Screenwriting (SCWR)

Students will learn how to write social issue based, short screenplays.

Prerequisite: SCWR 120.
University Core fulfilled: Flag: Writing.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Elements of writing popular film genres.

Prerequisites: SCWR 320.

This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Elements of screenwriting as applied to short films intended for production.

Corequisites: PROD 500, 541, 566.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Practical experience in the television development process; includes taking an idea to script and the directing, producing, and post-producing of a short, in-studio multi-camera video project.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Course centers on understanding the craft of storytelling and character development as probably the most important task at hand when mounting a production and properly servicing the script for the writer, executive producer, and studio. Making wise choices in the areas of camera, lighting, and special effects to non-linear post-production, etc.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Practical experience in writing production-ready short scripts based on or inspired by their existing feature or pilot TV scripts or for a stand-alone project.

Prerequisite: SCWR 501 or SCWR 510 or SCWR 511.
Graduate students only.
School of Film and Television majors only.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Intermediate screenwriting techniques as applied to short films intended for production.

Prerequisite: SCWR 501
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Elements of feature film screenwriting related to idea, character, story and structure development, scene and sequence construction, and elements of genres.

Practical experience writing a first draft feature film screenplay; includes analysis of character development, plot, and story structure.

Elements of dramatic writing include emphasis on the television art form and the practical aspects of writing television genres.

Practical experience writing a first draft feature film screenplay; including analysis of character development, plot, and story structure.
WPTV majors only.

Prerequisites: SCWR 511 and SCWR 550.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Students gain practical experience pitching and working in the writers rooms of drama and comedy television series.

Prerequisites: SCWR 511 and SCWR 550.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Practical experience writing a first draft feature length screenplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 501 with a minimum grade of B-.
Film and Television Production graduate majors only.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Practical experience as a producer managing the planning, budgeting, and scheduling of the episodic television art form.

Prerequisites: SCWR 511

This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Writing the thesis narrative project and preparing the script for production.

Prerequisite: SCWR 530.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Analysis of feature films from the screenwriter's point of view and an in-depth study of each story's dramaturgical elements. This study will deepen the understanding of these principles and techniques for the student's own creative work.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Practical experience rewriting the feature film screenplay.

Prerequisites: SCWR 541.
Corequisite: SCWR 650.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Broad survey of the wide range of adaptation concepts, practices, and processes.

Prerequisites: SCWR 640.

This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Practical experience writing a feature-length screenplay.

Prerequisites: SCWR 541.
Corequisite: SCWR 640.

This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Practical experience rewriting the feature film screenplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 650.

This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Practical experience writing a "spec" episode of a current one-hour drama.

Prerequisites: SCWR 510 or SCWR 511; SCWR 540 or SCWR 550.

This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Practical experience creating an original one-hour drama series and writing the pilot teleplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 660 or SCWR 670.
Repeatable for credit up to 6 semester hours.

Practical experience writing a "spec" episode of a current half-hour situation comedy.

Prerequisites: SCWR 510 or SCWR 511; SCWR 540 or SCWR 550.

This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Practical experience creating an original half-hour situation comedy series and writing the pilot teleplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 660 or SCWR 670.
Repeatable for credit up to 6 semester hours.

Rewriting original pilot projects so that they are ‘reader ready’ for the industry.

Prerequisite: SCWR 661 or SCWR 671

This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

A "real life" experience writing and producing a television series; includes adapting the original pilot and pre-producing a short presentation.

Prerequisites: SCWR 611; SCWR 661 or 671

This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Classroom lectures, guest speakers, panel discussions from entertainment industry business affairs professionals in the field of artist management, development, financing, and distribution.

Prerequisites: SCWR 541 or SCWR 670 or 660.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Practical experience writing a feature-length screenplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 651

This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

The elements of storytelling as applied to the screen, includes an examination of ethics and learning screenwriting basics by writing a short film script.

A minimum grade of B is required for all students in the major or minor.

Special Elective Topics

Independent Studies based on consent of department chair

Practicum in the basics of feature film screenwriting; idea, outline, plot, characterization, and structure. Analysis of scripts.

Prerequisite: SCWR 1120 completed with a grade of B (3.0) or higher.

