{"id":240391,"date":"2025-09-08T17:50:56","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T00:50:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/propathscreenwriting.com\/?page_id=240391"},"modified":"2025-09-24T06:53:15","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T13:53:15","slug":"advanced-storytelling-tools-for-screenwriters-study-practice","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/propathscreenwriting.com\/advanced-storytelling-tools-for-screenwriters-study-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"Advanced Storytelling Tools for Screenwriters: Study & Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”DLE About 91″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”#ffffff 0%|#d9af62 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”#ffffff” background_color_gradient_end=”#d9af62″ background_image=”https:\/\/propathscreenwriting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dog-walker-10-2.png” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”1vw||4vw||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”25px||25px||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”25px||25px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#D9AF62″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”90%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|0px|0px|false|false” border_radii=”on|14px|14px|14px|14px” border_width_all=”10px” border_color_all=”#D9AF62″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_text_color=”#2B2D42″ text_font_size=”17px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”Fira Sans|700||on|||||” header_text_color=”#2B2D42″ header_font_size=”42px” header_line_height=”1.3em” header_2_font=”Fira Sans|700|||||||” header_3_font=”Fira Sans||||||||” header_3_font_size=”21px” header_4_font=”Fira Sans||||||||” header_4_font_size=”17px” header_5_font=”Fira Sans||||||||” header_6_font=”Fira Sans||||||||” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”|||15px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ header_font_size_tablet=”42px” header_font_size_phone=”31px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_text_shadow_style=”none” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\n

Advanced Storytelling Tools for Screenwriters: Study & Practice<\/h1>\n

A 10-Week Writing Workshop<\/h3>\n

With Michael Colleary<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/h4>\n

Format<\/strong>: Live online (ProPath Zoom) + weekly viewing and writing assignments<\/p>\n

Schedule:<\/strong> Tuesdays, 6:00\u20138:00 PM Pacific Time, Oct 14 \u2013 Dec 16, 2025 (10 weeks)<\/p>\n

Course Overview<\/h2>\n

This hands-on course explores practical narrative tools screenwriters use to create and sustain drama, heighten tension, and build complex, dynamic characters\u2014applicable across genre and era.<\/p>\n

Each week we\u2019ll view an assigned film (outside of class), examine the various narrative tools used by the writers of those assigned films, and read the scripts (based on availability).<\/p>\n

In a weekly two-hour Zoom call, we’ll discuss how to use the featured craft element in your own writing.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> This is a craft course, not film criticism, genre study, or film history. Our focus is the how of storytelling on the page and screen.
Learning Goals<\/p>\n

By the end of the course, you will be able to:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Identify the core storytelling principles used in the assigned films and discuss how to apply those principles to your own writing.<\/li>\n
  • Identify the narrative patterns prevalent in all feature screenplays and apply them to your own work.<\/li>\n
  • Integrate multiple narrative tools cohesively in an original short screenplay.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Materials<\/h2>\n

    Screenplays (full or excerpts) for weekly study will be provided digitally. Please do not acquire scripts before our first session.<\/p>\n

    ______________________<\/p>\n

    Weekly Plan (subject to change)<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Live Sessions: Tuesdays, 6:00\u20138:00 PM PT<\/p>\n

    Week 1\u2013Oct 14, 2025<\/strong>
    Overview of Screenwriting Tools
    Introduction to the toolkit and how we\u2019ll study, practice, and evaluate the narrative elements in the assigned films.<\/p>\n

    Week 2\u2013Oct 21, 2025<\/strong>
    Creating Dramatic Isolation<\/strong> \u2014 Film: Ten Little Indians
    Physical, emotional, and social isolation as engines of behavior and plot.<\/p>\n

    Week 3\u2013Oct 28, 2025<\/strong>
    Multiple Perspectives<\/strong> \u2014 Film: Rashomon
    Building \u201cflexible reality\u201d and purposeful ambiguity without confusing the audience.<\/p>\n

    Week 4\u2013Nov 4, 2025<\/strong>
    Specialized Relationships that Define Character<\/strong> \u2014 Film: Uncut Gems
    Triangles, push-pull dynamics, and relationship turns that reveal arc.<\/p>\n

    Week 5\u2013Nov 11, 2025<\/strong>
    Closed Narrative & Controlled Information<\/strong> \u2014 Film: Rosemary\u2019s Baby
    Managing what the audience knows to produce tension, fear, and paranoia.<\/p>\n

    Week 6\u2013Nov 18, 2025<\/strong>
    Decisive Action (Part 1):<\/strong> Integrating Character & Plot \u2014 Film: Do the Right Thing
    Scenes built around consequential decisions.<\/p>\n

    Week 7\u2013Nov 25, 2025<\/strong>
    Decisive Action (Part 2):<\/strong> Dramatic Transactions \u2014 Film: Precious
    Deals, instructions, and agreements that move story and clarify stakes.<\/p>\n

