Story Analysis Archives

Dramatica:
A Revolutionary New Approach to Storytelling for Writers

UCLA Syllabus & Homework Assignments

Once again, Screenplay Systems, Inc. will be conducting another Dramatica course for the UCLA Extension program.

Join Melanie Anne Philips and Chris Huntley, creators of the highly publicized and praised software Dramatica, in an eye-opening course of this revolutionary way of looking at story and the practical tools it provides. Based on the notion that every complete story is a model of the mind's problem-solving process, this exciting new theory of writing is being used by aspiring and practicing screenwriters alike to write and improve their scripts.

The main areas covered in this course include the 12 essential questions every writer should know about story; objective and subjective characters; story forming--creating a blueprint for your story; story encoding--communicating through images and scenarios; theme--an argument, not a premise; plot--the internal logistics of your story; story weaving --the order in which exposition unfolds; genre; and reception--what an audience brings to the story experience. Students receive free of charge a version of the Dramatica software, the Writer's DreamKit, so they can immediately apply what they learn in class--moving their stories from concept to completion by the end of the course.

About The Instructors...

Melanie Anne Phillips:

Co-Creator of Dramatica: Former Director of Research and Development at Screenplay Systems. Prior to her association with Screenplay Systems, Melanie amassed some 200 credits in non-union film production, including the directing of two independent features, editing of features and larger budget industrials, and writing work for various productions ranging from features to television
commercials.

Chris Huntley:

Along with Stephen Greenfield, Chris Huntley founded Screenplay Systems in 1982. Shortly thereafter, Chris and Steve released Scriptor, the first screenplay formatter designed for the entertainment industry. As Vice President of Screenplay Systems, Chris has participated in the conceptualization, programming, and graphic design of industry-standard software products such as Movie Magic Scheduling, Movie Magic Budgeting, and of Scriptor, which recently won a Technical Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. Most recently, Mr. Huntley can add Co-Creator of Dramatica to his impressive list of Credits.

Reg.# T2236K	X 430.44
UCLA: 2126 Rolfe Hall	MPTV 2 units
Monday, 7-10pm	$200
January 13-March 17, 8 mtgs.
(No Mtg. 1/20 & 2/17)

Class Syllabus

Homework Assignments

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