Free or cheap contests/classes/workshops?

[ShannonR.]

Do you all know of any free or cheap writing helps? By 'helps', I mean classes, online classes, contests, special software packages, etc. A friend of mine and several websites/newsletters I read mention several things that sound like they would help me tremendously in getting my first screenplay done...I would love to take advantage of them, but they are so *expensive*! Right now I can't afford to spend anything to enter a contest or take a class...and certainly not the $80+ I see from The Writers Store or Screenwriting Goldmine. And $80 is on the *low end*-a lot of things are in the $100-$150 range!

Are there any free or cheap writing helps you can recommend for beginners? I use Celtx for my software and have a couple of books on Kindle and 'hard copy', but all of the internet courses and other helps seem to be way beyond my price range. Thanks!

[alleycat]

I took one of "cheap" online screenwriting courses a few years ago. It was okay, but the benefit wasn't much greater than what I would have gotten out of studying one of the better books on screenplays. About the only advantage was having "assignments" to complete along with chatting with others who were trying to write their first screenplay, which helps to keep someone focused on the work.

My suggestion would be to buy a copy of The Screenwriter's Bible if you don't have it already and study it from cover to cover (the author of the book was the instructor for the online class I took). Then maybe read a few other books on screenwriting and read a lot of scripts.

The cheaper online classes really aren't that much (certainly not if you looking to pay $40 for one). You might get to talk a little with an instructor, but it's mostly getting pre-packaged reading and writing assignments. It's not anything like a college class on writing.

[ShannonR.]

Ah, okay, I wasn't sure if the classes were like an online college class or not. I have the hardest time paying attention in things like that. My friend has Final Draft (i keep hearing people gush about that), gotten the other software and has heard the lectures and it's helped her tremendously, but everything is so expensive.

I guess screenwriters make a lot of money, so they can afford things like that? If not, why does it all cost so much?

And I *love* your avatar! I am soooo tempted to steal it!

[alleycat]

You can take online classes that are college classes (such as from UCLA), but they are much more expensive than what you want to pay.

I use MM Screenwriter; it and Final Draft are the main professional software programs. There is freeware that will serve you just as well for now (such as ScriptSmart or Celtx).

Again, I would suggest studying The Screenwriter's Bible as a good beginning. You can get the latest version for less than $20, and a used copy of it or an earlier version for $10. If you have a story to tell, you just need some pointers about how things are done and what is expected in a professional script.

Steal my avatar if you'd like; I will be replacing it in a few days. I change avatars about once a week.

[ShannonR.]

Cool, I have a lot of cat pictures if you like those. I have five cats!

Anyway, I like Celtx so far. I'm working my way through Writing Screenplays That Sell, slowly but surely. Next time I get some money or an Amazon gift card, I'll probably try to find the book you mentioned used. I've also been reading some scripts for reference, but I'm not sure how helpful that is yet.

What sorts of things have you all found or used that can be helpful, but didn't make your wallet scream in pain when you bought them?

[sharpyetblunt]

Software and competitions wont help you write your screenplay. You dont need any software to write your screenplay. Just write it. You can format it later if you want. Dont pay for any classes unless you want some moral support. Just read some screenwriting books, read scripts and write. It should cost very little.

[Gateway]

Originally Posted by ShannonR.

Do you all know of any free or cheap writing helps?

There are always new links appearing on this forum.

Post any particular problem here and you'll get help.

[Wtrailer]

I feel the best way to learn the craft is to simply read an endless amount of screenplays. Read three or four a week. It will all come together as you read and begin writing. Those classes only exist to provide jobs for writers who can't make a living writing... and to take your money.

[DevelopmentExec]

Originally Posted by Wtrailer

I feel the best way to learn the craft is to simply read an endless amount of screenplays. Read three or four a week. It will all come together as you read and begin writing. Those classes only exist to provide jobs for writers who can't make a living writing... and to take your money.

Classes exist for a lot of reasons - most notably to help writers learn the craft. Different people learn different things in different ways. For some having concepts taught to them in a formal learning environment and being able to ask questions and get feedback from a teacher/professor - is the quickest and easiest way to learn.

For me having a conscious understanding of the craft (which I got while earning a film degree) allowed me to get a lot more out of reading screenplays - I knew the different aspect of the craft and then could see how professionals executed those aspects of the craft. I don't know if I would have really understood things like developing a character arc - just from reading scripts - if I didn't already understand what a character arc was and what purpose it served.

Also many of the teachers at schools like UCLA and USC - teach because they want to pass on their knowledge, not because they don't make money as professional screenwriters.

I am always bewildered by those who think there is something wrong with people earning money educating aspiring screenwriters. There are people teaching all other types of arts and crafts - but you never hear people griping that someone giving painting lessons or piano lessons is "just out to take your money."

