In this two-hour introductory seminar, filmmakers will learn the basics of narrative story structure that can be directly applied to short and feature film scripts, as well as more loosely applied to documentary film.
The ability to be able to write and edit in long-form film, in particular, is greatly improved with a sound understanding of narrative story structure concepts.
Topics to be covered include:
- The basics of three (and five) act structure
- The differences between a main character, a protagonist, an antagonist and an anti-hero
- How to know when you’ve completed your acts I, II and III
- The importance of plot point that occurs at the exact middle of your film
- How to get from pgs 60 to 90 (the hardest part of feature film scriptwriting)
- Sub plots and how to work them into your structure
- Standard script steps requested, including synopsis, treatment, step outline and script
- Low budget considerations, including when and where your film is set, the number of locations and the number of exterior scenes
Free for members / $20 non-members (Advanced registration required)
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Cecilia Araneda holds a BFA (hons) in playwriting from York University and a MFA in screenplay writing from UBC, where she studied under renowned television writer and producer Hart Hanson. Araneda is additionally an accomplished filmmaker, with her films having been selected for screening at venues such as the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma, Ann Arbor Festival, The Images Festival, Visions du Réel, and Festival de Cine de Huesca, among others. Her first novel, The Ocean, was released in 2012. Araneda has additionally served as Executive Director of the Winnipeg Film Group & Cinematheque since 2006 and is a co-founder of the WNDX festival, which was established in 2005.
