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6 Sessions / 2 hours of work per session

Skill Level

Beginner

Not available for purchase in India

Open for Enrollment

The Art of Storytelling: Your First Screenplay Adventure

Would you like to enroll?

Enrollment for this course has closed. But you can enroll in a future offering (please select)

Enrollment has closed

Go at your own pace

6 Sessions / 2 hours of work per session

Skill Level

Beginner

Not available for purchase in India

Course Description

Understanding how to format a screenplay involves more than just arranging words on a page. Although there is software that helps with this, there's more to it. It involves the essential elements of storytelling, such as introducing characters and organizing the structure of your script. ‘Screenplay formatting’ refers to how we arrange the words and details on a page. In this course, you'll learn everything from the title page to the end of your first screenplay on how to tell a story effectively. This course is designed to guide you through the entire process, starting from the title page and ending with the words "FADE OUT," teaching you how to create your very first screenplay.

Testimonials

To have a highly experienced instructor guiding you through such a practical course was a pleasant surprise. I have taken numerous online courses, and this one stands out as the best. It covers everything you need to know, starting from the fundamental question of 'Where do I start writing my script?' It provides comprehensive information on available software options, along with their pros and cons. The course then dives into formatting your ideas in the appropriate manner. It progresses to cover dialogue, delving deeper into exploring characters and their uniqueness. The instructor speaks to you as a peer, offering valuable tips and recommendations based on evident professional experience, which is a delightful bonus. Even if you believe you have mastered screenwriting, this course serves as a great resource for reviewing and refreshing your knowledge. It helps you create a small checklist for revisiting your scripts with a more critical eye before submission. The course is concise, light-hearted, and yet in-depth, with enjoyable fast paced fun chapters. It not only makes it easy to follow but also enhances the overall experience. Highly recommended.’

- Adriana C., Germany

Reviews

schedule

This course is in adaptive mode and is open for enrollment. Learn more about adaptive courses here.

Session 1: Intro to Screenplay Formatting (June 23, 2025)

In this session we will will learn why using Hollywood screenplay formatting style matters.

8 lessons

1. 1-1 Why Format a Screenplay Correctly.mp4

2. 1-2 Professionalism.mp4

3. 1-3 Communication.mp4

4. 1-4 Ratio.mp4

5. 1-5 Freshness.mp4

6. 1-6 What format style to use.mp4

7. 1-7 Bad Format Styles.mp4

8. 1-8 Television Formatting.mp4

Session 2: Screenplay Software (June 30, 2025)

Screenwriting software is incredibly useful for writers like us. Pros and cons. Cost. Recommendations.

8 lessons

1. 2-1 What is screenplay software for Pros and cons.mp4

2. 2-2 Most commonly used pro software.mp4

3. 2-3 Software to avoid.mp4

4. 2-4 Most commonly used free software.mp4

5. 2-5 Mobile screenwriting apps.mp4

6. 2-6 Organizational Software.mp4

7. 2-7 Best Collaboration Software.mp4

8. 2-8 Screenwriting Software.mp4

Session 3: Elements of Screenplay (July 7, 2025)

Here are the building blocks of formatting (and so of screenwriting).

8 lessons

1. 3-1 Transition.mp4

2. 3-2 Scene Heading a.k.a. Slugline.mp4

3. 3-3 Action description.mp4

4. 3-4 Character.mp4

5. 3-5 Parenthetical.mp4

6. 3-6 Dialogue.mp4

7. 3-7 That's it for features..mp4

8. 3-8 Feature Film Script No-nos.mp4

Session 4: Your First Screenwriting Assignment (July 14, 2025)

This is an adaptation assignment from fiction to script. You should end up with about four pages of script, but learn many of the tools you will need to write your own screenplays.

