Acclaimed L.A. screenwriting guru John Truby brings his first workshop to Austin: The two-day 22-Step Story Structure seminar will take place at the Omni Hotel downtown, March 27-28, 9:30am-5:30pm. Truby’s Writers Studio method eschews (as fine for theatre but wrong for film) the traditional three-act approach to creating a film script, in favor of what he calls developing the “deep structure” that tracks a hero’s moral and emotional growth. Come learn why Truby believes that the film Intolerable Cruelty “shows once again why combining love and comedy is among the most difficult tasks in fiction writing. Love wants to get close. Comedy wants to step back and make fun. If you don’t find the right balance between the two, you’re dead.”
Among former workshop attendees are writers, directors, or producers of Shrek, The Mask of Zorro, The Negotiator, Outbreak, Sleepless in Seattle, The Addams Family, Beetlejuice, Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Back to School, Rambling Rose, and Star Wars. Truby’s guarantee: If, after the first two hours, you don’t think this is the best writing class you have ever taken, he’ll refund your money and give you $20 for your time. Class limited to 100 participants. $295. Register online at www.screenwriterworkshop.com; for more information call 328-5321.
This article appears in March 26 • 2004.