be the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me!