The ShanghaiTech University - USC School of Cinematic Arts screenwriting and directing workshops are now accepting applications. The non-commercial, non-degree certificate workshops are initiated and organized by ShanghaiTech University. The workshops are recipients of Shanghai Film Development Fund and are aimed at introducing top-notch North American Film Education into Shanghai and also industrial protocols. The workshops are going to be taught by USC SCA faculties, as well as industry expertise from China and the US. Those who have completed the course work will be awarded a certificate co-signed by ShanghaiTech University and USC SCA.
I. SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP
1、GENERAL INFORMATION
TIME：Sep 14th– Dec 2nd, 11 WEEKS IN TOTAL
FRIDAY AFTERNOONS, SATURDAYS AFTERNOONS, AND SUNDAY AFTERNOONS
BREAK DURING THE NATIONAL HOLIDAY
LOCATION: ShanghaiTech University (Free Accommodation Provided For Non-Shanghai Locals)
CLASS SCALE: 10 people
LANGUAGE：English, with Chinese Translation and Interpretation
WORKSHOP CONTENT: Scene writing and writing techniques; character development; writing for genre films; ideation; step-outline writing; script analyses; pitch skills
ASSIGNMENTS AND FINAL DELIVERABLES：
1）Scene writing Assignments
2）The step outline of a feature-length film（outstanding works will have the opportunity to access resources for the script’s further development）
FEE: 30,000 RMB
2、REQUIRMENTS
QUALIFICATION：The applicant should have professional experiences in screenwriting and have completed scripts for either Films or TVs
APPLICATION MATERIALS：Please complete the application form and send along samples of your past works as well as the Scene Writing Challenge
HOW TO APPLY：
Please download the 2018SHANGHAITECH-USC SCREENWRITING WORKSHOP APPLICATION FORM, complete it and prepare all the required documents. Please read and follow the instructions closely according to the application form.
1) Please use the prompt of “Two strangers are trapped in an elevator at the New Year’s eve” to create a short story up to 1000 Chinese characters (in both English and Chinese)
2) Autobiographical Character Sketch: Write a creative essay or short story that evokes an understanding of how you became who you are. This should reflect your individuality. It’s not a resume (in Chinese, no more than 1,000 characters).
3) Please provide an excerpt of one of your scripts up to 15 pages（please indicate if the script was produced）
3、DEADLINES AND SUBMISSION：
If you need ShanghaiTech University to help translate your ELEVATOR CHALLENGE, the deadline is June 29th, 2018.
If you decide to translate the ELEVATOR CHALLENGE yourself, the deadline is July 13th, 2018.
Please send over the application form and other supplementary materials to screenwriting@shanghaitech.edu.cnw/subject line: “YOUR NAME – 2018 ShanghaiTech-USC Screenwriting Workshop Application”. The admission committee will start the selection process upon receipt.
II. DIRECTING WORKSHOP AND THE SHORT FILM PROJECT
1、GENERAL INFORMATION
TIME: JUNE 11TH– AUGUST 17TH, 5 WEEKS IN L.A., 5 WEEKS IN SHANGHAI
LOCATIONS: First five weeks: Los Angeles (University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts); Second five weeks: Shanghai (non-Shanghai locals can use ShanghaiTech University’s dorm for free; we will also help with the accommodation of your crew subject to our dorm building’s capacity)
CLASS SCALE：Up to 15 people
LANGUAGE: English, with Chinese translation and Interpretation
WORKSHOP CONTENT:
1）LA Module: Screenwriting; Relationship between Characters（re-make of classic scenes）；Casting; Cinematography and Editing
2）Shanghai Module: Preproduction of the short film; production of the short film (under the instruction of USC instructor)
ASSIGNMENTS AND FINAL DELIVERABLES
1）In-class and after-class assignments
2）A 8-10 min Short Film
FEE: 30,000 RMB （excluding fees related to visa application, flight, accommodation and per diem）
2、REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATION：The applicant should have experience in film or video production, and have works of which s/he is credited as the director
APPLICATION MATERIALS: Please provide links to your past works, as well as the synopsis and full script of an 8-10 min script
HOW TO APPLY：
Please download 2018 SHANGHAITECH-USC DIRECTING WORKSHOP APPLICATION FORM, complete it and prepare all the required materials. Please read the instructions closely according to the application form.
1 ) Please the links to 1-2 short films or short videos of which you are credited as the director, or a sequence from an episode or a feature film; all samples should be English subtitled; if not, please provide English translation of the script.
2) Please create a synopsis and a script of an 8-10 min long short film (the synopsis should be no more than 150 Chinese characters); you can write your own script, or you can collaborate with a writer. Both the synopsis and the script should be submitted in both Chinese and English. Please read closely and follow the instruction in the application form.
3、DEADLINE AND SUBMISSION：
If you’d like ShanghaiTech to translate the synopsis and script, the deadline is Apr 7th, 2018
If you’d like to translate the synopsis and script yourself, the deadline is April 19th, 2018
Please send the application form along with other materials to directing@shanghaitech.edu.cn, subject line: “YOUR NAME－2018 SHANGHAITECH-USC DIRECTING WORKSHOP APPLICATION”, the admission committee will start the selection process upon receipt of your information.
4、SHORT FILM SUPPORT PROJECT
In order to support young and emerging filmmakers, ShanghaiTech University collaborates with SMG Pictures to provide production support to the participants of the Directing Workshop, including the camera, renting the stage, hiring actors and renting post-production suite. In the meantime, ShanghaiTech and SMG Pictures will select 10 projects to fund each selected project cash award of 80,000 RMB. SMG Pictures will retain the copyright and distribution rights of the short film. The workshop participant will have full credit to the work. Please follow ShanghaiTech University’s wechat account（上科大创艺）for further information.
TIMELINE OF THE SHORT FILM SUPPORT PROJECT
1）Early April: The selection committee of ShanghaiTech and USC SCA reps will select a pool of finalists from all the applications.
2）Late April: Reps of ShanghaiTech and SMG Pictures will conduct face to face interviews with the finalists.
3）Early May: Notification.
4）Late June or Early July, two weeks into the LA module, SMG Pictures will evaluate the scripts developed by the participants and select 10 projects to provide funding; all projects will start pre-production after this.
5）Mid July to Mid August, Production and Post-production of the Short Films in Shanghai; screening of the fine cut at the end of the workshop
6）Two weeks after the workshop ends, all funded projects should be finished and submitted to SMG Pictures for distribution
7）For the projects not funded, the participants could prepare the production with their own resources, and could change the scripts under the instruction of the instructor.
III. COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
1、Regular Attendance and Completion of Course Assignments
2、Participants who successfully finish the coursework throughout the workshop will be awarded the completion certificate co-signed by ShanghaiTech University and USC School of Cinematic Arts.
IV. CONTACT INFORMATION
WECHAT PUBLIC ACCOUNT：上科大创艺（We will regularly publish updates to our programs）
WECHAT SERVICE ACCOUNT：18917008036（wechat only, please）
CONTACT PERSONS：Ms. QIN; Ms. ZHANG
TEL：021-20685066; 021-20685598（Mon thu Fri，10:00-11:30，14:00-17:00）
EMAILS：screenwriting@shanghaitech.edu.cn（Screenwriting）
directing@shanghaitech.edu.cn（Directing）
ADD：4thFL, School of Creative Arts, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai
