Students will learn the basic concepts of feature screenwriting through readings of professional screenplays and the viewing of selected scenes from award-winning films. Students will develop their understanding of dramatic structure, characterization, tone, and effective dialogue and will research and plan their own feature screenplay. By the end of the semester, each student is expected to executive and workshop the first act of their own original feature screenplay (approximately 30 pages). Discussions will also cover working professionally as a writer in the independent and studio worlds.