Screenwriting for Film Bootcamp

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

Accelerate your growth as a Screenwriter

Gain foundational writing and analysis skills as you develop your story ideas and work towards the first draft of your screenplay. In this online Screenwriting for Film Bootcamp, you will spend 10 weeks learning hands-on, professional methods for building story, characters, and structure, breaking down scenes, writing short form and long form narrative, and exploring the traditional three-act structure.

Through interactive lectures and tutorials taught by Australia’s premier screenwriters, you will gain industry insights and individual feedback as you complete written exercises.

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

Apply principles of screenwriting and cinematic narrative.

Analyse what makes engaging characters and a variety of structures to drive compelling narrative.

Write key documents essential to the screenwriting process and pitching.

“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

“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

Is Screenwriting for Film Bootcamp right for you?

Screenwriting for Film Bootcamp is a comprehensive course covering the craft of screenwriting, with the opportunity to submit written exercises and receive individual feedback from your industry expert tutor.

It is expected that students entering this course can recognise the principles of screenwriting and cinematic narrative; define the key concepts of theme, premise, storyworld and characterisation; and identify how to structure and format your screenwriting as covered in our Intro to Screenwriting course.

This screenwriting bootcamp is ideal for writers, directors, actors, media professionals and other early-mid career industry practitioners looking to build foundational writing and analysis skills and industry-standard practices. It is also ideal for writers of other mediums, such as playwrights, wanting to transition to screenwriting and start the first draft of their script.

Please note that 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.

Course Requirements and Delivery

Screenwriting for Film Bootcamp is an online course that consists of 2 x Zoom sessions per week across 10 weeks and 3 hours of self-directed learning per week. You will need access to a desktop or laptop computer with a camera, sound and a reliable internet connection for the evening Zoom sessions.

You should begin this course with an idea for an original screenplay. This course is not appropriate for an adaptation of an existing literary work.

Course Fee: $1400 (pricing subject to change, please check enrolment form).

Early bird and other discounts available – learn more.

Meet Your Tutor

AFTRS short courses are taught by leading industry professionals.

Jonathan Ogilvie

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

Learn More

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

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.