How do you know she has experience to back it up? AB doesn't state that. She appears to being using "Story" as her only text - if she was an experienced writer, would she do that, or would she use her own experience as the basis for her teaching?

In the UK we have a saying

Those who can...do
Those who can't...teach

(and those who can't teach...teach PE)

You have two issues going.

One, do you know more than your teacher about format? Two, is this class too fundamental for you?

Do you know more about format? Maybe. That becomes a matter of style within established boundaries, which have been beat, shot, drawn and quartered, and stabbed to death (the last two are probably redundent).

I'd would have started with INT. BEDROOM - (TIME OF DAY), or maybe if I had the windows blacked out, I would have left time-of-day out, and a mystery, depending on why I started in the bedroom.

Is this class too fundamental? You said you're among noobs. You're the best judge of whether this class is too fundamental, yet you took it because you want to improve your focus and discipline.

If by focus and discipline you mean getting out of bed, sitting down with your coffee, and powering up your favorite writing device, then you won't get that from this class. So I suspect that is not the focus and discipline you desire (if it is, then you have money to burn and I there's this house I've been looking at...).

If by focus and discipline you mean in actually writing your story, within the story, then maybe this class will help. Maybe, because you slam McKee so quickly. Not sure that's a positive statement. I have a McKee book, read it once. I have lots of books that I've read, once, and I'm not defending or detracting from McKee because he has some good things too say. I just tossed my Trottier book (oldy). Now-a-days I read scripts and study them for how they work, or not. Or watch a movie. Just watched Ping Pong (subtitled) and it was good. Very character driven and it was interesting how that was executed. You never know what avenue your writing epiphany will come.

A structured class may help you get focus and discipline on character or story, if that class addresses those issues. Character is conveyed in character action. Wrting good character's in a good story is what all those books hope to convey, as part of that screenwriting micro-industry. So if your class has you write examples and y'all get to analyze what works or not, then you could learn something.

I sense that there is some pride going on in that you don't think you need lessons on format. You're the best judge of that as well. To have that going on says maybe you're wasting your time and money here. This is not about the teacher, it's about you.

So, if you elected to take this class for learning's sake, then eat what meat you can and pick out the bones. It's her class...kind of like being in a judge's courtroom, and you really don't want to end up on the wrong side of the gavel.

Quoted from cloroxmartini You have two issues going. One, do you know more than your teacher about format? Two, is this class too fundamental for you? Do you know more about format? Maybe. That becomes a matter of style within established boundaries, which have been beat, shot, drawn and quartered, and stabbed to death (the last two are probably redundent). I'd would have started with INT. BEDROOM - (TIME OF DAY), or maybe if I had the windows blacked out, I would have left time-of-day out, and a mystery, depending on why I started in the bedroom. Is this class too fundamental? You said you're among noobs. You're the best judge of whether this class is too fundamental, yet you took it because you want to improve your focus and discipline. If by focus and discipline you mean getting out of bed, sitting down with your coffee, and powering up your favorite writing device, then you won't get that from this class. So I suspect that is not the focus and discipline you desire (if it is, then you have money to burn and I there's this house I've been looking at...). If by focus and discipline you mean in actually writing your story, within the story, then maybe this class will help. Maybe, because you slam McKee so quickly. Not sure that's a positive statement. I have a McKee book, read it once. I have lots of books that I've read, once, and I'm not defending or detracting from McKee because he has some good things too say. I just tossed my Trottier book (oldy). Now-a-days I read scripts and study them for how they work, or not. Or watch a movie. Just watched Ping Pong (subtitled) and it was good. Very character driven and it was interesting how that was executed. You never know what avenue your writing epiphany will come. A structured class may help you get focus and discipline on character or story, if that class addresses those issues. Character is conveyed in character action. Wrting good character's in a good story is what all those books hope to convey, as part of that screenwriting micro-industry. So if your class has you write examples and y'all get to analyze what works or not, then you could learn something. I sense that there is some pride going on in that you don't think you need lessons on format. You're the best judge of that as well. To have that going on says maybe you're wasting your time and money here. This is not about the teacher, it's about you. So, if you elected to take this class for learning's sake, then eat what meat you can and pick out the bones. It's her class...kind of like being in a judge's courtroom, and you really don't want to end up on the wrong side of the gavel.

Cloroxmartini,

I can honestly say that your post here is so beautifully well thought out and is a gift for the reader.

I always believe that it's the thought that counts. Well, here is a perfect example.

Thanks for taking your time here. I think you have just/ will help a lot of young people and old people and in between people too. To clarify a few things in their own minds.

Sandra

Thanks. I found type-o's, though! I hate type-o's!

Quoted from cloroxmartini Thanks. I found type-o's, though! I hate type-o's!

Me to too.   But then again, there are no mistakes; just opportunities.

Sandra

Quoted from Sandra Elstree. Me to too.   But then again, there are no mistakes; just opportunities. Sandra

Now there's optimism. Time for a Vulcan Mind Meld.