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Writing for the Screen I: Explorations and Beginnings


Course Description

Students will research, develop, create, and pitch ideas for a feature-length screenplay or a television series. After approval by the faculty mentor, students will begin work on the project.


Athena Title

Writing for the Screen I


Non-Traditional Format

This course will be taught 95% or more online.


Semester Course Offered

Offered fall


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

With the guidance of his or her assigned faculty mentor, students will understand how to research, develop, and pitch a screenplay for a feature-length film or teleplay for a television series. Students will learn how to write a treatment for a feature-length motion picture or a bible for a television series. Students will complete a first act or a pilot episode at the end of the course.


Topical Outline

I. Finding and developing story ideas. II. Pitching motion picture and television series ideas. III. Writing treatments. IV. Writing beat sheets. V. Formatting screenplays and teleplays. VI. Mastering screenwriting software - Final Draft and Celtx. VII. Writing screenplays and teleplays.