Script Consulting

 

You will get the full effect of a moonlight night if you write that on the mill-dam, a little glowing star-point flashed from the neck of a broken bottle and the round, black shadow of a wolf, emerged and ran. — Anton Chekhov

 

FROM IDEA TO SCRIPT: A HANDS-ON INTIMATE WEEKEND RETREAT

 

In Hollywood near the intersection of La Brea and Beverly Blvd.

Limited to 5 participants

July 8 – 10, 2016

Friday 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Sunday 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 

Bring a script that needs work, or just an idea, to this safe, nurturing workshop — you will leave with a clear vision of your screenplay, well-developed characters, a few key scenes written, and the inspiration and guidance to finish your script.

The weekend will include a thorough examination of screenplay structure using film-clips, and exercises that relate to the work of each participant.  Writing sessions begin with short exercises that free the imagination.  There will be private consultations with Elana, and a significant time for hands-on writing of your script.

 

Fee: $700  (includes vegetarian lunches, teas and snacks). $300 deposit upon pre-registration, non refundable after June 18.  First come, first served.  Reserve a space now.

 

Private sessions in writing your script are available.  Fees vary depending on the project.   

 

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The journey of writing a screenplay is fascinating but can become lonely and you’ll be happy to have another pair of eyes and ears.  Elana coaches screenplay writing from the incept point or enters the process at any stage of script development.  She works with writers one-on-one, and teaches hands-on weekend retreats to groups no larger than seven screenwriters.

Whether you chose the private sessions, the weekend retreat, or a combination of both, you will be inspired, guided and supported as you make your choices on story and structure, character, theme and subtext, visual detail and dialogue, and all other forks-on-the-road you will come to when writing your screenplay.

 

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What screenwriters say:

“Attending a screenwriting class taught by Elana is like having the veil of mystery pulled off the screenwriting process. Beginning with viewing a well-known film, the student sees the process from Act to Act and can visualize theory as it occurs on screen. After this session, emphasis shifts to writing. Scene by scene writing. The scenes are read to the other students and Elana supplies other possibilities for story direction. The retreat is a great way to begin or tighten up an idea and make it into a working script in a nurturing, peaceful environment.” Caroline McSweeney, novelist, screenwriter
“I recently took Elana’s screenwriting retreat and then followed it with private sessions. I had never written a screenplay nor did I have a clue as to how to proceed about it. I am absolutely impressed with the way Elana showed us, step by step, how to deconstruct a story to its bare bones to find the structure of the script so that we could then, begin to write it. This is a hands-on, practical workshop, with care and dedication to each student according to their needs. I highly recommend.” Mimi Fuenzalida, director, cinematographer, editor

 

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Photo by Mimi Fuenzalida