How to Structure Your Story Like a Hollywood Blockbuster
Go beyond the simple beginning-middle-end understanding of a story to learn what makes Hollywood movies so captivating and successful.
What's included
1 live meeting
1 hrs 15 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 9 - 12
Intermediate - Advanced Level
In this class, you will discover the structure behind the stories we all know and love. You will learn important terms used by industry professionals and understand why successful stories work the way they do. As examples, we will study The Incredibles, Star Wars (1977), and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. You will see how the writers of these films follow strict rules to make their stories more engaging, and you will learn how you can apply the same concepts to your own stories. To get the most out of this class, you should already have a solid grasp of basic story elements like plot, character, etc. This is a great opportunity for intermediate or advanced learners who want to take their writing to the next level, whether it be for a screenplay, novel, or some other format. Since there is a lot to cover, the class will consist primarily of lecture with PowerPoint (slides and notes will be provided). After going through the terms and examples, there will be an opportunity for Q&A — if you have a story you're currently working on, bring it with you!
Learning Goals
Students will understand common elements and features of Hollywood films, including lock-in, midpoint, and reversal, and know where they typically occur.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
We will be referring to the films The Incredibles, Star Wars (1977), and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, as well as other successful Hollywood films. The plots of these films contain some violence and scariness.
Pre-Requisites
Learners should have basic knowledge of story structure, including conflict, resolution, character, etc.
Supply List
Handouts and notes will be made available during the class.
Joined May, 2024
Teacher expertise and credentials
Teacher of all things English-related. I primarily teach advanced students looking to take their skills to the next level; but I also enjoy explaining the basics, making language arts accessible and easy to understand. I strive to keep content lively and relevant. I believe that writing, reading, and philosophy are for everyone.
My background: I hold a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Teaching. For nine years, I worked as a high school classroom teacher, giving instruction in creative writing, Shakespeare, and science fiction, as well as Advanced Placement English courses. I also created an after-school philosophy club where students could meet to discuss and debate all sorts of questions. As a tutor, I have worked with students as young as 8 and as old as 18, teaching everything from elementary math to the political philosophy of Plato.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$20
per classMeets once
75 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 14-18
1-12 learners per class
