Writing Fictional Scenes and Sequences
A course by Julio RojasScreenwriter and Author
A course by Julio Rojas, Screenwriter and Author
Learn the theory and technique behind writing an effective fictional scene for your script
The magic of a story, regardless of how simple or complex it is, lies in the small narrative pieces that, when strung together, captivate the audience. After teaching the fundamental techniques in Script Writing for Movies and Television, award-winning (including a Goya) author and screenwriter Julio Rojas shows you how to break down stories into basic units that you can develop and experiment with individually.
In this course, learn everything you need to know to write different types of fictional scenes and sequences. Julio teaches you the basic theory and techniques to craft a story using three tools from his personal writing method. Create micro-worlds where you can position characters, control actions and events, and create conflicts to shape your story.
What will you learn in this online course?
20 lessons & 26 downloads
Narrative units
17 minutes, 39 seconds
What to tell and what not? Ellipsis
10 minutes, 56 seconds
Scene types
13 minutes, 53 seconds
Specific sequences
8 minutes, 4 seconds
The scene notebook
14 minutes, 8 seconds
Scene elements: the character
19 minutes, 35 seconds
What's included in this course?
Julio Rojas sets the stage for the course by telling you about his career, the projects he's worked on, and his creative influences, which range from science and biology to cinema. He also gives you a preview of what the final project will be.
Start small by learning what a narrative unit is and take a look behind the scenes to reveal the invisible structure that all scenes are built upon. Move on to bigger ideas and explore concepts like the purpose of the narrative ellipsis, scene types, and specific sequences. Then, take a look at the first tool from your teacher's method: the scene notebook.
Now it's time to discover the components that make up a narrative unit: characters, objects, and the physical universe. Julio gives you some tips on how to mix and match these core elements and explore all possible combinations using another one of his writing tools called the conflict matrix.
Continue working on your project and experiment with different variables that can change how viewers perceive your scenes, such as emotion, movement, resistance, progress, and time markers. Julio then shares how to make some unexpected connections with the third tool from his method: the dissociation matrix.
Learn how to properly format a script using a professional screenwriting tool and make a clear distinction between the scene-writing and sequence-writing process. To wrap up the course, revise and rework your script to ensure it's professionally written and full of original ideas.
What is this course's project?
Write five different scene types and a sequence in a professional screenplay format using the three tools from your teacher's personal writing method: the conflict matrix, the scene notebook, and the dissociation matrix.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Professional and emerging screenwriters, audiovisual producers, advertisers, and anyone with a passion for storytelling.
Requirements and materials
You need basic notions of audiovisual language and an idea for a fiction story that you haven't written yet.
As for materials, all you need is a computer with any screenwriting software such as Final Draft or Celtx or any word processor.
Reviews
- tuantu_vinamotorPLUS5 months ago
Julio Rojas is a master! This course is a game-changer for anyone struggling with scene structure. His concept of the 'scene as a combat unit' and 'the implant' is pure gold. Precise, clear, and incredibly inspiring—he shares his secrets without any reservations. A 5-star roadmap for screenwriters!"
- 6 months ago
Súper excelente. Es un gran profesional. Es una gran persona que comparte casi sin reservas todo lo que sabe. Es muy servicial y atento a las necesidades de las personas en general, porque brinda recursos adicionales que conoce de la plataforma de doméstica y también recursos externos. Me gustó su profundidad en los temas y su capacidad de enseñanza.
- 10 months ago
I like this course a lot because it broke down the process and gave tips on how to craft a scene with specific tools
- 10 months ago
This is my second course by Julio Rojas, and I think he’s a great instructor — precise, clear, and inspiring. I really enjoyed both of his classes. In this one, I found the initial introduction units especially insightful, and the final step-by-step scriptwriting section was particularly valuable.
- 10 months ago
Muito bom!
His most prominent work includes feature films like Sábado(Rainer Werner Fassbinder Award), La vida de los peces (2012 Goya winner), and La memoria del agua (selected for Venice Days at the 2016 Venice Film Festival). In addition to screenplays, Julio just published his first novel, a historical crime thriller titled El visitante extranjero (The Foreign Visitor), through Penguin Random House.
His Spotify podcast series CASO 32, listed by The New York Times as one of the best audio fictions of 2020, has been remade in various languages as well as categorized as the most-listened-to Spanish-language audio fiction in the world.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
The narrative
- Narrative units
- What to tell and what not? Ellipsis
- Scene types
- Specific sequences
- The scene notebook
- U3
Scene elements
- Scene elements: the character
- Scene elements: the implant
- Scene elements: physical universe
- The conflict on the scene
- U4
Designing the scenes
- Assembling the scene notebook 1
- Assembling the scene notebook 2
- Working the modulators of the scene
- Working harmonic dissociation
- U5
Writing
- Writing format rules
- Writing scenes
- Script writing
- Rewriting and final considerations 1
- Rewriting and final considerations 2
- FP
Final project
- Script: Writing scenes
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
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FAQs
You’ll learn to analyze and build scenes, sequences, and narrative structures for film, TV, and audio series, using professional tools, creative resources, and techniques involving conflict, ellipsis, and character development.
The course is intermediate level. Basic knowledge of storytelling or writing is recommended but no prior scriptwriting experience is required.
All you need is a computer or device to watch the lessons and a willingness to learn. No special software is needed, though having a word processor and a notebook for exercises is helpful.
The course teaches you how to tell the difference between a scene (the smallest unit of action and emotion) and a sequence (a structured set of scenes), and how to use each to enhance audiovisual storytelling.
An ellipsis is a technique that skips over actions or events to speed up the story. You’ll learn how to use it strategically to keep the pace and maintain viewer interest.
Yes, the course covers writing scripts in genres like science fiction and thriller, teaching you how to apply the structures, conflicts, and philosophical reflections typical of these styles.
You’ll learn how to create philosophical characters, write dialogue in the style of Mamet, and develop dramatic arcs and internal conflicts to deepen your stories.