Screenwriting Course: Screenwriting is the art of writing scripts, creating stories, developing characters, and writing dialogues for mass media such as feature films, short films, commercials, television productions, etc. It involves writing down the movements, expressions, dialogues, and actions of a character in a screenplay format. It is not the same as writing a novel or a poem as it requires particular formatting methods. Often it is a freelance profession. It is a field of performing arts that do not require any particular educational qualification.
What does a Screenwriter do?
A screenwriter is responsible for writing a motion picture’s screenplay. They are responsible for creating characters, dialogues, storyline of a movie script or any other screenplay.
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Screenwriting Course: Eligibility
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Educational Qualification | Minimum: 10+2 (any stream) Most diploma and certificate courses accept 12th pass candidates Graduate degree preferred for PG diploma or master’s courses |
| Minimum Marks | No strict cut-off; basic pass percentage (40–50%) is usually sufficient |
| Language Proficiency | Good command over English and/or Hindi (or regional language) required for effective storytelling |
| Age Limit | No age limit for most courses |
| Preferred Background (not mandatory) | Literature, journalism, mass communication, filmmaking, performing arts, or creative writing background can help |
| Entrance/Portfolio | Some institutes may ask for: – A writing sample or short script – Statement of Purpose (SOP) or Interview – Online entrance exam (for advanced or full-time programs) |
SCREENWRITING COURSES
| Institute / Platform | Course Name | Type | Duration | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTII, Pune | Certificate Course in Screenplay Writing | Certificate | 6 months | Offline |
| SRFTI, Kolkata | Direction & Screenplay Writing (under PG) | PG Diploma | 3 years | Offline |
| Whistling Woods International, Mumbai | Screenwriting (under Filmmaking) | UG/PG Diploma | 1–3 years | Offline |
| Mumbai Film Academy | Diploma in Scriptwriting | Diploma | 6–12 months | Offline |
| AAFT, Noida | Certificate in Creative Writing & Screenplay | Certificate | 3–6 months | Offline |
| National Institute of Film and Fine Arts (N.I.F.F.A), Kolkata | Screenwriting and Film Direction | Diploma | 1 year | Offline |
| Mindscreen Film Institute, Chennai | Screenwriting Course | Certificate | 6 months | Offline |
| Virtual Academy (Whistling Woods) | Basics of Screenwriting | Online Certificate | Self-paced | Online |
| St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai | Screenplay Writing Workshop | Short-Term | 6–8 weeks | Offline |
| Coursera (via Wesleyan University) | “Scriptwriting: Write a Pilot Episode” | Certificate | 4–8 weeks | Online |
| Udemy | Screenwriting Masterclass / Dialogue Writing | Short-Term | Self-paced | Online |
| Skillshare | Storytelling & Screenwriting Basics | Short-Term | Self-paced | Online |
SKILLS REQUIRED
- Creative imagination
- Well Organized and dedicated
- Teamwork
- Realistic and ambitious
- Able to take criticism
- Familiar with the software of formatting and writing screenplays
- Able to work with strict deadlines
- Observational skills
- Good command over at least two languages
SCREENWRITING COURSE SYLLABUS
- English Language
- Film Analysis and History
- Introduction to Indian Arts
- Creative Writing
- Introduction to Media & Communication
- Introduction to Film Making and Animation
- Understanding of Word Art and Art context
- Screenwriting
- Essentials of Screenwriting
- Cultural Studies
- Writing a short film
- Advanced Screenwriting
- Writing for Television
- History and Evolution of Theatre
- Writing Documentaries, Ads, and other media
- Working with Genre
- The Art of Adaptation
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Best Screenwriting Institutes in India
Colleges abroad offering Screenwriting Course:
- New York Film Academy, USA
- Central Film School, London
- University of Southern California, USA
- University of Chichester, England
Screenwriting Job Prospects
- Talent Agencies
- Production Houses
- Work from home/freelance
- Film studios
- Colleges/Universities
JOB TYPES
- Script Reading
- Agency Assistant
- Teaching
- Advertising copywriter
- Talent Agent
- Film Critic
- Video game writer
- Film, TV, Short film, Commercials writer
A screenwriter has to perform the following duties:
- Visualize the story, develop its base, and write it down.
- Create characters and make the story relatable to the audience.
- Plan the twists and the climax of the story to make it more interesting and engaging.
- Their main work is to provide the basic skeleton of the story and give it a direction so that the director, cast, and crew can work upon it and present the screenplay to the audience.
- Research and develop ideas for screenplays
- Putting together the scene elements with plot and dialogues
- Work with producers, directors, and editors to adjust the script if required.
- Meet film directors, executives or producers to pitch the screenplay ideas
Screenwriting Course: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the salary offered to a screenwriting course graduate?
Salary offered to a screenwriter depends upon how good one is at scriptwriting. Scriptwriters are not paid monthly; they are paid on a project basis or hourly basis. So the payment one gets depends entirely on how good they are at writing scripts or the film executives they are working with. However, the money offered to a scriptwriter can vary from INR 2 Lacs to INR 12 Lacs per project.
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- Does a screenwriting course degree promise a job?
Scriptwriting is a field performing arts so whether you will be hired by production houses or not entirely depends upon your skills and how well you are at writing a screenplay. Initially, it requires a lot of hard work, as you have to pitch your ideas to talent agencies, production companies, film executives, etc. If you are lucky enough to have one of your scripts picked up and put into production then there is no looking back as it will further open your chances to get more projects and generate a constant source of income.
- Do you need a degree to become a screenwriter?
No, screenplay writers do not require any specific educational qualification as long as they are talented and creative enough. However, enrolling in a scriptwriting course/program allows you to learn from experienced professionals and further enhance your writing skills.