Where Can I Find an Online Course on Screenwriting?
Learn about schools that offer online screenwriting courses. Get an overview of field requirements and courses that may help you become a successful writer. Schools offering Script and Screenwriting degrees can also be found in these popular choices.

School Overviews
Online screenwriting courses may help you sharpen your writing skills and learn the fundamentals of writing screenplays and film scripts. The goal of these courses is to teach you how to generate story ideas, develop editing skills and professionally market your script. To learn more about some online courses in screenwriting, read on.
Important Facts About Writers and Authors
Median Salary (2014) | $58,850 |
Entry-level Education | Bachelor's degree |
Job Outlook (2012-2022) | 3% |
Similar Occupations | Editors, technical writers, public relations specialists |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
University of California - Los Angeles Online Theater, Film and Television Course
The University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA) offers a 6-week online screenwriting summer course that outlines the fundamentals of screenwriting. The course is open to UCLA undergraduates, as well as the public. This particular course can also be counted toward UCLA's academic film minor.
By listening to online audio lectures, reading course materials and workshopping (presenting your work on moderated message boards to be discussed with other students), you can learn the essential elements of effective screenwriting. Such elements include plot structure, dialogue, character development, conflict and theme. You could also watch streaming films that coincide with class discussion topics and earn participation points by contributing to a discussion board forum.
University of Wisconsin - Madison
University of Wisconsin - Madison offers an online screenwriting course conducted primarily through e-mail. You can choose a basic option, which requires you to workshop 20 pages of an original screenplay or a comprehensive option, which allows you to complete an entire screenplay.
Through one-on-one e-mail correspondence with your instructor, you receive pointed feedback and advice on your drafts. You study screenplay elements such as story layout, subplots, suspense techniques and secondary-character development. You also explore marketing concepts that could help sell your scripts. This course can be completed at your convenience.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below: