Principles of Story
Part 1 | Weeks 1-3
Participants will discover the power of storytelling as a transformative tool
for their personal growth and development.
Stories give meaning to our life experiences and connect us with others. They help us better understand the world we live in and the reasons people do what they do. This intensive two-day seminar will uncover the fundamental principles and critical elements of story, before we examine its building blocks. ​​​​
Who is this course for?
For those interested in any story form, from short stories and novels to
films (live-action & animation), television series, theatre, and narrative games.
Week 1
The Foundation
Morning Session (2.5 hours)​
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Introduction
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Universal & Timeless Concepts
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The Necessity of Logic & The Suspension of Disbelief
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Exercise #1
Afternoon Session (2.5 hours)
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Semiotics & Meaning
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Defining Theme
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Exercise #2
Week 2
The Critical Elements
Morning Session (2.5 hours)​
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Becoming Masters of Genre
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Conceiving a Great Story Idea
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Crafting a Winning Logline
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Exercise #3
Afternoon Session (2.5 hours)
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Story Structure (Archplot/Classical Design)
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The Four Dimensions of Setting
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​Exercise #4​
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Week 3
The Building Blocks
​Morning Session (2.5 hours)
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Cast Design
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​Character Development & Motivations
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Exercise #5
Afternoon Session (2.5 hours)
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The Significance of Suffering
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The True Substance of Story (Irony & The Unexpected a.k.a. The Gap Theory)
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Exercise #6
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Final Q&A & Feedback
Course Requirments
This is a foundational course.
It is a pre-requisite for the Mechanics of Screenwriting seminar.
Details
Correctional Institutions:
3 Weeks (One Day Per Week) - Onsite
5 hours/day = 15 instructional hours
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OR
Recovery Facilities:
One Intensive 3-day Seminar - Onsite
5 hours/day = 15 instructional hours
​​​
Minimum 4 Participants per cohort
Maximum 8 Participants per cohort
