- Online
- $695
Do you have a movie idea but are unsure how to turn it into a screenplay? Or maybe you've always dreamed of writing a screenplay but have no idea where to start. Have you ever wondered how professional screenwriters create characters that stay with us long after the credits roll? From Simba’s courage and growth to the unforgettable romance of Jack and Rose Dawson. And what about those stories and lines of dialogue that pop into your head years later, causing you to smile or reenact them before a mirror or a group of friends each time? Indeed, great characters and screenplays have a way of staying with us and becoming part of our lives. If you've ever wanted to learn how these stories, characters and scenes are created, this course is for you.
In this fun, hands-on introduction to the art and craft of feature screenwriting, learn the fundamentals and discover how to transform your spark of inspiration into a story ready for the big screen. Along the way, develop memorable characters, build engaging storylines and dialogue, and write scenes that keep audiences hooked from the opening image to the final fade-out.
This course is for anyone with an interest in screenwriting or who has a story to tell, including filmmakers, content creators and aspiring writers. No previous screenwriting experience is required. Gain practical skills, creative techniques and confidence in a supportive environment designed to help you begin developing your own feature-length screenplay. The course is designed to support writers at every level: from beginners in need of the basics to professionals looking to review and grow.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Transform your story idea into screenplay pages
- Apply fundamental screenplay structure to a feature-length narrative
- Develop believable characters with distinct goals, motivations and character arcs
- Use dialogue, subtext and visual storytelling techniques to create engaging screenplays that feel authentic and compelling
- Write scenes that effectively advance the plot while revealing character
- Draft pages of your feature film screenplay using standard screenplay format
- Write clear and compelling loglines that communicate the core concept of your story
This is a hands-on, creative course designed to get you writing. Through a mix of instructor-led discussions, film and screenplay analysis, scriptwriting exercises, and creative workshops, you'll develop your own feature film concept from initial idea to outline and screenplay pages.
Course outline
Week 1: Foundations of Feature Storytelling
Week 2: Character Development
Week 3: Story Structure and Plot Development
Week 4: Outlining, Creating Effective Scenes and Dialogue
Week 5: Preparing and Writing the First Draft
Week 6: Loglines, Table Reads of Selected Scenes and Next Steps
How am I assessed?
This course is marked complete/incomplete, and the assessment is based on your attendance and participation. Your instructor provides you personalized feedback on the assignments you submit.
Record of completion
Students who have successfully completed a course can access completion documents two weeks after the course ends. Course completion means 80% attendance and/or 80% completion of mandatory assignments.
Expected effort
Expect to spend three to four hours per week developing your idea, building your screenplay and participating in online forum discussions.
Technology requirements
To take this course, and for the best experience, we recommend you have access to:
- an email account
- a computer, laptop or tablet under five years old and using Windows or macO
- the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
- a reliable internet connection
- a video camera and microphone for virtual real-time online class discussions
- a screen writing software
One day before the start of your course, we’ll email you step-by-step instructions for accessing your course.
Course format
This course is 100% online and instructor-supported with real-time classes. Log into your class at scheduled times and participate by video conferencing. Virtual office hours with the instructor are available by appointment.
A new module is released each week. Log in anytime to your course to access the lessons as they become available.
Online materials will be available for three weeks after the course ends. After this time, you’ll no longer be able to access the course and materials.
