Screenwriting: Write Like a Director

This course teaches students to approach screenwriting with a director's mindset, focusing on the unique aspects of creating visual stories for micro-films. The curriculum follows a structured approach to script development, beginning with establishing a clear theme as the foundation for all subsequent writing decisions. Students learn that theme must not only be clearly articulated but must also provide decisive guidance throughout the screenwriting process. The course then progresses to character development, teaching students to create three-dimensional characters with clear motivations and character arcs. Emphasis is placed on creating active characters whose pursuit of goals forms the narrative core, and designing character journeys that allow audiences to form emotional connections. The third section covers plot development, exploring how plot reflects the writer's worldview and stance on human nature. Students learn about plot points, conflict escalation, and how to structure narrative elements to shape characters and express themes effectively. The final module addresses adaptation techniques when transforming literary works into micro-films, as well as practical analysis of successful micro-film screenplays. Through examination of specific examples, students learn to evaluate thematic expression, character creation, and plot arrangement in existing works, thereby gaining insights for their own creative process.