Screenwriting & Story Development

InstructorTabassum JahanScreenwriter & Story Development Professional

About This Course

Learn the fundamentals of screenwriting and story development through a practical, hands-on course designed for aspiring writers, filmmakers, and storytellers. From understanding screenplay formatting and developing strong story concepts to applying established storytelling structures, character development, emotional elements, and professional writing tools, this 10-week course takes students through the complete process of developing an idea into a workable screenplay.

Students will study established storytelling models such as the Three-Act Structure, Hero’s Journey, Dan Harmon’s Story Circle, Chekhov’s Gun, Rule of Three, and other practical storytelling tools. Through weekly exercises, discussions, examples from popular films and series, and continuous development of their own stories, students will build the skills needed to write engaging and production-ready screenplays.

By the end of the course, students will develop a semi-complete 8-15 page screenplay that can be further developed into a larger project. Students can also write for the children’s series Adventures in Mayapur and get a chance to join the writing room.

Modules Covered:

Screenwriting vs. Creative Writing
Screenplay Formatting & Writing Tools
Story Concept & Logline Development
Three-Act Structure
Hero’s Journey
Dan Harmon’s Story Circle
Beat Sheet & Treatment
Sensory Elements & Emotional Storytelling
Chekhov’s Gun & Rule of Three
Character, Conflict & Catharsis
Story Pacing & Reality
Final Screenplay Development

Instructor

Tabassum Jahan

Screenwriter & Story Development Professional

Tabassum Jahan is a screenwriter with over five years of experience crafting narratives for audiences as varied as grassroots communities, development professionals, donors, and children’s TV shows. Her work includes the animated children’s series Adventures in Mayapur as a staff writer, and humanitarian scripts for UNDP.

She is also an expert trainer of story crafting techniques, and has taken multiple training sessions of root-level beneficiaries for iNGOs. It is important to look beyond simply telling a story, to understand what makes an audience care, connect, and respond. She brings this audience-focused approach to her screenwriting practice, with particular interest in story structure, character, emotion, and the craft of turning an idea into a compelling narrative. She is currently a writer for Adventures in Mayapur, creating stories for young audiences.

Curriculum

10 Classes

10 weeks · Saturday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Online)

Class 1: Screenwriting vs. Creative WritingUnderstand how screenwriting differs from traditional creative writing and learn the fundamental language, structure, formatting, and tools used in a screenplay.

Difference between creative writing and screenwriting
Understanding the objective of a screenplay
Identifying target audience and purpose
Commercial, marketing, and social considerations
Screenwriting tone and writing style
Scene headings, formatting, action and character descriptions
Stage directions and special screenplay notations
Introduction to screenplay writing software
Practice: Convert a well-known story section into a 1-2 page screenplay

Class 2: Developing a Story Part ILearn the basic structures that make stories coherent, engaging, and easy to follow.

Understanding story structure
Three-Act Structure: setup, confrontation, and resolution
Hero’s Journey and major story stages
Identifying turning points in popular films
Steps of developing a story
Concept development and writing a strong logline
Practice: Identify structure in selected films and develop an original logline

Class 3: Developing a Story Part IIExplore alternative storytelling structures and learn how to use them to develop a stronger narrative.

Dan Harmon’s Story Circle
Understanding the eight stages of the Story Circle
Asking the right story-development questions
Comparing different storytelling structures
Applying structure to original ideas
Practice: Break down a familiar film using the Story Circle

Class 4: The Architecture of a StoryLearn how to transform a basic concept and logline into a structured, workable story.

From concept to story
Developing a strong logline
Beat sheet and understanding story beats
Treatment writing
Planning story progression and timing major story events
Using established structures to plan a screenplay
Practice: Develop concept + logline + beat sheet + treatment

Class 5: Making a Story Humane Part ILearn how sensory details can make a screenplay more tangible, immersive, and believable.

Using sensory elements in storytelling
Sight and visual details
Touch and physical experience
Creating atmosphere through sensory elements
Connecting sensory details with character and environment
Practice: Apply sensory elements to two scenes from your developing story

Class 6: Making a Story Humane Part IILearn how emotional elements can make stories more engaging, relatable, and memorable.

Understanding emotional engagement
Using humor effectively
Mystery and curiosity as storytelling tools
Balancing different emotional elements
Strengthening the treatment through emotional storytelling
Practice: Apply at least two emotional elements to your story

Class 7: How to Make Your Audience Not Hate You! Part ILearn how strategic storytelling tools can create anticipation, curiosity, and satisfying payoffs.

Introduction to Chekhov’s Gun
Planting and payoff - creating meaningful details
Setting up information for later use
Avoiding unnecessary story elements
Creating audience expectations
Examples from films and series
Practice: Apply Chekhov’s Gun to one element of your developing story

Class 8: How to Make Your Audience Not Hate You! Part IIUnderstand how repetition and patterns can strengthen storytelling and create satisfying narrative moments.

Rule of Three and understanding repetition in storytelling
Creating memorable patterns
Using repetition for humor and emotional impact
Establishing and breaking expectations effectively
Examples from popular films and television
Practice: Apply the Rule of Three to one scene in your story

Class 9: Playing with the Realm of RealityLearn how character, conflict, and emotional resolution work together to create believable and meaningful stories.

Creating believable stories
Character development and motivation
Internal and external conflict
Character choices and consequences
Catharsis and creating emotional resolution
Building layers into a story - making characters and situations feel real
Practice: Apply character, conflict, and catharsis to your screenplay

Class 10: Do You Love Your Creation Now?Review, refine, and strengthen the students’ screenplays while identifying opportunities to improve structure, pacing, character, and audience engagement.

Review of the complete course
In-depth discussion of students’ stories
Identifying the story hook and strengthening the opening
Improving character motivation
Improving pacing and strengthening emotional moments
Final screenplay review and presentation
Final output: A workable 8-15 page semi-complete screenplay

Students and artists making puppets together inside the studio

Why Choose Ogopogo?

We provide comprehensive animation education with industry-leading instructors and cutting-edge techniques used in major studios worldwide.

Certificate of completion for all courses
Industry-standard software and techniques
Build a professional animation portfolio
Lifetime access to course materials and updates
Active community and networking opportunities
Career support and studio connections