FAQs

• Story
• Structure
• Character
• Themes
• Genre
• Dialogues
• Format
• Audience
• Market

There should be creative writing exercises based on the course components and some project to develop a script idea to first draft stage.

In addition, a distinction might be drawn between courses that teach people first how to make plays or films which include a scriptwriting component and courses which are stand-alone scriptwriting courses.  Both have their place, but their focus and outcomes may be expected to differ substantially.

Finally, a good writing course will not be formulaic, but will strike a balance between stimulating and supporting students’ creativity, and communicating realistically the expectations and practices of the industry.

There should be an element of critique, looking at contemporary and classic works.  Students should learn to professionally critique their own work and that of others on the course.  This element should not attempt to replicate the analytic approach of academic courses, but remain firmly focused on existing film-making and theatre techniques that could help the students with their own projects.

Screenwriters should always be seeking to upskill themselves as professionals, some key areas to focus on:

• Business of writing
• Taxes and legal issues
• Intellectual property
• Guilds and Industry organisations
• Pitching and networking