Learn How To Write a Script at NYFA
For aspiring screenwriters with little or no experience, NYFA’s 12-Week Evening Feature Screenwriting Workshop offers a unique experience to work and study like a professional in a creative and focused environment.
Students create and write the first draft of a feature-length screenplay during this hands-on, in-person program, learning how to edit, rewrite, and apply creative feedback through in-class exercises and collaborative workshop sessions.
Workshop DescriptionWorkshop Name: 12-Week Evening Feature Screenwriting Workshop
At NYFA’s Screenwriting School, students are challenged to polish their natural writing talents and develop advanced screenwriting skills. Throughout NYFA’s 12-Week Evening Feature Screenwriting Workshop, students complete rigorous writing exercises, participate in one-on-one consultations with faculty, and receive critique and feedback from their peers, developing a feature-length screenplay of 90-120 pages.
To round out their education, students also study fundamental writing concepts and techniques. As this is a short-term program, the extent to which each student takes their work depends entirely on their dedication and pace. As the workshop’s goal is to finish with the first draft of an original screenplay, students need to commit fully to the program, budgeting additional daily and weekend hours for writing. Some classes may be held on Saturdays. During the program, students able to obtain a discounted download code of Final Draft software from the Bursar.
NYFA also offers the possibility to learn screenwriting from anywhere through a variety of online screenwriting workshops.
To learn more about NYFA’s screenwriting workshops, see NYFA’s Course Catalog or request more information.
CLASS DETAILS
Elements of Screenwriting
Through lectures, in-class exercises, outside readings, classroom discussions, and film viewings, this Area of Study introduces students to the craft of screenwriting. Screenplay formatting will be a major focus, and students will learn how to write scene description, to describe characters and locations, and to develop action sequences. Topics will also include: Classic screenplay structure, the Elements of the Scene, Developing the Character, Character Arcs, Antagonists, Dialogue, Writing the Visual Image, Introduction to Final Draft, Theme, Conflict, Flashbacks, Fantasy Sequences and Dream Sequences, Voiceover, Text and Subtext, Developing Your Writing Style, Tone and Genre, Visualization, Revealing Exposition, Creating a Compelling Second Act, Climaxes and Resolutions, and Scene Beats.
Feature Workshop
Feature Workshop is a fast-paced, intensive workshop that introduces students to the fundamentals of
screenwriting. The classes consist of in-class writing exercises, individual writing, reading aloud of student work in class, and workshop discussions. Students will apply knowledge gained from Elements of Screenwriting and apply it to the creation of their own feature-length scripts. Students will develop and write a first draft of a feature-length screenplay.
TIMES AND BREAKDOWN BY WEEK
This is a part-time program held in the evenings from:
- New York campus: 7 PM to 9:30 PM EST
- Los Angeles campus: 7:40 PM to 10:20 PM PST
To learn more, please request information.
NYFA’s 12-Week Evening Feature Screenwriting Workshop is currently available at NYFA New York and Los Angeles.
Students focus on one concept for a screenplay during the evening workshop, dedicating a majority of their time to shaping it into a compelling story. To learn more about the projects that students will complete at NYFA’s Screenwriting School, visit our projects page.
Please note: Equipment, curriculum, and projects are subject to change and may vary depending on location. Students should consult the most recently published campus catalog for the most up-to-date curriculum.