$7

weekly

or $45 for all content

Film - Writing Short Form Visual Media

Ages 12-14

Self-Paced Course

This course familiarizes middle and high school students with the process for writing for short form visual narratives. By identifying defined elements in media and scripts, students explore how to express themselves as visual storytellers

Sharri Hefner

7 pre-recorded lessons

7 weeks of teacher support

Choose your start date

1 year of access to the content

Enroll Now, Start Anytime

Go at your own pace

Your learner can start learning when they want and progress at the speed that works best for them.

Enroll Now, Start Anytime

Start when you want.

Learn at your own pace

Access course material for a full year.

Get hands-on support from teacher.

About Learning Overview Schedule Teacher Reviews

What's included

7 pre-recorded lessons

average 33 mins per video

7 weeks

of teacher support

3 hrs 48 mins

total video learning hours

1 year access

to the content

Assignments

1-2 hours per week. Each week, students will have the option to complete a terminology quiz and a topic worksheet. These assignments will help build elements for the final script assignment. All assignments are optional, but help the learner grasp the concepts covered in class.

Assessment

Assessments can be provided as a letter grade and written assessment of student development during the course. Instructor is happy to tailor assessments to requirements of charters or PSAs.

Class Experience

US Grade 7 - 12

Beginner - Intermediate Level

This course is designed to familiarize middle school and high school students with the
process for writing for short form visual narratives. By identifying defined elements in
visual media and scripts, students will explore how to express themselves in the
screenplay form. This is a self-paced, asynchronous class. Each week, students will watch a video, take an optional terminology assessment, and complete a topic based brainstorming worksheet. The worksheets are designed to support the final project, a visual media script. Support from the instructor is provided for 8-weeks after the date of purchase. While no official grade will be issued, each module has a terms quiz that can be used for assessment purposes. For those who are homeschooling, the instructor can provide a grade for the final script upon request.

Learning Goals

1. Engage fully with visual storytelling concepts and apply them to their own writing;

2. Develop an idea with the appropriate scope;

Syllabus

7 Lessons

over 7 Weeks

Lesson 1:

Intro to Short Form

 During this class session, you will:
• [ML01] Understand the basics of writing for short form;
• [ML02] Discover how to brainstorm ideas with the appropriate scope;
• [ML03] View how to craft conflict in action;
• [ML04] Identify the pillars of narrative structure; and
• [ML05] Convert thematic ideas to visuals.

43 mins of video lessons

Lesson 2:

Character

 During this class session, you will:
• [ML01] Understand how to develop character;
• [ML02] Apply character elements to plot;
• [ML03] Develop character vulnerability;
• [ML04] Keep character visually active; and
• [ML05] Synthesize character and plot to craft theme.

30 mins of video lessons

Lesson 3:

Structure

 During this class session, you will:
• [ML01] Understand the basic structure of short form;
• [ML02] Utilize character behavior to determine plot twists;
• [ML03] Represent character transformation visually; and
• [ML04] Apply short form structure to your own writing.

31 mins of video lessons

Lesson 4:

Dialogue

 During this class session, you will:
• [ML01] Understand the purpose of film dialogue;
• [ML02] Uncover how to write effective speech for visual media;
• [ML03] View common dialogue execution missteps; and
• [ML04] Use dialogue to move the audience emotionally.

49 mins of video lessons

Other Details

Learning Needs

Lecture videos, transcripts and worksheets provided.

Parental Guidance

Every effort has been made to make the material referenced in class accessible to all learners.

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Sources

Clips from Pixar and Disney films will be shown in class. It is recommended but not required that students watch the entire films outside of class time.

Meet the teacher

Sharri Hefner

Joined November, 2024

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Master's Degree in Film/Cinema/Video Studies from New York University

I have over a decade of experience as a filmmaker and a film professor. I have also taught at the middle school, high school, conservatory, BFA, MFA and PhD levels. I homeschooled my own children from 2nd through 8th grades. Because of this, I have found methods for different learning styles that lead to student success. I hold an MFA from NYU and am pursuing a PhD at Trinity.