SCREENWRITING
Turn Your Idea Into a Story for the Screen
Every movie, television show, and short film begins with an idea—and then someone has to figure out how to turn that idea into a story.
In Screenwriting, students learn the fundamentals of writing specifically for film and television while developing an original story of their own. The course introduces students to the same basic storytelling principles used by professional writers, but in an approachable, creative environment designed to encourage experimentation and individual voice.
Students begin by exploring what makes a great story work. We look at how writers create interesting characters, establish goals and obstacles, build conflict, raise the stakes, and structure a story so that an audience wants to know what happens next.
From there, students learn how screenwriting differs from other forms of writing. Because film is a visual medium, screenwriters must learn to show rather than simply tell. Students practice writing scenes, creating natural dialogue, introducing characters, describing action, and communicating visually through the written word.
Students also learn the basics of screenplay structure and professional screenplay formatting, including scene headings, action, dialogue, character names, and transitions.
Most importantly, students put these skills into practice by developing their own ideas. Depending on the student’s age, experience, and goals, projects may include individual scenes, short films, television concepts, or an original short screenplay.
Students May Explore:
| • Creating original story ideas | • Character development |
| • Story structure | • Conflict, obstacles, and stakes |
| • Writing compelling scenes | • Writing believable dialogue |
| • Visual storytelling | • “Show, don’t tell” |
| • Screenplay formatting | • Revising and strengthening a script |
| • Developing an individual writing voice |
Screenwriting is designed for students who love movies, television, storytelling, or simply have an imagination full of ideas they would like to bring to life.
Every great film starts with a blank page. Let’s put a story on it.