Precollege Programs: Writing for Film

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Morning Sessions

Each day begins with a focused mini-lesson exploring a different element of screenwriting, such as character development, dialogue, or story structure. Following the lesson, students break into small groups to put these concepts into practice through short script exercises, allowing them to experiment, collaborate, and immediately apply what they have learned in a hands-on, creative setting.

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lunch

Weather permitting, lunch break with their Teaching Assistants, is usually eaten outside to enjoy the beautiful green space at Purchase College. This is a great time to re-charge for the afternoon by relaxing, playing games, and hanging out with new friends!

12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Afternoon Sessions

After lunch, students participate in a workshop session dedicated to developing their own scripts. During this time, they can ask questions, seek guidance, and receive individualized feedback from the instructor, allowing them to refine their ideas, overcome challenges, and strengthen their storytelling skills in a supportive, collaborative environment.

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Sharing and Feedback

At the end of the day, students will present their ideas/scripts to each other. Students will offer feedback to each other as well as constructive criticism for the works in progress which will be guided by the instructor.

• Computers will be available to students in the lab.
• Students may prefer to bring their own laptops, they may find that easier rather than trying to remember their login every day.
• Students will have access to their free screenwriting accounts on WriterDuet, both in the lab and from their home computers. This allows them to continue writing, revising, and experimenting with their scripts outside of class, giving them the flexibility to work at their own pace and further develop their storytelling skills.

• Anatomy & format of a screenplay
• Character Development
• Plot Structure
• Theme
• Conflicts
• World building
• Tone
• Visual Storytelling
• Arcs
• Subtext

On the final day of the program, students will present their scenes and scripts. Family, friends, and invited guests will have the opportunity to see the growth, creativity, and the skills students have cultivated over the duration of the program.

By the end of the course, students will have created a short script they may elect to further develop.