The creation of all the interesting movies, shows, dramas, and operas you’ve ever enjoyed was made possible by the work of a screenwriter. In fact, visual entertainment can’t be mentioned without the role of a screenwriter because he puts breathe in the characters, worlds, and dramas unfolding on screen.
That is to say, a screenwriter plays a vital role in the entertainment industry which cannot be overemphasized.
Now, here is the interesting part!
In as much as how vital this career poses to be, anyone can easily become a screenwriter just by enrolling in screenwriting classes online. Even you!
And the big part of it all is that these online screenwriting classes can create the platform for you to acquire professional skills from captains in the screenwriting world who over time have proven to be inaccessible.
In this article, we’ve curated the 15 best Best Online Screenwriting Classes for Beginners & Experts. That means whether you’re a novice or an expert in this field, but need advanced knowledge, these courses can serve you.
Why Screenwriting Online Classes?
The reasons for screenwriting classes online can never be overemphasized.
Aside from the skills and knowledge, you will gain while undergoing a screenwriting class, you can become a screenwriter at your pace, unlike traditional learning settings where you have to learn at the pace of the school system.
Another point is that online screening classes are immersive and more engaging. And in a community of kind people, you may learn to help you reach your goals of being a skilled screenwriter.
How Much Does Screenwriters MAKE?
Most professional screenwriters are members of the Writers Guild of America, union. Although membership is not needed, it is suggested.
For the screenwriter, the WGA sets minimum wages. A non-union writer can write for millions of dollars free while an accomplished screenwriter can write.
The wages also depend on whether you write a low-budget script or a high-budget movie. Low-budget films are commonly paying approximately 60.000 dollars and high-budget films pay much more than 100.000 dollars.
Writers of Comic books can make $100-$300 on average for every page. Writers of scripts specializing in video games can make $20,000 in writing.
What is Screenwriting Software?
Screenwriting software basically allows you to compose, modify, format, and print the scripts used in movies, TV, or video games.
It helps scripts to comply with the industry’s demanding size limits, to analyze and repair the language and grammar, and to keep documents backed up.
This software eliminates the need for manual formatting to ensure the industry standards comply with your script.
Below are some Screenwriting Softwares you can use:
- Final Draft
- Celtx
- WriterDuet
- Trelby
- Scrivener
- Fade In
- KIT Scenarist
- Movie Magic Screenwriter
- Highland 2
- StudioBinder
- Page 2 Stage
15 Best Online Screenwriting Classes
Here are the 15 Best Online Screenwriting Classes:
- Write A Feature Length Screenplay For Film Or Television- Michigan State University
- Screenwriting Course
- Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV or Web Series (Project-Centered Course)- Michigan State University
- Building your Screenplay- University of Cambridge
- Business Success in the Screen Industries- University of Cambridge
- Learn Screenwriting By Writing One Scene in a Screenplay Format
- Micro-Budget Filmmaking: Screenwriting
- Learn To Write Movies: Screenwriting Step by Step
- Screenwriting: Writing the 10-minute Short
- Screenwriting Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Screenwriting
- Write Like Jurassic World- Udemy
- Screenwriting Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Screenwriting
- Beginning Screenwriting made EASY – Screenwriting Course-UdemyFilm Screenwriting: Writing and Business of Screenwriting- Udemy
- Screenwriting Masterclass: Crafting Complex Characters- Udemy
#1. Write A Feature Length Screenplay For Film Or Television- Michigan State University
Cost: Free
Length: 93 Hours
Level: Beginner
This is one of the best online screenwriting classes worth going for if you really want to become a good screenwriter. Going through this class will teach you how to write a Film or TV screenplay with feature-length, whether it be a grave drama or a romantic comedy.
You will learn how to separate the creative process into components and uncover an organized procedure that enables you to make a finished and ready-to-use script by the end of the course.
Additionally, this online screenwriting course helps to enhance your trust in your thoughts and skills and prepare you for your first script.
#2. Screenwriting Course
Cost: Free
Length: 4-5 Hours
Level: Beginneers
Next on our list of best screenwriting online classes worth enrolling in this 2021 is the free screenwriting Course provided by Alison.
This free online screenplay teaches you the basics of writing and explores different genres and formats. This class teaches you how to research, develop a story and make a screenplay of your concept.
Moreso, it teaches how the characters are developed, your script is cleared and your idea is selling. Going further, you can be sure of learning the large or tiny screen ‘do’ and ‘do’s not writing before the completion of the class.
#3. Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV or Web Series (Project-Centered Course)- Michigan State University
Cost: Free
Length: 22 Hours
Level: Beginners
This is among the best free online screenwriting classes offered by Michigan Stae University through the Coursera learning platform.
