We have had screenwriting classes for at least 40 years.

Our introductory screenwriting class is called “Storytelling Strategies.” It looks at how narrative stories work through an examination of the structural and mythic elements first established by the ancient Greek playwrights and recognized by Aristotle in his Poetics thousands of years ago. The course continues this examination up to and including such contemporary story models as Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces as well as the current Hollywood paradigm, “the three-act structure.” We seek to find those principles that for the backbone of successful narrative screenplays and contribute to a film’s ability to resonate with an audience. The lecture is for analysis. The recitations are for applying what you have learned to the writing of your short screenplay

All of our film students are required to take three screenwriting classes. These will usually include Storytelling Strategies, Fundamentals of Dramatic and Visual Writing, and Script Analysis.

In addition to the above required courses, students may take screenwriting classes that specialize in feature-length screenwriting, situation and sketch comedy, comedy writing for television, writing for documentary film and television, writing for children’s television, adaptation, writing the one-hour television drama, and writing the short narrative film. In these classes, many of which are repeatable, students are required to write complete feature-length screenplays, one-hour dramas, shorts, etc. depending on the specific classes they choose.

All of our writing teachers are professional screen, television, and/or theatre writers. Many have numerous credits; some in the United States, others from overseas (e.g. England, Australia, Israel).

Yes, we have “exit strategies” classes as part of Senior Colloquium. We have a large career services department to help students as they approach graduation and afterwards.  All of our writing classes, from the first required freshman class, insist on professional standards. We have a full-time internship office that provides hundreds of internships for our students in television, film, advertising, new media, gaming, etc.  These internships are available not only in New York and Los Angeles,  but throughout the U.S. and overseas.

Yes, we publish a “script bank” every year. This is a book of “loglines’ of original material and contact information for all of our students who wish to submit writing work. This goes out to industry professionals (studio execs, network execs, agents, managers, etc). In addition we invite executives, agents and managers in to hear “pitches” and meet with our students on a regular basis. Also, since many of our writing and production faculty have industry contacts through their own professional work, they are able to facilitate professional introductions for students themselves.

We have specific writing and production classes in and for the new media -- everything from the Web to the iPhone. And we have recently set up an entire “Game Center” at the school that is endeavoring to bring to our students specific courses in gaming.

Vancouver Film School’s Writing for Film & Television program was established 10 years ago, in May 1999.

 

Writing for Film & Television, like the other 12 programs at VFS, delivers three or four years of education in one incredibly intense year. Our curriculum is carefully designed -- and constantly evolving -- to teach students the core fundamentals of story while training them to be both prolific and versatile. Students are guided by industry professional screenwriters, not career academics, as they pitch, outline, write and rewrite a wide variety of material, including features, short films, TV specs and pilots, and sketch comedy, as well as a produced short film. At the end of their year, they have a varied portfolio and the marketing and networking skills they need to make it as professional writers.

 

Our curriculum is designed to give students the edge in the world of professional screenwriting by providing a balance between creative exploration and no-nonsense industry skills. Students learn the craft of storytelling by working on feature scripts, TV scripts, shorts, and sketch comedy. The immersive one-year program at VFS includes story structure, the craft of writing for film and TV, the writer’s role in production, and how to break into the industry.

 

Writing for Film & Television students are required to take the following courses:

Short Script

Character

Story

The Biz: Format

The Biz: Pitching

Writing with Style

Dialogue

Script Genre – Comedy, Crime, Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror, Action, Auteur

Story Editing

Documentary

Feature Script 

TV Spec

TV Rewrites

 

They also have the option of taking the following electives:

Writing for Sitcoms

Adaptation

Writing for Animation

TV Pilot

Entertainment Journalism

Writing for Commercials

Writing and Producing for Web Series

Writing for Comics

Writing for Video Games

 

Over one intense year, students are required to complete at least one feature script, one TV spec, a sketch-comedy portfolio, two short scripts, a script analysis sample, and either an additional feature script or a TV pilot series bible and script. They must also work collaboratively with a professional director during the production of one of their short scripts.

The majority of students take advantage of the many elective opportunities to broaden their portfolios with an original sitcom, an online comic, webisode scripts, advertising pitches, an animated TV spec, a documentary treatment, journalistic writing samples, poems, and short stories.

 

VFS instructors are professional writers who bring decades of experience as screenwriters, novelists, journalists, poets, and playwrights. The Head of VFS’s Writing Department is veteran writer Michael Baser, whose career has spanned over 30 years and such productions as Good Times, The Jeffersons, Three’s Company, 9 to 5, and Full House.

 

The timely demands of Writing for Film & Television teach students to write to deadlines, to work alone or as part of a writing team, and to rewrite effectively. They work hard in a professional environment, produce a considerable amount of high-quality work, and are encouraged to write beyond their “pet” genres. VFS also teaches students how to pitch and market their work. The business side of the entertainment industry is a big part of the curriculum. In Biz Marketing, students learn the ins-and-outs of getting an agent, negotiating contracts, joining guilds, and how to get their work into the right hands. As a learning experience and networking opportunity, the program regularly hosts guest speakers from the industry, including producers, agents, directors, and development execs, as well as fellow writers who discuss their career paths and provide inspiration to students.VFS is a creative environment full of talented young artists -- from actors to game designers to animators -- which gives Writing students the chance to hone their craft while working with the other ambitious students who may soon become an important part of their professional network.

 

Though VFS does not currently offer internship or work placement assistance, we do frequently present or host industry events which allow students to build up their professional networks, such as 2008’s Screenwriters Summit, which featured special workshops and lectures from Hollywood’s top four screenplay gurus: Syd Field, John Truby, Linda Seger, and Michael Hauge. Writing instructors often call upon their professional colleagues to visit with students and give valuable insight to the entertainment industry. Recently, these speakers have included Martin Gero (Stargate: Atlantis), Josh Stolberg (Good Luck Chuck), and agents from Lucas Talent.

 

Our instructors are professionals actively working in the film and TV industry. This means students get to work with -- and network with -- the very people that may hire or refer them tomorrow. In the past, instructors have helped students find script reading and development internships, story editing work, and journalism assignments. In addition, VFS student projects are consistently selected for screenings and awards at festivals around the world. Many student projects are submitted to national and international competitions and festivals at no cost to the student. VFS also maintains the #1 YouTube channel of any educational institution (Youtube.com/vancouverfilmschool), which guarantees exposure to great student work.

 

The Writing for Film & Television program recently created a Writing and Producing for Web Series course to better prepare students to write for Internet audiences. Under the guidance of Writing’s Head of Department, Michael Baser, students write for VFS’ own comedy Web series and directly participate in the production of a “season." Also, students have the opportunity to take a production-centered course in Writing for Comics in cooperation with the Foundation Visual Art & Design program, and a Writing for Video Games course. From the first day of classes, the Writing program addresses the changing role of the screenwriter and the various new delivery systems in the industry, such as the Internet, smart phones, and videogames. At VFS, Writing students benefit from a philosophy that well-rounded storytelling skills are just as important as the unique demands of each new delivery platform.

 

See Ray Morton's Training for the New Frontier in the September/October issue of Script.    

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