The Thirteen Modules
1. Introduction
- How to get started
- Materials needed
- Finding space to write
- Your business name
- Tackling writer’s block
- How to identify markets
2. Inspiration
- Where stories come from
- Using personal experience or family history
- Ideas from news stories
- Fables, legends etc
- Spotting trends in film and television
3. Films
- How films go from page to screen
- How the industry works
- Role of agents
- Getting your script read
- Film formats
4. Television
- Different formats used
- Serial dramas
- Sit-coms
- One-off dramas
- How scripts get made
5. Genre
- Identifying the genres
- Romance
- Westerns
- Science Fiction
- Action/Adventure
- Detective/thriller
- Epic/historical event
- Strengths and weaknesses of each and implications for screenplay
6. Setting the scene
- Choosing an environment?
- How to make it work
- What to look out for
- What to avoid
7. Types of screenplay
- Plot-based
- Character based
- Event based
- Idea based
- Place story
- Examples of each and analysis of strengths and weaknesses
8. Plotting
- The three act dramatic structure
- How it works
- Function of each act
- Plot points, climax and resolution
- How to maintain the action
- Role of subplots
- Common mistakes made when plotting
9. Characters
- Common types of character
- Hero
- Heroine
- Baddie
- Comedy sidekick
- Supporting characters
- Character development
- Character interaction
10. Dialogue
- Why dialogue is important
- Dialogue’s role in action
- Making every word count
- Ensuring dialogue is believable
11. Formatting
- The technicalities of script writing
- How scripts are formatted
- How text should be laid out on page
- How various instructions are given
- Software options available
- Differences in formatting options i.e. US and UK
12. Rewriting and loose ends
- How to be objective
- Identifying common weaknesses
- Spotting errors
- Preparing synopsis
- Writing a logline
13. Marketing
- Getting your script noticed
- Targeting chosen market
- Role of script readers
- Role of agents
- Direct approaches
We supply all the modules at the beginning of the course. That means you can study topics whenever you choose. You don't have to wait weeks to get to a section that you need. Though we recommend you take the modules in the order shown, you can tackle them in any order you choose. To help you get the most from the course, we aim to be completely flexible.
Read more: What you'll find in the pack
