Best Online Screenwriting Courses

Posted by: JodyM, June 4th, 2021, 4:11am

I want to take an online screen writing course, but there are so many of them out there, that I'm not sure which ones to choose! I want a course that is affordable and very beginner-friendly. and I also obviously don't want to get scammed. There is a local university near my home that offers script writing, that I'm thinking about taking classes from, but since I really want to learn TV and movie writing, which I'm not sure this school will really specialize in, I'm wondering if I'm better off taking an online course elsewhere. The school is only offering online classes anyway this summer, so I figure I might as well save my money and try for an online course that might be more helpful for me. Does anybody have any recommendations for the best site to learn screenwriting from?

Posted by: Warren, June 4th, 2021, 4:59am; Reply: 1

Buy a copy of The Screenwriter's Bible and hang out at Simply Scripts for awhile and you'll be fine. I wouldn't waste money on a course, it's a very easy skill to learn... the hard part is coming up with a good story.

Posted by: Pleb, June 4th, 2021, 5:07am; Reply: 2

This one might be good as a starter course, plus it's free.

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/screenwriting

It occasionally gets pushed on the bbc writer's room so I'm assuming it's not too bad.

And might give you an idea if online stuff is even right for you.

Good luck.

Posted by: Yuvraj, June 4th, 2021, 5:48am; Reply: 3

There is no better way to learn writing than to, you know - start writing.

Read a few scripts, get to know the formatting fundamentals and just start writing. No matter how absurd you think your story is and how poorly you have written it (frankly it is quite opposite of what people think of their very first script i.e. it is their best work). Show it around to other writers (like on this site) and take the feedback to improve more on it. Besides, YT offers hundreds of channels that provide videos on screenwriting at no cost at all. No need for courses. All you need is, a true love for stories and patience. And regarding patience - you need an abundance of it. Trust me.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

Posted by: LC, June 4th, 2021, 6:44am; Reply: 4

Jody, if you really want an online class these masterclasses are meant to be good, I think?
There's a sample there too.

https://www.masterclass.com/classes/aaron-sorkin-teaches-screenwriting

A book I recommend always:
How Not to Write a Screenplay: 101 Common Mistakes Most Screenwriters Make
Book by Denny Martin Flinn

Then learn Industry Standard, and just write.

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