The aim of this course is to provide students with tools for both theoretical analysis and practical realization of film scripts, with a particular consideration of different genres and formats, and references to mainstream as well as low budget productions. The course will take into account the main methodologies of scriptwriting; it will address the main stages of the screenwriting process, from the early concept to the script and the final treatment; it will consider the historical evolution of cinematic narrative forms; and it will offer insights into the relationship between cinematic narration and contemporary crossmedia storytelling.
teacher profile teaching materials
a) a theoretical one, with the course's two dramaturgical and cinematic models:
- THE THREE-ACT STRUCTURE (rooted in Freudian psychology)
- C. VOGLER'S HERO'S JOURNEY (rooted in Jungian psychology)
b) a practical one, how to move from the CONCEPT, the INITIATIVE that sparked the initial IDEA, to the SUBJECT (which is the STRUCTURED IDEA, the HISTORY OF THE INITIATIVE), to the OUTLINE (the articulation of the main movements of the dramaturgy, the definition of the main NARRATIVE BLOCKS), to the TREATMENT (the full-text EXPLORATION of the narrative universe, closer to the novel: where do the scenes take place? What is the protagonist thinking? We investigate in depth; the characters objectify themselves as something other than us: they are alive and autonomous. We understand the MENTAL HORIZON OF THE CHARACTERS), to the SCRIPT (all the scenes, scene by scene Scene: what happens there, the characters, its meaning. It's the "PLACE" where the film's definition is actually worked on. Dialogue, images, pacing, character psychology, and narrative arcs all come together here before filming.
- “The Hero's Journey” by Christopher Vogler (Dino Audino Editore)
Programme
The course will be divided into two levels:a) a theoretical one, with the course's two dramaturgical and cinematic models:
- THE THREE-ACT STRUCTURE (rooted in Freudian psychology)
- C. VOGLER'S HERO'S JOURNEY (rooted in Jungian psychology)
b) a practical one, how to move from the CONCEPT, the INITIATIVE that sparked the initial IDEA, to the SUBJECT (which is the STRUCTURED IDEA, the HISTORY OF THE INITIATIVE), to the OUTLINE (the articulation of the main movements of the dramaturgy, the definition of the main NARRATIVE BLOCKS), to the TREATMENT (the full-text EXPLORATION of the narrative universe, closer to the novel: where do the scenes take place? What is the protagonist thinking? We investigate in depth; the characters objectify themselves as something other than us: they are alive and autonomous. We understand the MENTAL HORIZON OF THE CHARACTERS), to the SCRIPT (all the scenes, scene by scene Scene: what happens there, the characters, its meaning. It's the "PLACE" where the film's definition is actually worked on. Dialogue, images, pacing, character psychology, and narrative arcs all come together here before filming.
Core Documentation
- “Story” by Robert McKee (Edizioni Omero)- “The Hero's Journey” by Christopher Vogler (Dino Audino Editore)
Attendance
A maximum of 4 absences are permittedType of evaluation
Eligibility is given based on attendance