Can you recommend a screenwriting class for a beginner that's close to Tempe?

[C Daigle]

I have never written a screenplay but want to learn in a live class setting. Thanks for your help!

[Edward Phillips]

Unless you are dead set on sitting in a classroom, there are several great classes online from UCLA including a screenwriting certificate course. I just completed the certificate program and it was great. During the process I completed one screenplay, and have six others in varying degrees of development.

EJ

[J. A. Benedict]

I have taken classes through SCC and they are sufficient on learning about a process in developing your story. But I wouldn't recommend it. One is much better off picking up a good book on structure such as David Trottiers Screenwriters Bible

http://www.amazon.com/Screenwriters-Bible-Complete-Writing-Formatti...

Spend some time regularly reading some good quality blogs written by real working screenwriters in LA for example

http://mysterymanonfilm.blogspot.com/

http://artfulwriter.com/

http://johnaugust.com/

just to name a few - there are more but these three can keep you busy for quite awhile. Together, the 3 cover everything from story & character development, structure, pacing, pitching, the business side of the "Biz", living in LA etc...

and lastly find a group of screen scribes to share with and bounce ideas off, like the one that meets every Wed. through this network. Hopefully you'll click with someone that can dish out constructive criticism without hurting feelings ;-)

And of course always write, write, write, write.

I have found that doing ALL of these things turns out far more rewarding and much less expensive than a traditional class or an online class. Good Luck!

[J. A. Benedict]

oh and one more important thing - do your best to get your hands on screenplays written by pros and read read read read read. If you need help finding some screenplays let me know...

[Edward Phillips]

Here are some of the books that came up in the UCLA screenwriting classes:
"Writing for Emotional Impact" - Karl Iglesias
"Screenplay - The Foundations of Screenwriting" - Syd Field
"Save the Cat" - Blake Snyder
"Screenplay - Writing the PIcture" Robin Russin, and William Missouri Downs
and of course the imortal "Story" - Robert McKee
A couple of magazines to consider: Script, and Creative Screenwriting
A great site to buy materials at a pretty good discount is The Writer's Store. You can find it online through google.
One final bit of advice- START READING SCREENPLAYS in the genre you are choosing to write.

[Jana Segal]

I'm planning to have a one day screenwriting class in Tucson with one of the favorite instructors from the Reel Vision Filmmakers Conference within the next two months. Let me know if you're interested in attending.
Jana
Reel Inspiration

[Joe Gruberman]

If you're starting from square one, I would recommend the local screenwriting groups just so that you can absorb through osmosis. Often the discussions revolve around specific scripts or scenes that make it easy to follow the jargon and the concepts raised even if you know absolutely nothing about writing. It's by no means a complete education, but it's like visiting Mexico for a week and miraculously learning to speak a little Spanish.

I will be attending the Monday June 1 screenwriters meeting (7pm) at the IFP/Phoenix office and will be happy to discuss some local educational options with you!

[Dean Lachiusa]

Years ago SCC offered classes. Can't really say I recommend them, but the resource may be worth checking out. (Scottsdale Community College on Chaparel off the freeway.)