John Truby Master Class - art of screenwriting, scriptwriting, development of the character

Is there a magic formula for writing a good story ?
No, of course not.
A good story is above all a gigantic work of the imagination. And then some experience and some talent. A lot of reflection and self-sacrifice… And yet many other things.

Everyone agrees today, however, there are certain keys, tools that can help move you forward on the long and tortuous path to writing a successful screenplay.

Since 1985, John Truby seeks to dissect and analyze the mechanisms of the drama. Based on his experience of script-doctor and consultant for the most important American studios (see biography), he will teach you in four days the result of its experience and reflection.

Through this training provided worldwide, you’ll discover a unique and unprecedented approach to the major principles of drama. This approach puts special emphasis on questions of structure, emotional and moral development of characters and the importance of genres.

Truby's 22-Step Story Structure paradigm for instance, is the most modern, exciting approach to storytelling to be developed this generation. This approach is flexible and dynamic, and enhances stories that have been written for the 21st century.
John Truby’s tools for writing are considered in America to be the most advanced and the easiest to understand. No screenwriting instructor works with more established writers…

THE PROGRAM

DAY ONE - Creating A Dynamic Structure
9.30 am to 6.15 pm – 1 hour break for lunch

- How to find the perfect structure
- 3 Confusions that hurt writers
- Uncovering the myth of 3-act story structure
- 7 Steps to deep structure
- Creating the single driving force
- Three variations to classic story structure
- Key weaknesses of myth, fairy tale, and drama
- Seven steps to a great premise
- Building the hero from the ground up
- How the character web works
- True character change and how to write it
- 5 Major character changes
- Keys to the perfect opponent
- Sequencing the moral elements of the story

DAY TWO - Creating A Dynamic Story
9.30 am to 6.15 pm – 1 hour break for lunch

- The 22 building blocks of every great script
- Pacing by character growth, not page number
- Creating the visual world
- Using the subplot
- Setting the tag line
- Building the reveals
- Choosing the right story shape
- Creating the strong middle
- The trick to scene sequencing
- How to write 3-track dialogue
- Secrets of building the scene
- Dialogue that increases the conflict

DAY THREE - Keys for TV drama / Understanding genres
9.30 am to 6.15 pm – 1 hour break for lunch

- TV medium vs. the film medium
- How to construct a successful series
- 4-corner opposition in TV
- The top TV genres and how to transcend them
- Keys to a successful police procedural
- Secrets to the success of Mad Men

- Secrets of Action, Comedy, Crime, Detective, Fantasy, Horror, Love, Masterpiece, Myth, Science Fiction, Thriller and Mixed Genre
- What each genre really means
- The central theme of each form
- 3 ways to handle genre and which one is best
- Key structure points for each genre
- Mixing genres: the best strategy for blockbusters
- Bending the genre rules for originality

DAY FOUR - Advanced techniques
9.30 am to 6.15 pm – 1 hour break for lunch

Advanced screenwriting means creating complex characters, inventing your own story structures, transcending classic genres to create something truly original, playing with non-chronological time, changing point of view, and placing the hero within a highly detailed world and system…
High level techniques for professional writers, this class is a must.

- 3 Main Structural Elements in Masterpiece Story
- Problems in the Advanced Premise
- Beyond 22 Steps – the Unique Story Beats
- Creating Advanced Characters - Individualizing Archetypes
- Creating the Advanced Story World
- Beyond Linear – Masterpiece Story Forms
- Crosscut
- The Storyteller Form
- How to Write the Myth-Drama and Fairy Tale-Drama Combinations
- Transcending the Drama Form
- Transcending the Comedy Form
- Writing Masterpiece Scenes
- Advanced Techniques Every Writer Must Know
- Openings and Closings
- Creating the Thematic Revelation
- The Never-Ending Story