1763-1815: American Revolution / Screenwriting Feature-Length
As part of Santa Fe College’s fall community education classes, Gary Gordon—author, musician, and former Gainesville City Commissioner—will teach “1763-1815: American Revolution” and “Screenwriting Feature-Length.”
1763-1815: American Revolution
Revolution, Declaration, Constitution, Union …
Many people think of the American Revolution as the Boston Tea Party, the battles at Lexington and Concord, the Declaration of Independence, Valley Forge, and the British surrender at Yorktown. They think of Washington and Jefferson and maybe John Adams and Benedict Arnold. But there’s more to it than that.
This course, starting years before the Boston Tea Party and covering material after adopting the Constitution and Washington’s presidency, focuses on what may be familiar, but emphasizes information usually left aside. It’s less about battles and more about people and decisions. We’ll start with who settled where in the Eastern seaboard and why that’s important and touch on the “French and Indian War” and other events leading up to the Declaration. You’ll learn about the arguments in the formation of the colonial, then state and national governments, including fierce post-war disagreements over the reasons for the war, the nature of self-government, and who has what power.
Lectures will include some discussion of The Federalist Papers — a strong or weak central government; the Whiskey Rebellion, the Alien and Sedition Acts, the lead-up to the War of 1812, and its immediate aftermath, after which the United States began to be recognized as a nation among nations. And regardless of the ongoing national discussion of the American Experiment, this isn’t a course on current events—unless the class decides it wants to include that during the last class — but only if points are made with civility and are related to the class material.
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No. of Weeks: 5 Days: Tuesdays
Starts: Sept. 12 Time: 6-8pm
Course Fee: $64, no lab fee
Location: The Village @ Gainesville Flex Room, 8000 NW 27th Blvd, Gainesville
Bring note-taking materials if you wish.
Screenwriting Feature-Length
In this class you’ll learn the basics of writing a feature-length screenplay. You’ll learn to think about your protagonist and antagonist, screenplay format; you’ll learn screenplay structure and how to avoid some of the classic mistakes made by beginning screenplay writers. You may achieve writing your first 10-15 pages or the first act. Screenwriting concepts will be illustrated with portions of movies. You’ll read scripts. Writing and participation will be encouraged. Discussions and evaluation of submitted material is part of the class.
ENG0053.1F6
No. of Weeks: 5 Days: Mondays
Starts: Sept. 11 Time: 6:30-8:45pm
Course Fee: $69, no lab fee
Location: SF-NW Campus B-005, 3000 NW 83rd St, Gainesville
Bring a laptop or tablet, a paragraph to a page about your favorite movie: what it is and why, and any screenplay writing you’ve done or have started.
To register, go to SFCollege.edu and look for Community Education, then the class you want, or call 352-395-5193. Registration is open.