Practical experience in writing half hour episodic television comedy.

Prerequisite: SCWR 1120
Majors/minors only.
University Core fulfilled: Explorations: Creative Experience.

Practical experience in writing one-hour episodic television drama.

Prerequisite: SCWR 1120
Screenwriting majors and minors only.
University Core fulfilled: Explorations: Creative Experience.

Practical experience in writing TV anthology format

Special Elective Topics

Independent Studies based on consent of department chair

Practical experience in writing feature film scripts with analysis of plot, character development, and structure.

Prerequisite: SCWR 2220
Majors only / Minors only.

Practical experience in completing or rewriting a feature-length screenplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 3320.
Juniors or seniors only.
Majors/minors only.

Elements of screenwriting as applied to short films intended for production.

Prerequisite: SCWR 1120.

An immersive exploration into the dynamic business facets of "Show Business" within the entertainment sphere. Each week will explore a different part of the Entertainment industry, including Gaming, Development, Streaming, the history of the business, guilds and virtual production and entertainment marketing.

An in-depth study of thirteen diverse films, from classics to modern masterpieces, from studio films to independent films to foreign films

A deep dive into the intersection of technology and entertainment and focus on developing, writing, producing, and distributing original content.

Practical experience in advanced scene writing

Practical experience in discussing, developing, and scripting original audio fiction projects. The primary emphasis is on learning the tools needed to craft a compelling narrative tailored for the audio medium.

Practical experience in writing the original television pilot comedy or drama.

Prerequisite: SCWR 2525 or 2526
Juniors or seniors only.
Majors/minors only.

A practical and collaborative workshop intended to give screenwriters an understanding of the craft and art of directing actors and help the student develop a working methodology for directing scenes.

Prerequisites: SCWR 2220
Majors only.
Lab fee required.

Students will learn about the various challenges that videos game writers face and how the game writing craft diverges from traditional storytelling to create its own dynamic art form.

Special Elective Topics

Independent Studies based on consent of department chair

Specially directed projects in writing for film, television, or other media from initial concept through finished form.

Prerequisites: SCWR 3321.
Majors only.

Practical experience revising the senior project draft.

Prerequisite: SCWR 4420 or SCWR 4440 or SCWR 4450
Screenwriting majors only.

Practical experience in translating books (novels and/or non-fiction) into film scripts.

Prerequisite: SCWR 2220.

Specially directed projects in writing for film, television, or other media from initial concept through finished form.

Prerequisites: SCWR 3321.
Majors only.

Practical experience revising the senior project draft.

Prerequisite: SCWR 4420 or SCWR 4440.
Screenwriting majors only.

Specially directed projects in writing for film, television, or other media from initial concept through finished form. The student must provide a professional copy of all senior thesis-level projects to the school of film and television in partial fulfillment of degree requirements.

Prerequisites: SCWR 3321 and either SCWR 2525 or SCWR 2526
Majors only.

Practical experience revising the senior project draft.

Prerequisite: SCWR 4420 or SCWR 4450.
Screenwriting majors only.

Practical experience in writing production-ready short scripts based on or inspired by their existing feature or pilot TV scripts or for a stand-along project.

Prerequisite: SCWR 2220 or SCWR 3627.
Juniors or seniors only.

Students will write and rewrite two short plays, and participate in a structured writers room. Examples of monologues and short plays will be analyzed and screened.

This course will teach students how to construct monologue jokes, develop topical pitches and desk piece ideas, and write sketches. By the end of the term, they'll leave with a professional-quality submission packet for applying to late-night shows.

This course will teach students effective pitching of ideas and professional presentation. The curriculum will encompass sales techniques applicable to both in-person and virtual settings, as well as the specific content, length, and visual components of successful pitches.

Prerequisite: SCWR 1120.

Students will analyze Bachelor and Bachelorette “cultural dates” for storytelling, production and editing techniques before casting, shooting and editing an LMU campus dream date reality TV show segment.

Prerequisite: SCWR 1120.

Practical course for students to hone their world building skills across many genres and forms and have the chance to develop their own unique, fictional world.

