Discover the Best Screenwriting Classes in NYC
Screenwriting is simply the act of writing a screenplay. More specifically, screenplays are the scripts that are used in various forms of media such as movies, television shows, and even video games. These scripts are all-encompassing as they include elements such as the dialogue between characters, particular acting instructions, and the direction of movement. Screenwriting can be a gainful career choice, a creative outlet, or a practice in different styles of writing.
Why You Should Learn Screenwriting in NYC
There are many benefits to learning screenwriting. The most obvious reason is the chance to break into the entertainment industry as a successful screenwriter. Screenwriting in New York City can certainly turn into a profitable career as many television shows and movies are filmed all throughout the city. Additionally, the NYC film and television industry brings in billions of dollars and employs hundreds of thousands of individuals on a yearly basis, so there is a huge market for screenwriters and other industry-related fields. It is no surprise that writers flock to New York as it has the second highest level of employment for writers. With the right education, skills, and tools, it is possible to write a powerful screenplay.
Other than the chance at fame and fortune, there are plenty of personal reasons to learn screenwriting. For example, many people think that writing is a daunting or difficult task. However, you don’t have to be a perfect writer in order to enjoy doing it. Writing in all forms can be incredibly cathartic. If you have something on your mind or a story that you feel would translate well on the big screen, screenwriting may be a great hobby to pick up. Who knows – with time, dedication, and plenty of revision, you could even enter and win a screenwriting contest.
In-Person Screenwriting Classes & Schools in NYC
There are many opportunities to learn how to write a screenplay through an in-person screenwriting class in NYC. Learning this way is fast and easy since you will have an experienced screenwriting instructor at your disposal to answer questions, provide feedback, or help with formatting errors. Plus, there will be other individuals in the classroom who share the same passion, so you will have new friends and a fresh set of eyes to look at your writing.
Taking an in-person class also removes the stress that finding materials and ample workspace often brings. If you live in a cramped apartment or in a noisy area, your instructor and classroom will usually provide a calm, welcoming area in which to work on your screenplay. This is one less thing for you to worry about, which lets you focus more on your work.
The New York International Screenplay Awards located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan offers many courses that help write an effective, engaging, and elaborate screenplay. For example, How to Write an Award-Winning Screenplay discusses what it takes to create an award-winning screenplay. The instructor is an experienced screenwriter and film festival director who knows that a screenplay not only has to be well-written but also marketable. In this course, you will learn how to write, discuss film competition criteria, and let your creativity blossom.
Every good story starts with a basic foundation and an understandable plot. There is a Building A Strong Structure course also offered by the New York International Screenplay Awards that helps with this part of the screenwriting process. This two-hour course mainly focuses on the structure of the screenplay, including the steps, practices, and techniques needed to create a logical and well-thought-out story. By the end of this workshop, your story will feel more developed and coherent.
Once you have mastered the basics of your screenplay form and structure, you can create complex and relatable characters in their Character Creation course. Your instructor will help you create characters who are consistently developing throughout the story. You will learn how to write characters who engage well with one another and who keep the plot moving forward. Not only this, your characters will feel more relatable to the audience as well, which helps viewers engage more with the plot. You will also learn how to effectively incorporate dialogue that has flair and adds personality, which can either spur camaraderie or conflict between the characters.
Now that your screenplay has strong, well-developed characters, it is time to include enticing dialogue. In the Efficient Moving Dialogue Writing workshop, you will learn some of the best techniques for adding powerful dialogue. It is important to know the main point of your story, but dialogue needs consistency, subtext, and characterization. This workshop emphasizes the importance of adding all three into your characters' conversations. You will receive feedback on your current screenplay and learn how to incorporate dialogue in a more natural way throughout this course.
Have you been told that you have a good sense of humor? Maybe it’s time to put your good humor to use in your screenplay. Consider enrolling in the Writing Your Comedy Pilot course to strengthen your comedy skills. The Brooklyn Comedy Collective in Williamsburg brings humor to the forefront in this seven-week class. You will learn the basics of writing a standard, three-act comedy pilot that includes scene transitions, act breaks, plot lines, and more. The course workload is challenging but rewarding, as you will read, write, revise, and analyze many different works throughout the duration of the course. The class is conducted like a workshop, so you will have the chance to share your past, current, and future ideas with other individuals.
If you are seeking a more in-depth experience, the Intensive Creative Writing Weekend by the Alaa Al Aswany Creative Writing Workshop is the course to check out. Located in Greenwood, Brooklyn, you can expect a workshop designed for those who want to learn the art of storytelling. In this course, you will learn the importance of delivering lines with a certain tempo, tone, rhythm, and brevity. Not only this, you will learn how to develop characters with spirited personalities, provide descriptive settings, and include subtext. With the help of the instructor and the in-class writing exercises, you will leave feeling more confident in your abilities.
