Writing for Film Courses

About this course

The course examines how film stories are shaped, using structural analysis and clips from existing films to explore cinematic storytelling. Participants develop characters, dialogue and subtext, work on existing story ideas through script doctoring, and learn screenplay formatting. Teaching combines practical writing exercises with discussion and constructive feedback from the teacher and fellow writers. The course also considers supporting materials and routes from developing a treatment to pitching a screenplay.

What you'll learn

• Analyse how narrative structure operates in existing films
• Develop screen characters, dialogue and subtext
• Shape story ideas into a screenplay
• Apply screenplay formatting conventions
• Evaluate and improve existing story ideas through script doctoring
• Prepare supporting materials for a screenplay and consider approaches to pitching

Is this course right for you?

The course is aimed at improver-level learners and is not presented as an introduction for people entirely new to writing, who are directed towards a separate beginners’ course. Participation includes sharing ideas and discussing writing with a group, alongside receiving teacher feedback. Fluency in English is essential.

• Intended for learners beyond the introductory stage of writing
• Includes group discussion and sharing of ideas
• Requires fluency in English