Screenwriting & Storytelling: Writing Your First Feature Film

Instructor: Jurri Schenck – MFA of USC Cinematic Arts – Production

Thursdays

3:00 – 4:30

For Junior High & High School Students (Ages 12+)
This year-long course introduces students to the art of cinematic storytelling and guides them through the process of writing the rough first draft of their own feature-length screenplay. Designed for junior high and high school students (ages 12+), the class combines creative writing with professional storytelling techniques used in film and television.

Students will learn story structure through Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, using Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey and The Wizard of Oz as a guide. They will also explore character archetypes using Victoria Lynn Schmidt’s 45 Master Characters, and study the emotional structure foundations of drama through Lajos Egri’s The Art of Dramatic Writing. In addition, students will learn storytelling insights from Pixar, examining how character, theme, and emotional arcs shape powerful stories.

Over two semesters, students will develop an original story idea, build compelling characters, learn screenplay format, and structure their story using proven storytelling frameworks.

Across two semesters, students will progress through the full writing process:

  • Developing story ideas and themes

     

  • Building compelling protagonists and antagonists

     

  • Designing character arcs and emotional stakes

     

  • Structuring a story using the Hero’s Journey

     

  • Learning screenplay format and scene construction

     

  • Writing dialogue and visual storytelling

     

  • Outlining and drafting a full screenplay

By the end of the course, each student will complete a rough first draft of a feature-length screenplay, gaining valuable skills in creativity, storytelling, and writing.

COST:  $300 per Semester  + 2 Books