    Week 8\u2013Dec 2, 2025<\/strong>
    Asymmetrical Storytelling<\/strong> \u2014 Film: Parasite
    Harnessing ambiguity and subversion to challenge expectations.<\/p>\n

    Week 9\u2013Dec 9, 2025<\/strong>
    Mythic Descent Stories<\/strong> \u2014 Film: Godzilla Minus One
    Pairing external journey with inner transformation.<\/p>\n

    Week 10\u2013Dec 16, 2025<\/strong>
    Integration Workshop<\/strong> \u2014 Film: Once Upon a Time in the West
    Cohesive use of at least five tools; final project polish and peer feedback.
    Final Project Due: Dec 16 by 11:59 PM PT.<\/p>\n

    Assignments & Feedback<\/h2>\n

    Weekly Writing (Weeks 3\u201310):<\/strong>
    Submit a 3\u20135 page original scene or short synopsis<\/strong> demonstrating the prior week\u2019s tool.<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Format: Industry-standard screenplay (PDF).<\/li>\n
    • Due: Mondays by 12:00 PM PT (the day before class).<\/li>\n
    • Expect concise, actionable feedback focused on clarity, intent, and craft.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Final Project (Due Week 10):<\/strong>
      A 7\u201310 page short screenplay<\/strong> showcasing practical mastery of at least five<\/strong> narrative tools discussed throughout the course<\/p>\n

      Classroom Culture & Content Advisory<\/h2>\n

      We aim for a professional, supportive workshop space. Robust critique is welcome; disrespect, personal attacks, or disruptive behavior are not.<\/p>\n

      Course materials may depict physical, emotional, sexual, and verbal violence.<\/p>\n

      Please care for your well-being and communicate needs early; I\u2019m happy to work with you on reasonable accommodations.<\/p>\n

      Privacy<\/strong>: Please do not record, stream, or publicly share class sessions, discussions, or materials.<\/p>\n

      ————————–<\/p>\n

      Workshop Cost<\/strong>: $249 for 10 weeks<\/p>\n

      Email info@propathscreenwriting.com to sign up!<\/strong><\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”mailto:info@propathscreenwriting.com” button_text=”Reserve Your Spot Now!” button_alignment=”left” button_alignment_tablet=”center” button_alignment_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” button_text_size=”20px” button_text_color=”#d88c00″ button_bg_color=”#FFFFFF” button_border_width=”4px” button_border_color=”#D9AF62″ button_use_icon=”on” button_icon=”$||divi||400″ button_icon_color=”#d88c00″ button_on_hover=”off” custom_margin=”25px||100px|10px|false|false” custom_padding=”5px||5px||true|false” button_text_size_tablet=”” button_text_size_phone=”16px” button_text_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/propathscreenwriting.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/MICHAEL-COLLEARY-1.jpeg” alt=”MICHAEL COLLEARY” title_text=”MICHAEL COLLEARY” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” box_shadow_style=”preset4″ box_shadow_horizontal=”20px” box_shadow_vertical=”-20px” box_shadow_color=”#FFFFFF” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”38px” box_shadow_horizontal_phone=”16px” box_shadow_horizontal_last_edited=”on|tablet” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”-27px” box_shadow_vertical_phone=”-19px” box_shadow_vertical_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|on|on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#D9AF62″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_module=”238778″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||2px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|off|off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-17px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]\n

      What Our Writers Are Saying<\/h3>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      This hands-on course explores practical narrative tools screenwriters use to create and sustain drama, heighten tension, and build complex, dynamic characters\u2014applicable across genre and era.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":240298,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"\n

      Interested in taking your writing to the next level? <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      In our 10 week online classes, you will go from concept to completed first draft screenplay. Each week you\u2019ll email out your assignment to your classmates, read each other\u2019s work, then participate in a group video call to critique, discuss, and brainstorm. Not only will you get weekly notes from your instructor, but also from your talented classmates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      By the end of the ten weeks, you\u2019ll have a completed draft. At that time, your instructor will do a full read of your completed script with page notes and a one-hour private call to discuss the notes and brainstorm on the next steps for you to take creatively and professionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Each class is capped at 8 writers to ensure the best quality and attention to each student's script. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Please inquire for cost or other information. We do offer payment plans for all our classes, spread out over the 10 weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Linda's Feature Screenplay Class starts Tuesday, June 23. Classes will start at 6pm PST. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Tim's classes are currently full. His next set of classes start August 4. Tim will have daytime and evening classes starting that week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Save your spot today in one of these classes! Email info@propathscreenwriting.com for more info. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      <\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"1920","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-240391","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/propathscreenwriting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/240391","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/propathscreenwriting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/propathscreenwriting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/propathscreenwriting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/propathscreenwriting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=240391"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/propathscreenwriting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/240391\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":240447,"href":"https:\/\/propathscreenwriting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/240391\/revisions\/240447"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/propathscreenwriting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/240298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/propathscreenwriting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=240391"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/propathscreenwriting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=240391"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/propathscreenwriting.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=240391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}