OCOE 2115 - Toying with stories : principles of fiction writing

« Toying with stories » is a crash-course in storytelling and TV-writing for writers and/or entertainment professionals. Each workshop is divided in 2 parts : one-hour theory, during which students learn the main storytelling techniques or meet with professionals (showrunners, broadcasters, producers, writers). One-hour practice, where students experience the writing room and use those techniques to create compelling and challenging stories.

This course is aimed at students willing to get a better understanding of storytelling mechanisms, in order to become writers/screenwriters or pursue a career in the entertainment and creative industries (cinema, television, videogames). A very strong personal interest in the film/TV industries and in creative writing highly recommended. Film history and overall knowledge of media aesthetics/video production/acting are a plus.

In order to be able to make the most of these workshops, students are expected to study « storytelling theory » in between classes. The workshops will entirely be devoted to a) meeting creative writing professionals and b) putting theory into practice by writing their own episodes.

Students will write the 5-pages outline of a pre-existing TV show. Students will be evaluated on their overall creativity and on their capacity to use the techniques taught in class. Overall involvement with the material and classroom presence will also contribute to their grade.

The workshop will be "pass" or "fail". The validation of the workshop will be based on class participation, timely compliance with deadlines and the overall quality of the writing assignments.

Students will outline most of their episode during workshops - but are expected to finish writing after the final workshop is finished. Students will also be asked to watch specific content from one class to the other, and provide feedback on their classmates' work-in-progress.