English 4920: Introduction to Screenwriting
Instructor: Mary Lewis
Course description
This Special Topics course focuses on writing for film.
Students will be expected to produce original work every week – including several scenes, a 15-minute screenplay and a 30-minute screenplay. They will read their work aloud in class, and respond to each other’s work.
Students will also be asked to read specific screenplays to explore various facets.
Class discussions will cover:
- Introduction/genres
- Concept/subject/theme
- Structure
- The Plot Point within the three act structure
- Exposition
- The protagonist
- Character and building the character
- The Scene
- The principle of conflict
- Endings and beginnings: setup and payoffs
- Outline-treatment-first draft-pitch
- After it’s written, getting it read and into development
About Mary Lewis
Mary Lewis is a film-maker, writer, actress and director whose numerous film and TV credits represent participation on both sides of the camera. Her achievements include:
- When Ponds Freeze Over, which she wrote, produced, directed, animated and edited, received a Genie Award and Best Short Film Awards in Toronto, Vancouver, Atlantic, and Laguna Beach International Film Festivals, as well as a Best Editing Award from the Atlantic Film Festival.
- Clothesline Patch, which she directed, won a Gemini Award and Best Short Film Awards at San Jose's Cinequest, Dawson City, and Chicago International Film Festivals.
- The Sparky Book, which she wrote, produced, directed, animated and edited, won Best Screenplay at Flicks International Children’s Film Festival; and the Golden Sheaf Best Experimental Film Award from Yorkton International Film Festival.
A Memorial University of Newfoundland alumna, Mary is also a graduate of Le Petit Seminaire de Quebec and the Canadian Film Centre Director’s Program and Short Film Program.
To register
Enrolment is by portfolio. Students do not need to have written a screenplay before, but should be able to demonstrate writing ability. Please provide either 5-10 pages of fiction, or 10-15 pages of screenplay, or a combination thereof.
Portfolios can be dropped of at the English Department Main Office, A-3026; or emailed to english@mun.ca. Please indicate that you are applying for English 4920: Creative Writing – Intro to Screenwriting.
