DATE: 3/4/22 and 3/11/23
TIME: 9:00am - 1:00pm
LOCATION: Plaza Theatre
INSTRUCTORS: Ruckus & Lane Skye
PRICE: EARLY REGISTRATION BOTH CLASSES: $90 NON MEMBERS | $72 ATLFS MEMBERS — Now until February 20th
STANDARD REGISTRATION BOTH CLASSES: $120 NON MEMBERS | $96 ATLFS MEMBERS — February 21st to March 4th (Day of first event)
Thriller! Horror! Action! Fantasy! Sci-fi! In this two-part series of screenwriting classes, seasoned genre filmmakers Ruckus and Lane Skye give students the hands-on resources they need to develop and expand their story-telling skills in the world of writing for feature-length genre film. Designed for beginning to intermediate students looking to raise their game or overcome current limitations.
Perhaps you've written short films, but are daunted by the thought of a longer form? Or maybe you've written two or three feature-length scripts, but are not satisfied with the results and need a leg up?
Each class focuses on a specific area of screenwriting, designed to be complete and insightful as a standalone learning experience. If you only need help in one of those areas, go for that one. However, the two classes build on each other and together show the complete approach Ruckus and Lane use with every project they write. Pick the class that's right for you, or save money by registering for both classes together!
GENRE FEATURE SCREENWRITING 1: STRUCTURE
DATE: 3/4/23
TIME: 9:00am - 1:00pm
PRICE: EARLY REGISTRATION SINGLE CLASS: $60 NON MEMBERS | $48 ATLFS MEMBERS — Now until February 20th
STANDARD REGISTRATION SINGLE CLASS: $80 NON MEMBERS | $64 ATLFS MEMBERS — February 21st to March 4th (Day of event)
Many screenwriters early in their journey find they are great at writing compelling scenes but feel challenged when laying out a feature-length narrative that builds to a satisfying end. In this class, Ruckus and Lane will discuss tools and techniques to overcome that obstacle. Focus is entirely on building a solid story structure before you start typing the screenplay.
Genre Feature Screenwriting 1: Structure walks students through the beginning stages of the screenwriting process. From initial idea to fully fleshed-out treatment, this class covers everything that Ruckus and Lane do to get them from the first spark of an idea all the way to being ready to type "Fade in." These are the methods they use to break story, craft characters, track character arcs, and create set pieces.
The Skyes' preparation for typing their scripts includes many intermediary documents that are not screenplays but help them craft their stories. Ruckus and Lane will share downloadable, real-world examples of these documents from their own projects, including produced films they've written (Becky, The Devil To Pay, Rattle The Cage).
The session will include live, in-class examples with student participation and plenty of Q&A throughout.
Topics of discussion:
Concepting: Starting with plot or character
Theme: Using genre to explore ideas
Loglines: Using them as a north star
World Building: Creating an authentic playground for your characters
Note cards: The least painful rewrite
Character arcs: How your protagonist grows and changes
Plot: Crafting it through character
Pacing and Tone: Managing flow of action and dialing in a consistent story voice
Set-pieces: Use them to develop character and reveal inner truths
Endings: Building toward them, so they surprise and satisfy
Treatments: A beat-by-beat overview of your entire story in prose form
If you want to increase your understanding and strengthen your skills in feature-length genre story structure, this class is for you!
GENRE FEATURE SCREENWRITING 2: SCENE WORK
DATE: 3/11/23
TIME: 9:00am - 1:00pm
PRICE: EARLY REGISTRATION SINGLE CLASS: $60 NON MEMBERS | $48 ATLFS MEMBERS — Now until February 27th
STANDARD REGISTRATION SINGLE CLASS: $80 NON MEMBERS | $64 ATLFS MEMBERS — February 28th to March 11th (Day of event)
Do you have a solid structure but want to make sure your descriptions pop, your dialog sparkles, and your word craft keeps the reader turning the page? Genre Feature Screenwriting 2: Scene Work is an in-depth look at the nitty-gritty detail of the actual words on the page, covering all the skills and tools you need to make it from the first scene to a complete draft ready to be read by collaborators.
Ruckus and Lane will share downloadable, real-world examples of scenes from screenplays they have written, including produced films (Becky, The Devil To Pay, Rattle The Cage). Students will also watch the finished version of scenes from those films for a script-to-screen comparison.
The session will include live, in-class examples with student participation and plenty of Q&A throughout.
Topics of discussion:
Getting into and out of scenes
Building turns and reveals in scenes
Transitions between scenes
Crafting dialogue unique to each character
Visual story-telling without dialogue
Adding spice and drama to utilitarian or expository scenes
Writing beats that scare and thrill
Finding your own style on the page
Writing for readability
Writing for length and page-count
Camera and actor direction on the page
If you want to increase your understanding and strengthen your skills in feature-length genre scene work, this class is for you!
ATLFS offers a maximum of 2 scholarships per class offering and are awarded on an as-needed basis. Scholarships cover 100% of the cost of registration. Please note that this scholarship is intended for Female Filmmakers, Black Filmmakers, and Students.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED
Questions about theses classes? Ruckus and Lane will gladly answer them! Contact them at ruckusandlane@atlantafilmfestival.com
Refund request must be emailed to boxoffice@atlantafilmsociety.org 7 days prior to the date of event unless specified in the event description.