SCREENPLAY WRITING COURSE, FTII Framework and Methodolo !

Framework The Screenplay Writing Course at FTII is a professional training course. Its overriding objective is to prepare students to become professional screenwriters, with enough understanding of and grip on the craft to be able to write screenplays on a wide range of stories in all genres for Indian as well as international cinema. They will also be trained to write for other mass media and narrative formats, including television, documentaries, as well as advertising and corporate films. !nderlying this approach, and powering it, is the urge for creative e"pression that each student tries to fulfill. #owever, our approach to training will be different from that of the typical $merican film school %with its clear emphasis on the #ollywood mainstream script& or the 'ast 'uropean style of film training %which leans towards alternative cinema&. We have tried to amalgamate the strengths of both these models into our curriculum and training approach, with a (een eye on Indian popular cinema as well. Feature films are a medium of telling stories. 'very screen writing aspirant is a storyteller, who has come here to learn the craft of doing so in the cinematic medium. We intend to offer a lot of creative space to students, and encourage them to e"plore their individuality, discover their own stories, develop their own narrative styles and locate their uni)ue voices. We believe that this can happen if they receive education in the universal principles of storytelling, including those found in age*old myths and fables and classics, which have stood the test of time across cultures. This, combined with intensive training in screen writing principles, with the aid of fine e"amples of great scripts from India and the world will form the bul( of our instruction. We believe that if aspiring screenwriters understand and introject these principles, it frees up the uni)ue writer in each one. Training in the craft of modern screen writing will be rigorous, starting with the $ristotelean structural model and the classical approach. Instruction in theory will total about +,-*+.- hours over four semesters. $part from this, students will participate in over ,-- hours of wor(shops, most of them dealing with their own writing. /y and large, we have tried to design the time*table in such a way that the topic of the lecture corresponds with the stage of writing that the students are at.

Methodolo ! There will be si" aspects to the course. a. b. c. d. e. f. a. 0egular writing Theory lectures Class wor(shops on students1 wor( Film viewing and script analyses 0eading and boo( analyses Interaction with professional screenwriters 0egular writing2 The purpose of the course is not just to teach them how to write, but to actually get them to write regularly. This will help them to e"perience the creative challenges and satisfaction that come with being writers. 3ne important factor that is seriously emphasi4ed is self*discipline and productivity. The targets set for screen writing students are ambitious, but we believe that such an approach will help them enhance their own capacities. 5ia regular wor(shops, as well as by one*on*one interaction, the #36 and the Course Coordinator will monitor and supervise the students1 wor( at every stage. $ couple of film industry professionals too will be invited to give individual feedbac( on students7 wor( at different stages. The Course Coordinator will ensure that the time*table set for these assignments is adhered to strictly.

b. Theory lectures2 Students will receive screen writing theory instruction totally over +8- hours. The lectures will involve a lot of interaction as students will be encouraged to participate actively. Where useful and relevant, film clips will be shown to elucidate a point. For certain speciali4ed topics, leading professionals and guest lecturers will be invited from India and abroad. c. Wor(shops2 There will be two (inds of wor(shops. 3ne, where the professor of screen writing will conduct discussions on students1 wor( at various stages of their scriptwriting in class. From idea9theme9premise to story to character to treatment to step* outline to final screenplay. 'ach student1s wor( will also be analy4ed and discussed by other students in class, moderated by the professor. The wor(shops will ordinarily cover an average of : hours a wee(, if not more. Two, where specialists will be called in

to conduct wor(shops on particular aspects of the subject. 3n narrative traditions, on myth and music, on different styles of writing, on different approaches to structure, etc. d. 0eading and boo( analyses2 Students will not only have to compulsorily read some essential screen writing te"ts, but will also be encouraged to e"plore the subject further via interesting boo(s on screen writing. 'ach student will be as(ed to read, study and ma(e a presentation to the class on three boo(s through the year. These may include one screen writing or related te"t plus literary classics %including mythological epics& of his9her choice from the suggested list, in any language. %;lease see $nne"ure for a list of screen writing te"ts and other recommended boo(s. This is an open list and suggestions from students are welcome.& The course puts a lot of emphasis on the need to read good literature not just for inspiration but also to enrich one1s imagination from where all stories spring. Film viewing and script*analyses2 Students will be viewing on an average of one film every wee( in class. 'very wee(, one student will be assigned the film that he9she will analyse in depth, based on the guidelines recommended. For this, s9he will first write out the entire beat sheet of the film and distribute it in advance to the class. $fter the viewing, s9he will lead the discussion, moderated by the professor. %;lease see $nne"ure for a list of proposed films. We will be adding to this off and on. Suggestions from students are welcome.& Interaction with professional screenwriters2 We intend to regularly invite practicing screenwriters from India, and even abroad. Interacting with established professionals, who may bring their films along and who will be happy to share their professional as well as creative e"periences, will be inspiring for our students.

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