Best Screenwriting Teachers of All Time
It is important to remember that even though Hollywood is filled with multi-million dollar budgets and famous actors, at its heart it is still an industry run by people. And so no matter how big the movie may be there are writers who write, directors who direct, producers who produce, managers who manage and agents who represent. People always need people to help them make their ideas a reality. So who are the people who have helped the most in making Hollywood what it is today?
1) Syd Field
Syd Field is considered to be the father of modern screenwriting. His books “Screenplay” and “The Screenwriter’s Workbook” have been translated into 15 different languages and are used as textbooks all over the world. He was a professor at UCLA for over 35 years.
Syd Field combined Aristotelian ideas with a three-act structure of beginning, middle and end to create what is nowadays known as the three-act structure. He also came up with the idea of the inciting incident which is used to determine whether or not a screenplay is working.
2) Robert McKee
Robert McKee is a master storyteller and teacher. He has written numerous books on the subject of screenwriting and storytelling, including the classic Story. His approach to screenwriting is based on the understanding that a good story is not about what happens, but why it happens. By understanding character motivations and plot structure, screenwriters can create stories that are both meaningful and entertaining.
3) Christopher Vogler
Christopher Vogler is a writer and producer who has worked in Hollywood for over 25 years. He is also the author of The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, which is considered to be one of the most important books on screenwriting ever written. Vogler’s approach to screenwriting is based on the understanding that all stories are derived from myths and legends. By understanding the structure and symbolism of these ancient stories, screenwriters can create screenplays that are both original and resonant.
4) Linda Seger
Linda Seger is a screenwriting coach and consultant who has been working in Hollywood for over 30 years. She is the author of six books on screenwriting, including the best-selling Making a Good Script Great. Linda’s approach to screenwriting is based on the understanding that good scripts are not born, but made. By understanding character and story structure, screenwriters can create screenplays that captivate and engage audiences.
5) John Truby
John Truby is a Hollywood consultant who has been working in the industry for over 20 years. He is an award-winning scriptwriter and instructor at UCLA, whose courses are considered to be some of the best in Los Angeles. John’s approach to screenwriting is based on the understanding that character and story are essential elements of a good screenplay. By understanding how characters work together in a story, screenwriters can create strong scripts that engage audiences and translate well to film or television.
6) Richard Walter
Richard Walter is the chairman of the screenwriting department at UCLA. He was one of the original writers for the TV series Cheers and has worked as a writer, director or producer on shows like Roseanne, Coach and Charles in Charge. His approach to screenwriting is based on understanding character motivations and how they affect plot development. By understanding these elements, screenwriters can create screenplays that are both meaningful and entertaining.
7) David Benioff
David Benioff is a screenwriter, producer and author who has worked in Hollywood for over 20 years. He is the co-creator of the TV series Game of Thrones and the author of the novel City of Thieves. His approach to screenwriting is based on understanding how to translate a good story into a great screenplay. By understanding plot structure, character development and dialogue, screenwriters can create scripts that are both original and engaging.
8) Roddy Doyle
Roddy Doyle is an Irish author and screenwriter. He is the author of several novels, including the Booker Prize-winning Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha. His approach to screenwriting is based on understanding how stories are created through dialogue. By working with characters in a scene, screenwriters can create scripts that are both realistic and engaging for audiences.
So there goes the list of the top 8 best screenwriting teachers of all time in my opinion. I hope you enjoyed reading this article and let me know your thoughts about it.