7 lessons

1. 4-1 Intro to The Maltese Falcon.mp4

2. 4-2 Essential differences between novels and screenplays.mp4

3. 4-3 Let's adapt Chapter One and the start of Chapter Two.mp4

4. 4-4 Save Your Document.mp4

5. 4-5 Create a Title Page.mp4

6. 4-6 Starting your screenplay.mp4

7. 4-7 Setting the First Scene.mp4

Session 5: Introducing Characters and Writing Dialogue (July 21, 2025)

How much (or little) description of a character is a writer allowed (or expected) to give? Here you will learn how to introduce your characters effectively.

8 lessons

1. 5-1 Intro to Sam Spade.mp4

2. 5-2 Sam's first line of dialogue.mp4

3. 5-3 Why is Effie Perine such a good character.mp4

4. 5-4 How to start a new scene when Effie exits to the waiting room.mp4

5. 5-5 Start a new scene when Miss Wonderley enters.mp4

6. 5-6 How to break up dialogue or write phone calls.mp4

7. 5-7 How to deal with SOUNDS.mp4

8. 5-8 You have now written the beginning of your first screenplay.mp4

Session 6: Write Short Film Script (July 28, 2025)

Best to watch this session piece-by-piece over the course of about a week, as there are mini-assignments between each short lesson, leading to the final assignment, in which you will write and submit a short script, then read three of your classmates' short scripts.

8 lessons

1. 6-1 What makes a good short film script.mp4

2. 6-2 Come up with three ideas for short film plots.mp4

3. 6-3 Choose your strongest idea using the forum.mp4

4. 6-4 Outline your plot in a single page.mp4

5. 6-5 Develop your characters.mp4

6. 6-6 Consider your theme.mp4

7. 6-7 Now write your first draft.mp4

8. 6-8 How to give constructive feedback in a workshop.mp4

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Learning Outcomes

Below you will find an overview of the Learning Outcomes you will achieve as you complete this course.

Understanding Screenwriting Fundamentals:

Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the core principles and techniques of screenwriting, including story structure, character development, and narrative pacing.

Proficient Story Concept Development

Students will learn how to generate and refine compelling story concepts, ensuring they have a strong foundation for their screenplays.

Skillful Scene Construction

Students will learn to craft scenes that are visually appealing, emotionally resonant, and advance the story, utilizing effective dialogue, action, and description.

Proficient Dialogue Writing

Students will develop the ability to write authentic and engaging dialogue that reveals character traits, propels the narrative, and captures the audience's attention.

Formatting and Industry Standards

Students will become proficient in screenplay formatting, adhering to industry standards and guidelines to ensure their scripts are easily readable and professional.

Instructors And Guests

Kat Montagu

instructor

kmontagu@vfs.com

Writer and story editor Kat Montagu is the Head of Department for the Vancouver Film School Writing for Film, Television & Games program. Kat has taught screenwriting for over twenty years. Her Career Launch class has prepared countless VFS graduates to work on feature films, in the writers' rooms of TV series, and in video game studios. Her students rave about her enthusiasm, wealth of knowledge, and the high standards she inspires. It’s no surprise that she’s been named a VFS Instructor of the Year three times.

Kat is also the author of the bestselling book The Dreaded Curse: Screenplay Formatting for Film & Television. This twist on the how-to guide demonstrates best practices though a riotous story of two witches (loosely) inspired by her own family history. It is used to teach screenwriting at film schools and universities globally. She’s also the senior story editor for Crazy8s, and co-produced indie feature film The Prodigal Dad as well as many short films.

Kat loves The Apartment, Ted Lasso, and Legend of Zelda, but she currently writes noir one-hour drama series pilots.

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What You Need to Take This Course

You can use free screenwriting software for this course (recommendations in Session 2) or buy paid software if you already feel sure that screenwriting is part of your future.

Kat's book The Dreaded Curse: Screenplay Formatting for Film & TV would be a useful resource, but is not essential. It is currently in paperback on Amazon, but will soon also be available as an eBook.

All other resources are supplied.

Open for Enrollment

Would you like to enroll?

Enrollment has closed

The Art of Storytelling: Your First Screenplay Adventure

Would you like to enroll?

Enrollment has closed

This course is in adaptive mode and is open for enrollment. Learn more about adaptive courses here.

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