Great Screenplays, Great Films?

From bad acting to questionable production, the best screenplay can become a sad mess on film. In this three session course, screenwriter Nicole Pouchet examines the good, the bad, and the god-awful.

October 16, 2019

Classes

A screenplay is only the skeleton of a film. That script can be masterful, invoke profound emotion, and inspire cast and crew to action. But, it's the execution of the screenplay, on set and in the edit, that makes the film come alive. Join screenwriter Nicole Pouchet for a three-week course exploring how the best screenplays have become award-winning masterpieces or spectacular flops.

SIFF year-round passes and vouchers are not valid for this event.

Class Specifics:
3 Wednesdays, October 16 - 30, 2019
7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
SIFF Film Center classroom
$50 | $45 SIFF Members (price includes all three class sessions)

Certificated Educators: This class is available for 7 Continuing Education Clock Hours through the Puget Sound Educational Service District. Please email us if you have any questions.

Class Syllabus:
October 16: The Best of the Drama - Great drama usually can't rely on flashy CGI or horror tropes. The story has to shine on its own.
Lady Bird (2017), written by Greta Gerwig
Passengers (2016), written by Jon Spaihts

October 23: Big Budget IP. Big Pay-off? - Here's a look at how the Hollywood's dedication to Intellectual Property has paid off or struck out for the big leagues.
Black Panther (2018), written by Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole
47 Ronin (2013), written by Chris Morgan & Hossein Amini

Week 3: Thriller/Horror - On the day before Halloween, we'll explore the fastest growing genre in film.
Get Out (2017), written by Jordan Peele
Alien: Resurrection (1997), written by Joss Whedon

Class Workload:
We will review six films and their screenplays over the course of the class sessions. There will be spoilers! The original scripts of these films will be provided ahead of time for those who wish to read ahead. The class will be taught as if students are familiar with the films yet have never read the accompanying screenplays. All are welcome!

About the Instructor:
A former Broadway assistant director, Nicole Pouchet is a published novelist and a screenwriter for Zombie Orpheus Entertainment's fantasy TV series, "Strowlers." Books from her paranormal romance series have ranked #1 on bestseller lists and won second prize in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest. Her latest manuscript won first place in a Romance Writers of America contest. Nicole is a Board Member for the Northwest Screenwriters Guild and a guest lecturer for the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business. She graduated from Duke University with a focus in Film & Video. Since selling her marketing agency in 2016, Nicole spends her hours writing and raising two sons with her spouse.