[dennis7490]

Read screenplays and write. Read and write. Read and write. There are at least several free programs to help you with formatting, which is really very, very basic. Don't get caught up in the mumbo jumbo stuff. Just, action, dialogue, cut to, and a few others and you are off and running. You can complicate things down the line. Right now stick to basics and read and write.

[ShannonR.]

Originally Posted by DevelopmentExec

Classes exist for a lot of reasons - most notably to help writers learn the craft. Different people learn different things in different ways. For some having concepts taught to them in a formal learning environment and being able to ask questions and get feedback from a teacher/professor - is the quickest and easiest way to learn.

For me having a conscious understanding of the craft (which I got while earning a film degree) allowed me to get a lot more out of reading screenplays - I knew the different aspect of the craft and then could see how professionals executed those aspects of the craft. I don't know if I would have really understood things like developing a character arc - just from reading scripts - if I didn't already understand what a character arc was and what purpose it served.

Also many of the teachers at schools like UCLA and USC - teach because they want to pass on their knowledge, not because they don't make money as professional screenwriters.

I am always bewildered by those who think there is something wrong with people earning money educating aspiring screenwriters. There are people teaching all other types of arts and crafts - but you never hear people griping that someone giving painting lessons or piano lessons is "just out to take your money."

I learn both ways-by instruction and example. It's very helpful for me to be able to take notes and ask questions in terms of the principles (like you mentioned, a character arc), but I'd like to have at least one or two well-written screenplays so that I can see the principles in action. If that makes sense.

I've seen it written several times that writers should never enter their first screenplay in a contest. I'm not sure why that is? Maybe the first ones suck, but what about free ones and/or ones that provide feedback? I would think that would be a 'prize' in and of itself, and maybe a class of sorts.

Aside from online courses, do you all know of any classes that are *not* in California? I'm outside Atlanta...we seem to have everything else here, so maybe we have that too.

[sekime]

For me, I've learned a lot from Michael Hauge's book, "Writing Screenplays That Sell" and Jeff Kitchen's stuff. All his stuff is absolute gold.

http://www.writersstore.com/instructors/jeff-kitchen/

I think his book, "Writing a Great Movie: Key Tools for Successful Screenwriting" is amazing. I think he recently made it available on the Kindle too, but I have the physical book. I just looked, $12 on the Kindle.

[Gateway]

Originally Posted by ShannonR.

Do you all know of any free or cheap writing helps?

Get on your knees and thank God for youtube.

John August, Kal Bashir, Robert Mckee all have youtube channels.

Right now I'm viewing Mike Newell at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyLmb...eature=related

[MyBrainReallyHurts]

I also wanted to learn screenwriting on a budget. I looked at several online classes but they were just out of my price range. I would recommend the following:

http://www.gointothestory.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Story-Substanc...keywords=story
http://www.amazon.com/Screenplay-Fou...ref=pd_sim_b_2
http://www.amazon.com/Save-Last-Book...d_bxgy_b_img_y

I have honestly learned the most from the first link. I would read the other three so you have an idea about story, and structure, and then forget them so they don't get in the way of your story, which is the most important.

Celtx is a good product to use while you are learning. It is free so it is hard to go wrong with that price.

Your first script will be bad and will need a rewrite...or seven...or seventeen. Just get it down on paper so you can fix it.

Read scripts. Don't just read produced scripts, search for and read BAD scripts. Once you have read 120 pages where the characters do nothing, go nowhere, and there is absolutely no story, you will never, ever, ever make that same mistake.

[sekime]

I've stopped purchasing any more courses and books. I have a few, but I've also found everything I need. The last stuff I watched, was also the very best.

Pilar Alessandra's On The Page DVD is absolute gold. It's like taking a course. $27.95 http://www.writersstore.com/on-the-p...ar-alessandra/

It goes over everything you need. Absolutely fantastic. Just to show my appreciation for it, because I felt it was a steal, and just to show my support, I bought Minute Pitch for $13.95, and I was blown away again.
http://www.writersstore.com/minute-p...ar-alessandra/

So for $42, it's like a screenwriting course that you can play over and over again.

I also found out that she has a free podcast:
http://onthepagepodcast.com/

The other free podcast worth looking at is by John August and Craig Mazon. http://johnaugust.com/podcast

There is so much information available for free and for very little money. At some point, you also just have to stop trying to learn everything, and write. For me, the stuff above with stuff from Jeff Kitchen and Karl Iglesias is more information than I will ever need. I would rather spend my money on DVDs than online courses or classroom courses.

[ShannonR.]

MyBrainReallyHurts, I love your name!
How would you find the bad scripts, and know them as such?

Sorry I haven't been back to this thread in a bit; I had surgery about a month ago and recovery takes a lot out of me. I have been reading and looking through the links, though, and wanted to check in and let you know I'm still here!

I'll definitely have to look at those podcasts! I didn't even think of that and the DVDs.
I've been doing a good bit of writing too.