Talent is the ability to be yourself on the page. Time: Sat-Sun, Sept 25-26, 2010 10am-6pm Location: 462 Broadway, NYC Fees: $285

Participants at a screenwriting workshop. Photograph by Ela Thier

STORY STRUCTURE & CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS: How do you structure a story while enjoying the creative process and allowing for fresh surprises? Discover Ela Thier's unique approach to writing, which joins craft and structure with inspiration. These tools will ease and enrich your writing life for years to come. This rigorous workshop is excellent for writers at all levels of experience, as well as directors, producers, and anyone in the field who works with writers or is interested in the art of story-telling.   COURSE DESCRIPTION SATURDAY 10am-12:30pm: WRITING MEANINGFUL HIT MOVIES Know how to recognize the strongest elements in your writing, and maximize the emotional impact of your work. Discover a powerful common element to movies that leave their mark, and find out why artistic integrity and commercial viability go hand in hand. 12:30-1:30 Lunch   1:30-3:30pm: STORY STRUCTURE & CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS, Part I How do you structure a story while enjoying the creative process and allowing for fresh surprises? Be guided through writing exercises that will free you to explore as you organically discover rather than invent, the structural foundation of your story.   3:30-6:00pm: STORY STRUCTURE & CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS, Part 2 Create a story scaffolding that guides rather than dictates your story. This class will walk you through an organic process of creating a simple, one-page outline that offers just enough detail to ensure a sound story arc, while leaving you room to discover the story as you write it.   SUNDAY   10-12:30pm: HUMAN CONNECTION Whether it's Die Hard or Once, at the center of almost every story is a human relationship. Learn how to create a meaningful, well-paced, and believable story arc, by focusing on  relationships rather than plot.   12:30-1:30: Lunch 1:30-3:30: THE HERO'S JOURNEY Learn how to identify the universal archetypes in your story, as described in Christopher Vogler's book The Writer's Journey. When misunderstood, this tool can push writers towards cliches and impersonal stories. When used responsibly and creatively, these timeless archetypes become powerful tools that open possibilities, sharpen a story, and allow for fresher thinking. 3:45-5pm: SCENE WORK Polish your script until every scene sparkles. Dabble in acting and directing through improv exercises to help sustain an emotional connection with your work.   WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU WATCH WHALE RIDER AND SHREK (I) AS WE'LL BE REFERRING TO THEM THROUGHOUT THE WORKSHOP TO DRAW EXAMPLES.