Want to learn how to write movie screenplays? This 2-day course is the ideal starting point.
Led by AFTRS Screenwriting lecturer and Cracking Yarns blogger, Allen Palmer, you’ll build the foundation of your craft by covering concept, character, story structure, scenes and dialogue. (www.crackingyarns.com.au)

You’ll be introduced to the 12 steps of the Hero’s Journey illustrated with inspiring clips from films as diverse as Dead Poets Society and Groundhog Day, Schindler’s List and Little Miss Sunshine, Brokeback Mountain and The Hangover.

You will have an opportunity to get feedback on your movie ideas and to collaborate on a brief scene-writing exercise. However you don’t need a film concept to participate and the course is popular with producers keen to enhance their understanding of story. Your screenwriter’s journey starts here.

“Allen was awesome. Created a good energy in class. Very giving. Very positive. Knows structure inside out. Fantastic.”

“I’ve been to a few screenwriting seminars with overseas teachers and Allen’s was much better”

“Perfect course. Great introduction to screenwriting.”

Suggested reading:
Chris Vogler The Writer’s Journey
Joseph Campbell The Power of Myth
Cracking Yarns screenwriting blog

Suggested viewing:
Dead Poets Society
Groundhog Day
The King’s Speech

Course outline:

Day 1 Saturday
Session 1. Introduction
Why do people watch movies. The 4 fundamentals of storytelling. 3 Act Structure. Syd Field. Robert McKee. What Joseph Campbell discovered. Chris Vogler. Overview of the Hero’s Journey. The Hero’s Inner Journey.

Session 2. The Hero’s Journey – Act 1
1. Ordinary World. 2. Call to Adventure (Inciting incident). 3. Refusal of the Call. 4. Meeting with the Mentor. 5. Crossing the First Threshold (First Act Turning Point).

Session 3. The Hero’s Journey – Act 2
6. Tests, Allies & Enemies. 7. The Approach. 8. The Ordeal (Midpoint). The key moment of the second act your film MUST have. 9. The Reward.

Session 4. The Hero’s Journey – Act 3
10. The Road Back (or Act 2 Turning Point). 11. The Resurrection or Climax. 12. Return with the Elixir (or Denouement).

Day 2 Sunday
Session 5. Concept
Why concept matters. Loglines. A chance to share your story ideas.

Session 6. Character
Plot or character more important? How to build great characters. Traits. Contradictions. Details. Connection. Flaw. Character arcs.

Session 7. Scene writing & dialogue.
Elements of a great scene. What is “on the nose” dialogue? What is subtext? Mise en Scene. Collaborative scene writing exercise.

Session 8. From concept to first draft
Logline. 3 Sentences. 6 Tent poles. Sequences. Beat sheets. Scene cards. Outlines. Treatments. Screenwriting software. Routine. Agents and funding. Q&A.Share your scenes.

*DISCLAIMER* AFTRS reserves the right to cancel any course for any reason at any time. In the event of a course being cancelled a full refund of course fees will be provided. For more information on AFTRS Open’s policies please see
our policies page.