In this course, students will develop their own original animated TV series concept and write the script for a pilot based on this idea. Students will gain insights into various aspects of writing for animated television, encompassing both creative and business perspectives.

Prerequisite: SCWR 1120.

In this course, students will learn the craft of sequential storytelling, the collaborative process of working with artists and publishers, and how to navigate the marketplace of comics and adaptations.

This course offers students practical experience in developing and writing short form comedy pilot scripts, focusing on character development, breaking story, emotional throughline, and joke writing.

Special Elective Topics

Independent Studies based on consent of department chair

A "real life" experience writing and producing a television series; includes producing and post-producing pilot presentation and a final professional presentation to an audience and faculty committee.

Prerequisite: SCWR 680.

Practical experience writing a feature-length screenplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 651

Practical experience rewriting a feature film screenplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 6690.

Develop new or continue to work on previously written material to raise the quality of portfolio to industry standard; includes preparing marketing materials for projects.

Prerequisite: SCWR 680 or SCWR 6690.

Special Elective Topics

Students will write and rewrite two short plays, and participate in a structured writer’s room. Examples of monologues and short plays will be analyzed and screened.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

This course will teach students how to construct monologue jokes, develop topical pitches and desk piece ideas, and write sketches. By the end of the term, they'll leave with a professional-quality submission packet for applying to late-night shows.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

This course will teach students effective pitching of ideas and professional presentation. The curriculum will encompass sales techniques applicable to both in-person and virtual settings, as well as the specific content, length, and visual components of successful pitches.

A deep dive into the intersection of technology and entertainment and focus on developing, writing, producing, and distributing original content.

Practical experience in advanced scene writing

Students will analyze reality TV dating shows “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” create a campus dream date show segment, and develop their own reality TV show concept with a sizzle reel and pitch deck.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

This course will equip students with the methods, devices, and techniques necessary to construct compelling worlds for stories and characters. Throughout the course, students will refine their world-building skills across various genres and forms, culminating in the creation of their own unique, fictional world.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

In this course, students will develop their own original animated TV series concept and write the script for a pilot based on this idea. Students will gain insights into various aspects of writing for animated television, encompassing both creative and business perspectives.

This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

This course offers students practical experience in developing and writing short form comedy pilot scripts, focusing on character development, breaking story, emotional throughline, and joke writing. The course will also simulate a TV writer's room, providing students with opportunities to pitch ideas, receive feedback, and collaborate with others to position themselves for success in the evolving entertainment industry.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

This course explores the process for choosing and adapting pre-existing source material to the screen. By examining what works and what does not work in various adaptations, students will learn how to approach source material and develop their own unique perspective. Students will complete a final adaptation project of a first act for a feature or a television pilot based on material in the public domain.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Practical experience writing a first draft feature length screenplay.

Prerequisite: SCWR 501
Film and Television Production graduate majors only.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Practical experience in writing production-ready short scripts based on or inspired by their existing feature or pilot TV scripts or for a stand-alone project.

Prerequisite: SCWR 501 or SCWR 510 or SCWR 511.
Graduate students only.
School of Film and Television majors only.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

This class uses horror films to explore the concept of humanity. It covers topics like the protagonist's desires, the role of the monster, and the evolution of the genre. Students will analyze films, identify key influences, and examine themes like rites of passage and the female body. The class will culminate in writing an outline and the first act of a screenplay or pilot that reflects on the human condition through the lens of fear.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

This course focuses on the later stages of film production, including packaging, finance, sales, and marketing. Students will come to class with their well-developed project and will examine films in the marketplace, the work of marketers and distributors, using case studies and hands-on exercises.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

This course teaches students how to analyze and create concepts for TV and film, providing an overview of the entertainment industry and how to sell ideas. Teams will be formed to develop and pitch original comedy and drama TV shows and film concepts. Additionally, students will research and report on the needs of film studios and TV buyers.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

This course explores the changing world of television through the development of digital distribution, branded entertainment, and web series. Students will develop their own idea which will then be developed into a pitch. The semester will culminate in showing and pitching their web series or alternate digital content to branded and digital buyers.
This course may not be repeated for degree credit.

Special Elective Topics

Independent Studies based on consent of department chair