“Lessons from Screenwriting: Creating Compelling Scenes” with Beverly Chukwu
May 18, 2024 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
$59.00 – $119.00
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This Event is for Members only.
Click here to learn more about benefits of membership
$59 for Members
$119 for Non-Members
Can’t make it to the live class? No problem! This class will be recorded and made available to class registrants until June 30.
Many writers have been taught that no scene is greater than the sum of its parts. To some extent, this is true. However, one of the key components for creating compelling forward action in your writing is hidden in the scenes themselves.
Each scene in your script, play, story, or novel must have its own momentum, a tiny arc that plays into the larger story arc of your project. In this course, we’ll take a look at the ways scenes are utilized to make the most compelling narrative journeys in screenplays. You’ll not only analyze what makes a great scene, but you’ll also get the chance to make your own short two-scene sequence that will get you to think about the relationship between scene and narrative “flow.”
This is a class for writers of all disciplines. Whether you’re an emerging screenwriter, a short story writer, a novelist, or a playwright, this course will empower you with the tools for elevating your writing. A compelling scene isn’t a story, but a compelling scene has the power to shift momentum and shape your reader’s relationship with your work; scenes keep them excited!
TAKE THIS CLASS IF
- You’re writing a novel, short stories, or screenplays.
- You’d like to make your scenes more powerful and dynamic.
- You’re starting a new project.
- You’re an emerging writer, looking to understand the foundation for creating good scenes.
- You’re a writer of any genre who wants to elevate the narrative momentum of your current work-in-progress.
The deadline to register for this class is Friday, May 17 at 5:00 PM CST.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The WLT is committed to making our online classes accessible to all writers including writers who do not have the financial means to pay for programming. Five (5) seats in this class have been set aside for scholarship recipients to attend free of charge. Please fill out this application no later than 2 days prior to the class to be considered for one of the scholarship seats. We do not ask for any corroborating documents; we only ask that you help us understand your situation. If you are selected for one of the available seats you will be notified via email (from wlt@writersleague.org) no later than 24 hours before the start of the class. Please note, each writer is limited to no more than four (4) total scholarship seats per catalog season.
Instructor
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Beverly “Bev” Chukwu is a Nigerian American writer, director, and script consultant. Her projects have screened at the African Film Festival Atlanta; Women in Horror Film Festival; Cine Las Americas; AGLIFF; and more. Along with her achievements as a filmmaker, including a “Best First-Time Director” award at the Portland New Alternative Voices Festival, Bev’s screenplay Prince of Lavendale Street was the feature winner in the 2021 BlueCat Screenplay Competition, and her video essay “Sometimes Black” is now used as educational material at the University of Texas at Austin. She has spent over seven years working in various mental health arenas and nearly a year providing behavior therapy to neurodivergent youth and adults. Bev has received fellowships from the Black List x WIF Episodic Lab; Google’s YouTube Originals Black Voices Creator Program, which also provided financial support for her narrative short film “Princess”; and the James A. Michener Center for Writers, where she received an MFA in screenwriting and fiction.
For over three years, Bev served as a Development Executive for Pipeline Media, reading and elevating the work of writers worldwide. Bev continues to advocate for filmmakers as EA to the Head of Film and Creative Media at the Austin Film Society and through her relationships teaching for the nationally acclaimed Torch Literary Arts, the Writers League of Texas, Austin Bat Cave, and other local non-profits.
Before purchasing, please read all policies as noted below and on our Accessibility and Policies page.
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Anti-Harassment Policy
The Writers’ League of Texas is dedicated to providing harassment-free spaces for everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment in any form. Violating these rules may result in expulsion from WLT programs without a refund at the discretion of the WLT staff.
Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- Comments that reinforce social structures of domination (related to gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, age, or religion);
- Sexual images not appropriate for the specific subject of the public discussion;
- Deliberate intimidation or stalking;
- Harassing photography or recording;
- Sustained disruption of discussions or other events;
- Unwelcome sexual attention;
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior.
Enforcement
Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, event organizers retain the right to take any actions to keep the event a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. Event organizers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules during all events and event-related social activities.
Reporting
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Reports can also be made via email at wlt@writersleague.org. We’ll handle any and all reports as respectfully as possible. You won’t be asked to confront anyone, and we won’t tell anyone who you are.
Accessibility Policy
Closed captioning is available for all online classes and special events.
The WLT is committed to making its programs & services accessible to all writers. Please contact us at wlt@writersleague.org or at 512-499-8914 for more information or to discuss accommodations you may need.
Credit Card Transaction Handling Fee Policy
All credit card transactions will incur a 4% handling fee. If you’d prefer to pay by check for membership, a class, or an event, you can use the provided forms on the membership or event pages and mail to: WLT, P.O. Box 14355, Austin, TX, 78704.
Writers’ League of Texas classes and workshops are also funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts – Investing in a Creative Texas. For more information, go to www.arts.texas.gov.