As the screenwriter, you won’t always have the opportunity to act as well. However, understanding the basics of acting may help you create a more coherent and concise script for your performers. Consider the Barrow Group Acting School’s Beginners Acting I: The Basics class. This course will help you gain more positional and emotional awareness within your movements, which you can then translate when writing your script. Located in Hell’s Kitchen, you can expect to find this lively course designed to make performing a more organic and voluntary experience. You will learn how to analyze scripts and study specific scenes, which can later help strengthen your future screenplays.
Virtual Screenwriting Classes & Schools
There are many people who can’t access in-person screenwriting classes. It all depends on your location and your schedule. If you can’t find an in-person class that works for you, don’t let it deter you from learning how to write your screenplay. You can search for online screenwriting classes and choose from classes taught all across the country. Enrolling in an online course will help you save time and money on a commute as well. This leaves more time for you to work on your script.
Many online classes ask that you provide your own materials, but your instructor will send a detailed supply list. These items can be purchased from a local store or online seller, but may also be found already around your house. Ensure that you come to class prepared so you can get started writing.
Writing Pad offers a Screenwriting I: Intro to Screenwriting course for those who dream of writing an amazing script. This five-week course is taught by an experienced screenwriter who has written for many major television networks such as Disney and Fox. Because the instructor has insight into the entertainment business, you can expect to gain awareness of how you can enter into this career path. You will come prepared with a screenplay idea and then work on structure, format, and scene creation. By the end of the class, you will feel more confident in your writing abilities and have a more fully developed screenplay.
Similarly, the Barrow Group Acting School has a Screenwriting II: Writing a Feature course for those who have already taken a beginner-level screenwriting course and have a screenplay draft. This workshop will guide students through the script-writing process by analyzing feature film scripts, studying screenplay structure, and learning how to create strong characters. Your instructor will assign relevant reading and writing assignments on a weekly basis to supplement the lecture material. In addition, you will receive expert feedback from your instructor on your writing and learn ways to develop a clear, functional outline for your story.
If you already have a script in progress but don’t know how to finish it, consider enrolling in Screenwriting III: A Master Screenwriting Workshop provided by Writing Pad. This course guides you through the screenwriting process with the help of an expert instructor. This instructor crafts personalized lectures and writing assignments that will help you wrap up your screenplay in a way that feels organic and satisfying. In these lectures and assignments, you will learn advanced techniques that many professional screenwriters use to create a compelling screenplay with evolving characters and an enthralling storyline. The instructor will also provide solutions to your specific screenplay challenges so you will know how to avoid issues in the future.
Private Group Screenwriting Classes in NYC
Are you interested in scheduling a screenwriting class or related course as a fun team-building event for your business or organization? Perhaps your club wants to learn the art of screenwriting together as a group. CourseHorse has screenwriting classes for private groups in NYC that will bring screenwriting directly to your group. Private classes are a great way to connect with others in the group and offer a fun way to learn a new skill together.
Learn more about movies in an interactive way with the Virtual Trivia: Movies event. Your group will test their knowledge of cinema and Hollywood with the help of an event facilitator. In this trivia session, you can expect to go through four rounds of different styles of trivia – even including a surprise round. You will engage in healthy competition throughout the hour-long trivia event as well. Half of the event will be spent broken up into teams, whereas the other half will be spent answering trivia as an entire group. This is a great way to show off your smarts, learn more about film, and have fun with your group.
Perhaps your group wants to challenge themselves in an even more interactive way. For one hour, put down the screenplay and immerse yourself in the world of humor, theatre, and spontaneity with the Virtual Team-Building Improv Workshop. In this event, your group will learn improved techniques designed to make your group work together, make quick decisions, and have a good time with one another. This no-pressure course shakes things up within your group and allows you to let loose a bit. This workshop is a fun time but also helps with collaboration, problem-solving, and improved communication. These skills are incredibly desirable and transferable.
CourseHorse takes the hassle out of signing up for class since they ship all the essential supplies directly to each course participant. You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of your reservation. Plus, there are zero booking fees when you book an event through CourseHorse.
The minimum group size depends on the event, but there is no need to worry. If your group has met the minimum number of participants required, you can adjust the number of group members up until a week before the event. This makes signing up a lot less stressful.
Additionally, you can customize your event for an additional $150 fee. These customizations include personalized questions, an extra game, or a second event. If you have questions, please reach out to CourseHorse through the contact form on their website to hear more about the available options.
CourseHorse recommends using the Zoom platform for your class, but they can accommodate other platforms such as Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx. There are many courses that offer to come to your office, party, or home as well if that is preferable.
