Ways into screenwriting

About this course

The course introduces screenwriting craft and terminology through discussion, presentations, film and television extracts, and writing exercises completed in and outside class. Participants explore idea generation, research, theme, genre, character development, dialogue, subtext, pacing and plot structure. They also examine how to edit their own and others’ work, write treatments and format scripts in a standard industry style. The course includes feedback and evaluation of writing, with work developed towards a short screenplay and an outline for a full-length project.

What you'll learn

• Apply basic screenwriting principles and terminology
• Develop and sustain believable characters within a story
• Construct plots using structure, pacing, set-ups and pay-offs
• Write dialogue that uses subtext
• Format a screenplay in a standard industry format
• Produce a treatment and a short film script

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for improvers developing beyond introductory screenwriting concepts. Participation includes group discussion, presentations, writing exercises and feedback on work from the tutor and fellow students, both in and outside class.

• Includes writing and preparation outside class
• Suitable for learners willing to share and evaluate writing in a group setting

Before you go

• Bring a pen and paper.
• Learners are encouraged to alert the tutor and classmates in advance if shared writing contains potentially sensitive material, using content notes where appropriate.