Screenwriting: First Steps

Do you have a good idea for a film script but don’t know where to begin? Our practical Screenwriting short course will guide you through the craft of scriptwriting – delivering top tips from an active industry professional to help you develop skills to produce industry-standard scripts and thrive within the TV and filmmaking industry.

Over the course of ten weeks, our Screenwriting course will give you the tools through every stage of the writing process, including:

• learning to write visually
• analysing and learning screenplay structure
• creating memorable characters
• film treatment - what is it?
• creating standout dialogue
• writing powerful scenes
• building strong but surprising narratives

Throughout the course, you will analyse film scripts and clips across a range of genres and be given practical exercises to test your knowledge. You will prepare an industry-standard pitch for a TV or film script idea and write and present a 5-6 page treatment and a sample script, for which you will receive treatment.

You will also have a visit from another industry professional in the final week of the course, who will also give feedback on your work-in-progress.

The main focus is on screenwriting for the UK market, but the US and European markets are also explored.

City St George’s Screenwriting evening course is taught by a prize winning screenwriter and film director with the experience to help you understand the filmmaking industry.

Who is it for?

City St George’s, University of London’s Screenwriting short course is perfect way to explore your passion for writing for the small or big screen. Whether you are pursuing a hobby or looking to kickstart a career in film, this course will give you a steady grounding to write scripts capably and confidently.

Timetable

This course takes place every Thursday at 18.30 for 10 weeks.

City St George’s Short Courses follow the academic year, delivering courses over three terms. These include:

• Autumn - October
• Spring - January
• Summer - April

Benefits

• Delivered by an industry professional
• Taught in small groups
• Awarded a City St George’s, University of London certificate

Alumni Successes

Maylen C submitted a treatment she wrote in class to the Miami Media Film Market which was subsequently selected to be pitched; a movie she Executive Produced, 'The Shadow of the Sun', became Venezuela's official selection for the 2024 Academy Awards for Best International Film category.

Jazz Lintott's short film, Going for Gold, was broadcast on London Live and has appeared at several film festivals. Jazz developed the idea on Maeve's course. You can read more about his journey online.

On completion of the course, you will have acquired the basic tools to write a TV or feature script. You will understand screenplay structure, character development, narrative and genre. You will have a good grasp of the essential industry aspects of TV and screenwriting.

Week 1 - What is a screenplay? Creating a visual world

• Exercises and analysis of scenes from produced scripts in different styles with clips from the relevant films

Week 2 - Film grammar and Elements

• Visual grammar and filmic elements with analysis of existing of treatments that have been produced in the UK/European and Hollywood models

Week 3 - Character (and conflict)

• Character work; protagonists and antagonists; how characters create the drama. What makes a great character.

Week 4 - The Essential 3 Act/ 8 Sequence structure

Week 5 -
The next two weeks are practical workshop weeks where students are tasked with writing a one-page outline for their screenplay idea. You will also be given writing exercises to generate material and feedback to further develop your ideas.

Week 6 - Focussing your Idea: continuing with the one-page outline exercise, students will further hone the direction of their film idea, alongside feedback from the tutor.

Week 7 -

Writing memorable key scenes and dialogue: functions of dialogue in film, using key TV and film clips to illustrate

Week 8 – Time frame

• Working with time in film writing; transitions, using TV and film clips to illustrate

Week 9 – Genre and film

Art film or action film; writing comedy from short films to Netflix series

Week 10 – Industry/industry professional guest

• Learning about the industry and a visit from an industry guest. You will also receive feedback on your submitted treatment and sample scenes with contributions from the industry guest

You are not required to take any official assessment, but you will be informally assessed in class. You will be awarded an official City St George’s, University of London certificate if you attend above 70 percent of the classes.

We do not ask for any formal qualifications to enrol on the Screenwriting short course but if would be beneficial to have some knowledge of filmmaking or an interest in film.

English requirements

You should be proficient in written and spoken English.