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Screenwriting for Film

Behind the scenes of 'The Greenhouse' | Directed by Thomas Wilson-White | Photo: Nick Prokop

Become a screenwriter

Streamline your screenwriting process with this immensely popular ten-week 100% online course that focuses on concept, structure, story and character. By the end of the course, you will have developed your story idea using the traditional three-act structure and be ready to write your script.

Groundwork

Learn about the extensive groundwork you need to do before you start writing, and how to apply those skills to your own screenplay idea

Story skills

Develop your skills to focus on concept, structure, story, character and the interplay between them

Analyse

Learn how to watch films with a screenwriter’s eye, so you can analyse why they work, or don’t

Is Screenwriting for Film: Online right for you?

This course is designed for beginners. You do not need any prior experience, just a passion for writing and great stories to tell.

Please note the intention of the course is to provide you with the ability and skills to work towards the first draft of your screenplay. You will not have a completed screenplay by the end of the course.

RELATED COURSE

If you do not yet have some screenwriting understanding or experience to start with you may like to consider Intro to Screenwriting.

Other  supplementary or alternative courses of interest may be  Writing A Short Film Intensive, Writing A TV Series or Intro to Producing & Screen Business.

 

What you will learn
  • The importance of story and character development
  • How to structure your story
  • The tools and language used by a screenwriter

“Excellent course. I don't think the tutor could have done a better job. They ensured that the online platform for course delivery worked very effectively. Personally, I preferred online to tutorials in person. Much more democratic.” – Previous participant

“I did a few screenwriting courses overseas, but nothing compares to this one, which was so focused on the structure of the script. Everything was really helpful. I'll keep it forever for the development of my future scripts! Thank you so much!” – Previous participant

“An exceptionally valuable course. Each week I received detailed, skilled feedback on assignments submitted. In addition, each chat session was well structured and facilitated practical learning outcomes. The course provides outstanding value for money.” – Previous participant

Meet Your Tutors

Jonathan Ogilvie

A graduate of AFTRS, Jonathan has made numerous shorts films that have screened at major film festivals and have sold…

Learn More

What you will need

You will need access to a desktop or laptop computer with a camera, sound and a reliable internet connection for the evening Zoom video sessions.

You will need to allow time for the workload if you wish to get the most out of the course, ideally dedicating at least 10 hours per week to:

  • Two x 90-minute Zoom chat sessions. All chat sessions are recorded and available once the session has finished.
  • Reading screenplays
  • Watching films
  • Self-directed learning
  • Written Exercises for lecturer feedback

You should begin this course with the germ of an idea for a genre-based screenplay. This course is not appropriate for an adaptation of an existing literary work.

 

Register your interest to stay up-to-date on future offerings, application or enrolment dates, and more information on this course.

Register Interest

Sign up for updates on the Screenwriting for Film, including information sessions and future offerings.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This course is for students aged 18+ only.

If a student wishes to withdraw from a course, they may do so up to 15 days before the course commences and get a full refund. Cancellations 14 days or less before course commencement will incur a penalty.

AFTRS reserves the right to cancel any course for any reason at any time. In the event of a course being cancelled by AFTRS prior to commencement a 100% refund or credit note of the course fees paid will be provided.

Should AFTRS need to cancel a course after commencement, but before its completion, reasonable efforts will be made to reschedule. If rescheduling is not feasible, it is at AFTRS’ sole discretion to issue either full or partial credit notes depending on the circumstances.

AFTRS will make every effort to ensure the scheduled run of any course.

If you are planning to travel to attend a course, please confirm with AFTRS that the course is confirmed before you make your travel bookings. This decision is dependent on course enrolments meeting minimum numbers. AFTRS is not liable for any travel or accommodation costs incurred through course cancellation at any time for any reason.

Find out more information about discounts and refunds here.