Taking this course online may help you develop your own original TV or web shows, be it drama, comedy, or something in between, and create a whole pilot episode.
This class also teaches you how to separate the creative process into components and find an organized procedure that enables you to make a finished and ready-to-use script in just a couple of weeks.
Note that completing this project will boost your trust in your ideas and skills and you’re ready to pitch your first script and start your next one.
#4. Building your Screenplay- University of Cambridge
Cost: Free
Length: 8 Weeks
Level: Intermediate
Another online screenwriting course on our list is the ‘Building your Screenplay” course which is part of the University of Cambridge’s MicroMasters Program.
This online screenwriting course takes a broader look at how to build a screenplay that portrays its meaning with visual images.
While taking this course, you’ll learn a Specialized understanding of performance history and traditions as well as innovative practice and practice contexts for film and television; contemporary critical, analytical, and narrative production theories.
More so, you get skills in script editing and discover how to create an efficient structure inside a screenplay.
#5. Business Success in the Screen Industries- University of Cambridge
Cost: Free
Length: 4 Weeks
Level: Intermediate
Do you want to learn how to network in the creative world? Do you want to know the best way to pitch your film to a producer, or organize a TV show? This course is for you!
With this course, you can get the skill that will help you build and convert your ideas into a tangible asset in the creative industry.
This free online screenwriting class can extend your grasp of how you can successfully conduct a career as a professional screenwriter and how to maximize and enjoy your personal creative processes.
#6. Learn Screenwriting By Writing One Scene in a Screenplay Format
Cost; Free
Lenght: 48 mintues
Level: All
Have you written a story before and you want to write for film and TV? This free online screenwriting class is for you.
This is one of the best screenwriting online classes that helps to deepen ones understanding and help him/her become a good author.
During the course, you’ll learn how to create a scene, the basics to write a screenplay, how to prepare for writing a scene, as well as tons of tools that can help you write film scenes easily.
Going further, you’ll learn how to demystify the screenwriting process and also have your creative strengths librated.
#7. Micro-Budget Filmmaking: Screenwriting
Cost: Free
Length: 38 Minutes
Level: Beginners
Need a guide to the filmmaking process? Are you struggling with taking the initial step as a screenwriter/filmmaker? Enroll in this class and you will be glad you did.
This online class of screenwriters teaches you how to reduce every idea to one that is most successful for you. It also teaches how to select a project of interest that is possible with low resources.
Moreso, it informs its learners about how to develop convincing characters and manage time successfully as a writer.
#8. Learn To Write Movies: Screenwriting Step by Step
Cost: Free
Length: 3h-58m
Level: Beginner
You got an excellent concept for a film, but you don’t know how to compose the script? Is screenwriting too difficult to think? Or you may have always desired to be an author of a script, but you didn’t know where to start… Well, that’s what you need in an online class!
This class of online screenwriting teaches you to step by step through screenwriting. It includes all you need to know from concepts to character creations, organization, and writing.
It provides a greater knowledge on your screenplay facet: concept, protagonist, opponent, subject, character support, structural writing, scenes, and dialogue.
You’ll have the necessary knowledge to make a superb screenplay by the end of the semester. As you proceed and plot the whole film, you will be able to fill in the sheets.
You can, Moreso, develop unforgettable three-dimensional characters which grab the attention of a producer. And you can even structure your films in Hollywood.
#9. Screenwriting: Writing the 10-minute Short
Cost: Free
Length: 1h 21m
Level: Beginner
Eager to learn the basics of screenwriting in a supportive space? This free screenwriting class online is for you.
You will learn how to compose a 10-minute short film for the screenplay, which you can then use to print or produce.
This course focuses on the three-act structure and the clockwork of engaging stories, one of the best in the online screenplay. It will also take you to the screenwriting parts of Style, which include the formatting on the page.
You will also understand how you write a treatment or a synopsis of your idea in the anatomy of a good short film.
Furthermore, you’ll learn how to digest comments efficiently without feeling disgusted Professional development and production search.
#10. Screenwriting Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Screenwriting
Cost: Free
Length: 3h 34m
Level: All Lveles
This is one of the best screenwriting online classes that will walk you through the key steps to make a wonderful screenplay
You will have all the tools to write your own screenplay at the conclusion of this course. Each segment of the course builds on the previous one with new skills.
In fact, you will write your script when you take this course by taking action and executing these exercises. You will not only get the skills and knowledge, but you can follow all the courses through your own script!
#11. Write Like Jurassic World- Udemy
Cost: $60
Length: 1 hour
Level: Advanced
Want to get concrete examples of screenwriting used in popular movies? This online screenwriting course is right for you!
