BEIJING - With the State Administration of Radio Film and Television offering RMB500,000 for "more sophisiticated scripts," a new school promises to teach film students how to cash in on the offer.
Jingmeng Zhuangao Xuehui (憬梦撰稿学会) offers an 8-week course in writing for the stage and screen intended primarily for college-age students, but open to anyone looking for more inspiration or creativity. The course includes 24 hours of classroom instruction plus additional workshop hours, and meets once a week for three hours in locations in Wudaokou and Guomao. Topics include story, structure, character, conflict, metaphor, ideation, revision, and craft.
"People kept asking me for my advice on their scripts and stories, so I decided to teach a class," says Peter Walters, Beijing-based screenwriter and course instructor. "I love writing, and I love talking about writing. If I can help someone get their script started or finished, I'm happy." A former journalist and writing instructor in America and China, Walters is currently writing a two film scripts set in China, a number of TV scripts, and is co-authoring a book on narrative semiotics.
Rounding out the teaching team is Christopher Ruggles, an American film producer and Beijing-based Arts Director, who previously taught subjects ranging from Latin, literature, Classics, and film at Yale, Northwestern, and Beijing Broadcasting University. "I'm happy to be working with Peter," says Ruggles. "Our primary goal is to develop talent and empower people to transfer their cultural experienes to the stage and screen."
While students will focus primarily on short scripts (10-30 pages), graduates of the 8-week course may receive additional mentoring on full-length scripts. Two production companies attached to the school may option or produce students' work through all stages of production. All classes are taught in English.
For more information visit jingzhuanxue.com.
English: 135.2214.8109
汉语: 139.1103.9985
Press Release: New school offers scriptwriting course
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