Explore the Possibilities Writing Instruction

Writing Instruction

COURSES AT CONCORDIA

This summer ... Intro to Creative Writing (FULL) , Writing a Novella, Writing Children's Literature ... for registration info, click here.

ADVANCED WORKSHOPS

 

ONE-MINUTE STORIES

In this three-hour workshop, we'll look at how to craft a story in just one page. Short scripts are great calling cards and can easily lead into production collaborations.

 

Prerequisite:

Elizabeth Johnston's Basic Screenwriting Seminar, or

Scriptwriting Course (Concordia ContEd)

 

DATE: 29 April

TIME:  6 to 9pm

FEE:    $40

FILM ADAPTATION

A two-part workshop that will analyze how to adapt a story to film. In the first part, we'll look at excerpts from a film and compare it to the story it was adapted from. In the second part, we'll try our hand at adapting a segment of a short story into a scene, and workshop the results.

Pre-requisite:

Scriptwriting Course (Concordia ContEd)

 

DATES:  13 & 20 May 

TIME:     6 to 9pm

FEE:       $75 


DIALOGUE CLINIC

This intensive workshop is a continuation of principles introduced during the basic screenwriting seminar and the course at Concordia. Participants will do in-class exercises and workshop them. Workshopping previously written dialogue excerpts is also a possibility. This clinic is also useful for writers of fiction.

 

Pre-requisite:

Scriptwriting Course (Concordia ContEd), or

Creative Writing Course (ContEd), or

Novella Course (ContEd)

 

DATE:  23 June

TIME:   6 to 9pm

FEE:     $40



REGISTRATION DETAILS

For the Advanced & Basic Workshops of Spring 2009:

The deadline is noon, 22 April, for all workshops, and there must be a minimum of four people in each one. So, pick up your pens and prepare for some fun!
 
See the note below about rebates for taking two or more workshops. Please also note that all workshop fees are non-refundable. (The only exception is if I have to cancel the workshop due to lack of enrolment.) However, if the course runs and you can't take it, you can take the workshop when it runs again, within a year of your initial registration.


BASIC
WORKSHOPS

MONTREAL BASIC SCREENWRITING
 

Seminar Description Below

Date:
  Saturday, June 20 

Time:
  10am to 4pm 

Registration
 Deadlines:
 
Early: June 5, Noon, $95
Final: June 17, Noon, $125

NEXT SEMINAR WILL BE FALL 2009. SIGN UP FOR THE ETP NEWSLETTER OR BECOME A FAN ON FACEBOOK TO RECEIVE REGULAR UPDATES.

Basic Screenwriting
Seminar

Learn the basics in just one day!

  • structure
  • characterization
  • dialogue
  • and more.

Get the tools you need to write your own film in whatever genre you're interested.

No previous experience in screenwriting is needed.
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For payment methods,
see the bottom of this page.

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8-WEEK
SCREENWRITING COURSE


Over the course of eight weeks, participants will learn the basics of narrative screenwriting.

 

You'll learn about characters and characterization, narrative structure, visualization, story boarding, dialogue, and script formatting.

 

In-class exercises and take-home writing assignments will lead you step by step to the completion of your own short script, in whatever genre you're interested in. 

DATES: 
Tuesdays, 28 April to 16 June

TIME:     7 to 9pm

FEE:       $170  



8-WEEK
POETRY WORKSHOP

During this exploration of poetry, we'll try our hand at different traditional forms as well as free form poetry. We'll learn about language, images, sound, movement and shaping in our poems.  

 

No previous experience in writing poetry is required for this workshop, but it can also benefit those who have been dabbling in poetry, too.

 

The format for this session will be workshopping poems based on in-class assignments and take-home exercises. By the end of the eight weeks, the participant can expect to have written, workshopped and rewritten at least six poems.

 

DATES:
Mondays, 27 April to 22 June

(no class April 18th, Victoria Day)

TIME:   7 to 9pm

FEE:     $170

TORONTO BASIC SCREENWRITING 
 

Date:  Saturday, September 27 

Time:  10am to 5pm 

Location:  483 Church St.

Registration Deadline:  Sep 19, Noon
  
Fee: 
$125

 

Is a WRITING COACH for you?

Would you benefit from: Guidance, Structure, Encouragement, Inspiration ?

With a writing coach, all aspects of screenwriting instruction are tailored to your unique script. It's a practical, hands-on process. Strengths and weaknesses are highlighted in the writing coach experience so that you can see what you're doing well and where you need to improve.

To enquire about hourly and reading fees, contact Elizabeth for more information at information [at] explore-the-possibilities [dot] com.



MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION

Do you have an idea for a film or already have a script written? Wonder if it's got legs?

A detailed evaluation of your script or treatment can give you the answer.

For the $150 script evaluation fee, Elizabeth Johnston will evaluate your properly-formatted treatment (maximum 20 pages) or script (not longer than 100 pages).  Additional script pages are subject to a reading fee of $1/page, $2/page for treatment pages.

Script Evaluation includes: one page of typed comments, an annotated script, and a 30-minute discussion session. (The discussion can be in person or, via e-mail.)
 
Evaluation of creative writing and poetry is also available.  Inquire for more information.

If you're ready to have your work seriously evaluated, and if you're ready to hear constructive criticism geared toward improvements in your work, then e-mail Elizabeth Johnston at information at explore-the-possibilities.com

 



Payment Methods:


1.  Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.
2.  Cheques -- E-mail for further instructions.
3.  Cash -- E-mail to make special arrangements.

Refund Policy:

1. If you change your mind up to four weeks before the start of any seminar or workshop, refunds less $40 will happily be given.
2. If you change your mind up to two weeks before the start of any seminar or workshop, a refund less $60 will happily be given.
3. Or, you can wait until the next seminar or workshop series.
4. There are no refunds for manuscript evaluations or personal consultations.