To take the class or not?

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blot12

New member
first time poster, but frequent browser to this forum. I've been reading some screenplay books that say what you need to get a story sold is a good script and to contact an agent.

I'm currently in college, and there are two classes I'm planning to take, one screenwriting analysis one (two hours long/twice a week, not under film but liberal arts department so its got some english and other elements in it) and one internship one (that goes over script coverage and how to contact agents and producers, one day/week 3 hrs).

So I'm kinda scared of taking these classes, because I feel they'll be a waste, and I could just spend my time developing my own ideas on my own and writing the screenplay. Or it could be some bs excuse to not take this advantage, because whenever I take a screenwriting course (never taken one), i let my nerves take over, and I'm so afraid that what I write will be trash that I drop the course? What do you think?

Instead I could take a lighter load (classes that meet for less hours) and write on my own time, the advantage is I take classes to pursue my other interest if screenwriting doesn't work out.

What do you think? Am I wussing out again? Should I take this courses or not? Advantageous or not, This is what I really want to know?

By the way I go to a school in Socal if that helps, but I don't think scripts are sold because of the uni you go to?
 
In my opinion, you should take as many classes and internships as possible related to what you want to do.

It can only help you.
 
Take the classes. This whole process of being a filmmaker/writer/director/etc. is a marathon not a sprint. Any education you get will help you in the long run. Yes, you will write trash. I write trash every single day and then I work the trash into something better. You have to challenge yourself and be scared all the time or you're not growing. Once you get too comfortable then you lose your edge...you stop moving forward...and you become part of the herd...stay ahead of the herd.

Not sure where you are taking classes, but I've seen the book for that analysis class (at a SoCal community college) and I thought it was a great book...and a great class. If you can analyze why a movie works then you will be better at analyzing what your scripts need in order to work.

Do it!
 
What is your major? Is this your career path? Can the credits count towards your degree, major, or are the courses added electives costing extra $ beyond your degree?
 
I was a film major. Funny enough, the worst grade I made in my department was a C in screenwriting. I made a C because I was such a damned perfectionist that I never made it past act one.
 
Take the screen analysis course over a few times so it will sink in. Any real waste would be in not understanding so take the course, wait and then take it again. To get over your fear try outlining at light speed so your mind and emotions don't get in the way. The outline is the story, the screenplay is ornamentation. The outline is where most of your effort goes. You need to focus on story; decorating comes later. Once you can create great outlines then go about learning all the writing stuff.
 
its a screen analysis course about adaptation of books? Will that be helpful?

What I want to ask is couldn't I really learn all these things from a book and keep on writing and find an agent on my own instead of doing these things. Wouldn't I save money doing this? Or do you think taking these classes will allow me to somehow make contacts?
 
blot12 said:
its a screen analysis course about adaptation of books? Will that be helpful?
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I don't think it is worth the tuition and time. Now if it was a screenwriting 101 course, to teach the basics of story structure...

blot12 said:
What I want to ask is couldn't I really learn all these things from a book and keep on writing and find an agent on my own instead of doing these things. Wouldn't I save money doing this?
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Absolutely. Read a couple of the top how-to screenwriting books, write loglines, structure a story, then write it into a screenplay. Lots of great help and advice here on this forum. Read Rob Tobin's book, Michael Hauge's book, Syd Field's book, and read about the 36 dramatic situations, and start generating log lines for story ideas. There are more in-depth books but starting out they might put you to sleep (like Robert McKee's classic book Story)

blot12 said:
...do you think taking these classes will allow me to somehow make contacts?
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No. Use your money for better things, like a wild week in Cancun this winter.
 
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Now that you have given us more info and details...the class may not be worthwhile. Yes you need to spend time writing...script after script until you are ready to pursue agents, producers, etc. with your material. Having a way to make a living is a wise decision. The odds are againt you making a living as a screenwriter, but if you have the drive and persistence to never stop writing and going for it then your chances increase dramatically.
 
Like others have said, these two classes may not be ideal, but just to play devil's advocate a little bit I'm going to say take them. Studying adaptation is smart because many, many screenplays come from existing material that writers are brought on to. The internship could be very valuable to - where is it, at a production company? While it almost 100% will not put you in front of someone who will buy your script right now, you will meet people in the industry and seeing how prodcos work from the inside is very valuable.

However, this is the main reason that I am suggesting taking these classes - it sounds to me like you're trying to convince yourself that you can make a succesful career doing this by completely isolating yourself and then one day magically turning the scripts youve written (that may not have even been read by others) into movies. I think this is one of the most damaging attitudes an aspiring screenwriter can have (and one that I myself entertained for some time).

You need to get comfortable going out into the world and putting your work out there, talking about your work, talking about films and screenplays in general with others who know what they're talking about. I don't know what the offerings at your school are like, but please, please take a writing class (even if its not screenwriting, take a short story class or anything as long as its creative writing). How are you going to land an agent or producer if you're so self conscious of your writing that you can't even put it up in front of peers in a relatively comfortable and safe academic setting? If there's literally no classes, or as a small stepping stone before youre ready to take a class, find someone else with the same interests as you and ask if they'll read your script.

Simply put, you must get more comfortable putting your work in front of people if you want to take screenwriting seriously. The classes could be valuable of their own merits (even if theyre not exactly what youre looking to do), but given what you've said, I think they may be a good way to ease into an actual screenwriting class - who knows, you might meet someone who you can convince to sign up with you.
 
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the internship class is not designed specifically for screenwriters, more for development (producers). do you still think it will be useful to take the course? In the description it says: learning about trends, what sells, what doesn't, and work would be reading trade articles, academic articles, and scripts. there will be script analysis also, and topics such as tracking spec sales, and how to contact agents, managers, and producers?

What do you guys think? Is this worthwhile for a screenwriter, or is it just something for producers (I'm more of a writer, don't want much to do with production and development). and can I do these things on my own, like read variety or movie industry articles and see agents that are selling scripts in my genre, and contacting them?
 
If you can afford the time and the money to spend on the class, then you should take it.

You never know where the best experiences are going to come from.
 
Not to be discouraging but I would take the internship. Trying to simply be a screenwriter is tough. Every agent wants their clients to be out there making it happen. You need to understand the whole business not just the creative side of it. You will be the one making contacts...making it happen. Agents don't want to represent writers that sit back and expect the agent to do the work. You will be involved in development. You need to expand your skills if you want to make it in the business. It's more about business than creating material. There are probably 60,000 scripts written every year...and maybe a few hundred being produced. You are competing with the best in the business. There are no minor leagues so learn everything you can about the business. You'll need every edge you can find.
 
because whenever I take a screenwriting course (never taken one), i let my nerves take over,
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And that's where you lost me.

Take the class. If you are worried that people are going to tear apart your script, get used to it - whatever happens in a class will be easy compared to the real world.

- Bill
 
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