Screenwriting
Well-developed characters, exciting action, thrilling tension—many facets combine to create a captivating story.
In an era of prolific digital content creation, story is still king.
Our screenwriting courses teach students the science behind the art of great storytelling.
In an era of prolific digital content creation, story is still king.
Our screenwriting courses teach students the science behind the art of great storytelling.
From Story to Script: Visual Storytelling for Single and Episodic Story Formats introduces students to the fundamental concepts of fictional story creation for the visual medium of movies and television. Students will focus on the pillars that form a solid foundation for compelling narrative such as premise, genre, character development, story structure, and more.
Exploring Genres and Adaptations will delve into writing for specific popular genres including horror, science fiction, book and comic adaptations, and fantasy. Students will learn to develop story concepts and apply specific tools of visual storytelling to capitalize on the strengths of these genres.
Watch a clip of our instructor Michael Tabb explain the most important aspect of storytelling in film!
Course Overview
From Story to Script: Visual Storytelling for Single and Episodic Story Formats
Module 1: Origin of Stories
Starts March 9, 2022
Learn the key elements of engaging storytelling including character creation, 3-act story arc design, premise development, and genre analysis.
Module 2: Writing a Short Film
Starts April 6, 2022
Develop your original ideas for a short film by generating a premise, plot, and characters under the guidance of a Hollywood writer.
Module 3: Writing a Show Bible
Starts May 4, 2022
Create a set of characters in a world that can inspire multiple stories and plots for an episodic show fit for TV or digital streaming.
Virtual Live Workshops on Wednesdays at 4:00 PM PST / 7:00 PM EST
Genre Explorations and Adaptations
Module 1: Writing Dark Stories
Starts March 13, 2022
Explore the evolution, tools, and concepts for developing dark and sometimes scary scripts for film and TV.
Module 2: Writing the Fantastic
Starts April 10, 2022
Unleash your imagination and delve into the world of supernatural storytelling as students learn how to make the fantastic and unreal into compelling stories.
Module 3: Adaptations and Fan Fiction
Starts May 8, 2022
Learn the art of adaptation and how to make books, comics, and stage plays into visual stories fit for the big and small screens.
Virtual Live Workshops on Sundays at 10:00 AM PST / 1:00 PM EST
Additional Information
Tech Requirements
- Desktop PC or Mac
- High-speed Internet connection
- Web camera and microphone
Course Format
- Our virtual courses blend pre-recorded lectures crafted by experts & weekly live online workshops with your instructors and classmates.
- Final projects for each module are due exactly one week after the last meeting date of respective module at midnight PST.
Flexible Modules for High School Credit
- Students who complete three modules in any order within one creative discipline will receive one semester of high school elective credit.
- Modules can be taken individually for non-credit.
- Prior modules do not need to be taken in order to attend the next module.
Meet the Instructor
MICHAEL TABB
Michael Tabb is a fifteen-year active member of the Writers Guild of America (the Hollywood professional screenwriters’ union). A multi-award-winning screenwriter and screenwriting educator who has authored a film-festival-winning Best Screenplay, two screenplays produced for Universal Studios, and the how-to book Prewriting Your Screenplay: A Step-By-Step Guide to Generating Stories, Tabb has also developed feature film projects in collaboration with Disney Feature Animation, The Canton Company at Warner Brothers, Academy Award winner Dustin Hoffman, comic book icon Stan Lee, and many more. Learn more about his work by visiting his website at www.MichaelTabbWGA.com.
Tuition Pricing
Single Module
Spring Module Package
Fill out an Application Form
to reserve a seat in our program.
Questions or Concerns Before You Commit?
Thank you!