Screenwriting Course: Write Scenes, Dialogue & Movie Scripts

Improve your work skills by learning the skills of screenwriting and movie script writing with our writing short courses online and in Sydney!

This online writing course will be delivered via Zoom with a small class group.

Screenwriting is a discipline that requires creativity and imagination - if you can imagine a scene, you can write it. In this scriptwriting course, you will learn techniques for creating memorable scenes, developing character-based and plot-based stories, writing dialogue, and creating marketable scripts. You will also learn about resources available to help your script idea make it to the big screen. By incorporating both practical exercises and writing techniques, this screenwriting course will equip you with all you need to create your own movie script.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this screenwriting course, you will have enhanced your career prospects by:

• Understand movie structures, genres and plot lines which will work for their idea
• Know how to develop strong characters that work for a visual medium
• Write and sequence scenes effectively
• Understanding of the process of a screenplay to theatre and how to make their script attractive to producers
• Build scriptwriting skills applicable to film, television and digital media production roles.
• Understand the importance of subtext and subplots
• Demonstrate an understanding of how to develop script ideas and polish screenplays

Course content

What will be covered in this screenwriting course?

Week 1: Script structure

Why is a script not a novel? Looking at the essential elements of screenwriting including conflict, timing, development and plotting

Week 2: Creating characters that actors will want to play

Building story, conflict and interest through developing engaging protagonists, antagonists and supporting characters

Week 3: Developing a scene breakdown

How to break a story into scenes

Week 4: Subplots and additional storylines

How to build interest in your screenplay by providing additional, connected stories

Week 5: Bring your script to life

Writing dialogue and description that will work visually

Week 6: How to create concept documents and pitching ideas

How to draft your concept and share your ideas

Week 7: Editing and rewriting

Making the script bulletproof

Week 8: A scriptwriter resource guide

Intended audience

Who is this screenwriting course for?

• Learners exploring pathways in screenwriting or media industries.
• For both new and advanced writers who are eager to develop their writing skills and delve into the world of screenwriting.

Course materials

What to bring to class

• A notebook with removable pages
• Something to write with

Additional information

Please note the following:

The tutor will provide course notes. For further development of your script, the tutor will recommend several books to study and movies to examine.

Films that will be referred to throughout the course and are recommended viewing before course commencement are:

• Pulp Fiction
• Star Wars: A New Hope
• Undead
• Thelma and Louise
• Citizen Kane
• Strictly Ballroom