This screenwriting online course will teach you how to practice writing based on Jurassic methods. It will also give you an understanding of the themes of the Jurassic world like the ethics of genetic engineering and what our theme parks tell us about our capitalist society.
Moreso, you will get a better idea after this course of study of how experienced filmmakers write these large films. Even better, you may employ these abilities in your OWN films using the associated exercises!
#12. Beginning Screenwriting made EASY – Screenwriting Course-Udemy
Cost: $95
Length: 2.5 hours
Level: All
Are you new to screenwriting? Do you want to turn your novel into a screenplay? This course is designed for you!
This is one of the best screenwriting online classes offered by Udemy.
This screenwriting class will take you on a step-step approach to writing a screen. It covers all the essentials you require to prepare your film script, including premise, character structure, writing, screenplay, and what to do after the first draft has been written.
When you finish the course you will understand novice screenwriters’ biggest mistakes and how to maximize the likelihood of creating your scripts in Hollywood BEFORE.
You will also know your thoughts for the tale and how you create ideas for story writing and how you may resonate with the audience.
In addition, in your script, you will learn how to construct characters, fundamental screenplay design, and screenplay formats, as well as how to receive comments on your screenplay.
#13. Film Screenwriting: Writing and Business of Screenwriting- Udemy
Cost; $34.99
Length: 2 hours
Level: All
This is one of the best online screenwriting classes that offer an extensive explanation of all aspects of a professional film screenwriter’s unique industry.
This training will specifically show you how to compose a script, record it and make it a feature film. It also helps to grasp development, rewriting, genres, marketability, texts, studios, syndicates, and more.
It outlines, Moreso, the structure of the writing of movies and film business. It also helps to comprehend the script’s components, the difference in film and TV writing, the important terminology in the industry, and how to become a professional writer of movies.
#14. Screenwriting Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Screenwriting
Cost: $94.99
Length: 3h 36m
Level: Beginners
Still asking, which screenwriting classes are near me? This is one of the best courses on screenwriting near you that you can go for if you want to write a screenplay as a filmmaker.
This course in screenwriting will lead you through crucial phases in building a great screenplay, including the following: how can you discover excellent ideas for history? develop your characters? structure your screenplay using free and professional applications.
You will have all the necessary abilities to write your own screenplay by the end of this course. In each portion of the course, new knowledge and practice are built on the preceding section.
You will really write your script as you take this course by taking action and executing these exercises. Not only can you earn your abilities and knowledge, but you may get a screenplay of your own by completing all the training activities!
#15. Screenwriting Masterclass: Crafting Complex Characters- Udemy
Cost: $95
Length: 1 Hour
Level: Advanced
In this online screenplay class, you will learn how to connect a viewer to the main character, the importance of empathy, how to make a great character relatable, and lots more.
This will in turn help you have a great plot because with the strong character development skill you will learn from this class, you can build a great plot. This considering the fact that you can’t have a great plot without a good or strong character.
Therefore, if you are interested in why people connect with characters, this online course is for you!
FAQs
What are the top screenwriting online classes I can go for?
Here are top online screenwriting courses you can enroll in this 2021:
- Write A Feature Length Screenplay For Film Or Television- Michigan State University
- Screenwriting Course
- Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV or Web Series (Project-Centered Course)- Michigan State University
- Building your Screenplay- University of Cambridge
- Business Success in the Screen Industries- University of Cambridge
- Learn Screenwriting By Writing One Scene in a Screenplay Format
- Micro-Budget Filmmaking: Screenwriting
- Learn To Write Movies: Screenwriting Step by Step
- Screenwriting: Writing the 10-minute Short
- Screenwriting Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Screenwriting
- Write Like Jurassic World- Udemy
- Screenwriting Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Screenwriting
- Beginning Screenwriting made EASY – Screenwriting Course-UdemyFilm Screenwriting: Writing and Business of Screenwriting- Udemy
- Screenwriting Masterclass: Crafting Complex Characters- Udemy
How Much can a Screenwriter earn?
The wages also depend on whether you write a low-budget script or a high-budget movie. Low-budget films are commonly paying approximately 60.000 dollars and high-budget films pay much more than 100.000 dollars.
What screenwriting softwares can I use?
Some of the screenwriting software that can help you write a wonderful screen include:
- Final Draft
- Celtx
- WriterDuet
- Trelby
- Scrivener
- Fade In
- KIT Scenarist….
Reference
- https://alison.com/tag/screenwriting
- https://www.edx.org/search?q=Screenwriting%20
- https://www.skillshare.com/
- https://www.udemy.com/
- https://www.coursera.org/search?query=Screenwriting%20
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