Class Date:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, July 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30
Class Time:
10:30 A.M. - 12 P.M.
Class Size:
8-10
Age Group:
5th-8th Graders
Location:
National Writers Series, 202 E. Grandview Parkway
Do you love movies and dream of writing your own? Did you know that many great films—whether it’s Barbie or The Godfather, Wicked or Back to the Future—follow the same “invisible” rhythm? In this screenwriting course, students will dig into the storytelling principles that power nearly every movie and TV show.
We’ll cover the fundamentals of scriptwriting—how to create complex characters, build tension, and structure stories that keep audiences hooked. Students will analyze film examples, workshop original ideas, and learn how professional writers turn raw concepts into screen-ready scripts.
Throughout the course, we may also welcome guest speakers from the film and television world, offering insight into the creative and professional sides of the industry. The class will evolve based on student interests, whether that’s story development, dialogue, or the art of visual storytelling.
By the end, students will not only have a working understanding of screenplay structure but also a short original script—or the foundation of one—to take into future projects or competitions. Perfect for writers, storytellers, and film enthusiasts ready to take their creativity to the next level.
Chris Loud has several years of experience as a writer and producer for TV, film, and documentaries. In the narrative feature film world, Chris has helped produce films like the 2025 official Sundance selection Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake), as well as Quicksand, a multi-award-winning independent film that now airs on Amazon. Chris was also a consultant and associate producer on the award-winning short film, Created Sleep Transmissions. In TV, Chris has written and produced for the travel TV shows Third Coast, Coolest Places on Earth, State to State, and Great Escapes, as well as the true crime series Forensic Justice. Chris also writes and helps produce many of the short films created for The Boardman Review, and serves as the executive editor for the print publication.
