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Based on Michael Tierno's bestselling book "Aristotle's Poetics for Screenwriters" this course aims to introduce screenwriters to the fundamentals of Hollywood storytelling and its roots in Greek tragedy. Beginning with Aristotle's Poetics as the foundation for all dramatic story theory, the course uses modern movie examples to demonstrate Aristotle's timeless principles of good screenwriting and invites students to try exercises to learn these techniques. It then draws upon modern narrative theory and culminates with further exercises structured in a way which gives screenwriters practical tools to fashion riveting stories that will move audiences.
This course will use the wisdom not only of Aristotle’s Poetics but will incorporate modern narrative theory as well. It is designed to take screenwriters from basic concept, through a log line, a draft of an action-idea, a treatment and finally culminating with a finished screenplay. Some of the areas the course will cover will be:
Classical story structure beginning with ancient Greek drama, and moving all the way through to modern narrative theory will be covered in a way that will give screenwriters fresh new tools to write scripts. Brainstorming techniques will be given, as well as deriving sources of inspiration, and tips on research, and work methods. The course will also take students through narrative theory based on semiotics, and structuralism. The course will also draw upon Tierno’s extensive background as a Hollywood story analyst and an independent filmmaker.
This course is also perfect for our students who have taken Introduction to Screenwriting or Screenwriting Basics, and want to go to the next level with their screenwriting!
Michael Tierno is a story analyst for IDT Entertainment, and has worked as a story analyst and consultant for Miramax and Dimension Films. He teaches screenwriting at School of Visual Arts, and is the writer/director of the award winning feature film AUDITIONS. He is also the author of the acclaimed book ARISTOTLE'S POETICS FOR SCREENWRITERS. "ARISTOTLE'S POETICS has become to Hollywood screenwriters what Sun-Tzu's THE ART OF WAR is to Mike Ovitz... 'It's 42 pages of simple, irrefutable truths and the best book on screenwriting,' says writer/director Garry Ross (PLEASANTVILLE), who used POETICS as a tect in classes he taught at UCLAand the University of Southern California." - Entertainment Weekly
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