Program start date | Application deadline |
2024-07-10 | - |
Program Overview
This online course, led by professional screenwriter Ben van der Veen, teaches the art of writing compelling biographical films (biopics). Students explore the structure, character development, and scriptwriting techniques of biopics, culminating in an outline and beat sheet for their own biopic script. The course also covers the pitching process and career opportunities for biopic writers.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This course teaches students how to write powerful biographical films (biopics). It is ideal for writers with some understanding of the structure of feature films. The course covers the hallmarks of effective biopics, the conventions of the biopic as a dramatic form, and how to convert real-life stories into feature film scripts using established script structures. Students will leave the class with an outline and beat sheet for a biopic they would like to write.
Outline:
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Biopics
- What is a biopic?
- Why do audiences love biopics?
- The different types of biopics
- Lesson 2: The Structure of a Biopic
- The three-act structure
- The inciting incident
- The rising action
- The climax
- The falling action
- The resolution
- Lesson 3: Character Development in Biopics
- The importance of creating a well-developed protagonist
- The different ways to develop a character
- The use of flashbacks and flashforwards
- Lesson 4: Writing the Biopic Script
- The importance of research
- The different ways to structure a biopic script
- The use of dialogue and narration
- Lesson 5: The Pitching Process
- How to pitch a biopic script
- The different ways to get your script noticed
- The importance of networking
Assessment:
Students will be assessed on their participation in class discussions, their completion of assignments, and their final project. The final project will be a biopic script that students will write throughout the course.
Teaching:
The course will be taught by Ben van der Veen, a professional screenwriter and director. The class will be held online via Zoom.
Careers:
This course can help students develop the skills they need to write biopics for film and television. Biopic writers can work for production companies, studios, or as freelancers. They can also work on a variety of projects, from historical dramas to comedies to documentaries.