Writing Scripts 101 is a six-week course combining informational lectures with structured writing exercises. Intended for those new to scriptwriting or seeking to refresh their foundational skills. A complete course syllabus is provided for detailed review below.
Do you envision your creative work coming to life on screen or stage? Whether imagining a riveting film, an unforgettable television series, or a powerful theatrical production, screenwriting offers the unique opportunity to see your vision transformed through the combined artistry of directors, designers, actors, and production teams. Your script becomes the blueprint for collaborative creation.
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to writing for cinema, television, and theatre, while emphasizing techniques that form the foundation of all scriptwriting forms. Think of it as a comprehensive survey, without requiring commitment to a specific format or immediate specialization.
If you're ready to explore the dynamic world of script development, your journey begins here.
Important Notes:
- This comprehensive course encompasses screenwriting, television writing, and playwriting fundamentals
- The 101-level courses do not include full peer workshop components, though students receive detailed feedback on writing exercises and assignments
This course introduces the primary scriptwriting forms and their associated techniques. Program components:
- Focused, substantive lectures
- Hands-on writing exercises and assignments
Online Course Format
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Week 1: Fundamental Principles of Drama. Character desire and dramatic conflict; essential dramatic architecture; character development, including personality, actions, and transformation
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Week 2: Scene Development. Scene objectives and obstacles; scene construction, including effective beginnings, middles, and endings; writing compression and economy; managing stage directions and technical elements; dialogue principles, including authenticity, character expression, and subtext
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Week 3: Theatrical Writing. Defining theatrical form and conventions; elements creating theatrical impact through live performance, theatrical spectacle, and scene-driven construction; structural considerations for theatre; analysis of exemplary theatrical scenes
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Week 4: Screenwriting Fundamentals. Understanding cinematic storytelling, distinguishing between commercial and independent approaches; employing visual narrative techniques, scene-based construction, structural approaches to feature films; character and plot development; analysis of compelling film scenes
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Week 5: Television Writing Principles. Understanding serial storytelling across multiple episodes, distinguishing between episodic and serialized narrative approaches; exploring television formats and genres, structuring television episodes; character development and plot progression; analysis of successful television scenes
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Week 6: Creative Development and Production. Generating story ideas; developing ideas through research and creative influence; the practical process of writing and revision; finding production and performance opportunities
Important Note: Course content may vary across different sections and terms.
About This Online Program
- Online classes connect writers from around the world with Gotham instructors, New York City's most prominent writing school
- Classes are conducted asynchronously, enabling participation anytime, with courses advancing weekly and specific weekly expectations
- Online classes are accessible from anywhere globally with internet access; while most students are U.S.-based, we enroll participants from nearly every country
- Technical support is provided throughout
- Beyond scheduling flexibility and geographic accessibility, students retain complete course materials for downloading and archival purposes (content is text and image-based, not video)
