Screenwriting

This event took place on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 at 10:00 amYukonstruct Outpost 31 classroom @ Northlight Innovation/Yukonstruct

Dec 4th & 5th - from 10am to 4pm

This two-day intensive screenwriting workshop is specifically designed for emerging and mid-career Yukon writers who want to develop a script idea for fiction-based creative screen content. The workshop will also address elements of writing for documentary. The workshop is participation oriented, and facilitated by Daniel Janke.

At the discretion of the facilitator, the workshop will be loosely structured around principles discussed in the Robert McKee book, Story* [Regan Books 1997]. In two days we hope to nurture a little passion for the art of writing, and build confidence in participants as they move forward with their individual projects.

*Some preparation reading is recommended. Excerpts will be provided for the workshop sessions.

The following pointed exercises will be addressed as time permits.

1) opening scene

Each participant will be asked to bring in and read an opening scene, either original or from a movie script they like. Discussion will include what the scene tells us, what the movie might be about; whether or not this scene contains the inciting incident; and other issues. We may analyze the scene to understand to what degree it represents successful exposition; showing as opposed to telling. Also, does this opening scene introduce us to the world of your story? We may also analyze for positive and negative beats, and other structural considerations.

2) scene

Each participant will bring in and read a short scene, either original or from a movie script they like. Discussion will include what the scene tells us, does it include elements of deep character or antagonism; where in the movie might this scene happen, [i.e., act 1, act 2, act 3] and why; where is the meaning in a given sentence of the dialogue, and what words are necessary or un-necessary; is the dialogue at its essence stikomythia; and other issues. We may analyze the scene for positive and negative beats, and other structural considerations.

3) pitching your story or idea

Each participant will bring in a log line, a description of the theme, and a description of the message – ideally from a project they are currently working on. Discussion will focus on the differences and similarities of these three elements; what does a log line do?; is there a theme, and is it clear?; does there need to be a message?; how are these elements important to your pitch?; and other issues. With specific regard to documentary film we may discuss these elements in terms of inductive documentary process. Discussion will also lead to difficult questions like; Who is your audience? And why make this film?

Daniel Janke worked for years in the media industry as a location sound mixer and composer before developing a passion for writing and directing his own films. Daniel was creator of the Northern Town TV series [CBC Television, 2006]. Recent projects include Grubstake Remix, the live film performance work that toured Canada and performed in Berlin. Daniel’s film How People Got Fire was nominated for a Writers Guild of Canada award. He is currently working on Woman With A Fish with Massey Productions in Vancouver. He is also writing the libretto for the opera Elixir Of Isis. Daniel is still active as a composer.