15 Best Online Screenwriting Classes for Beginners & Experts 

The creation of all the interesting movies, shows, dramas, and operas you’ve ever enjoyed was made possible by the work of a screenwriter. Visual entertainment can’t be mentioned without a screenwriter’s role because he puts breath 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!

As much as this career is vital, 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 have proven to be inaccessible over time.

In this article, we’ve curated the 15 best Best Online Screenwriting Classes for Beginners & Experts. That means these courses can serve you whether you’re a novice or an expert in this field but need advanced knowledge.

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 become a skilled screenwriter.

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How Much Do 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 accomplished screenwriters can.

The wages also depend on whether you write a low-budget script or a high-budget movie. Low-budget films commonly pay 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 allows you to compose, modify, format, and print scripts in movies, TV, or video games.

It helps scripts to comply with the industry’s demanding size limits, analyze and repair the language and grammar, and 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 Software 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- Coursera

Cost: Free

 Length: 93 Hours

 Level: Beginner

This is one of the best online screenwriting classes worth attending if you want to become a good screenwriter. This class will teach you how to write a Film or TV screenplay with feature-length, whether 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.

Online Class Link

Read Also: 13 Free Free Online Writing Classes in 2024 | Beginners and Pros

#2. Screenwriting Course

Cost: Free

Length: 4-5 Hours

Level: Beginner

Next on our list of best screenwriting online classes worth enrolling in this 2024 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 class completion.

Online Class Link

#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 Michigan State University offers through the Coursera learning platform.

This online course may help you develop your 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 to make a finished and ready-to-use script in just a couple of weeks.

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.

Online Class Link

#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, 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, innovative practice and practice contexts for film and television, and 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.

Online Class Link

#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 how best 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 to help you build and convert your ideas into tangible assets in the creative industry.

This free online screenwriting class can extend your grasp of how to successfully conduct a professional screenwriter career and maximize and enjoy your creative processes.

Online Class Link

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#6. Learn Screenwriting By Writing One Scene in a Screenplay Format

Cost: Free

Length: 48 minutes

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 help to deepen one’s understanding and help him/her become a good author.

During the course, you’ll learn how to create a scene, the basics of writing a screenplay, how to prepare for a scene, and tons of tools to help you write film scenes easily.

Going further, you’ll learn how to demystify the screenwriting process and have your creative strengths validated.

Online Class Link

#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 developing convincing characters and managing time successfully as a writer.

Online Class Link

Read Also: Top 15 Summer Writing Programs For High School Students In 2024

#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 about? 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 step by step through screenwriting. It includes all you need to know, from concepts to character creation, organization, and writing.

It provides a greater knowledge of 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 can fill in the sheets.

Moreso, you can develop unforgettable three-dimensional characters that grab a producer’s attention. And you can even structure your films in Hollywood.

Online Class Link

#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 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 and also Professional development and production search.

Online Class Link

#10. Screenwriting Masterclass: A Complete Guide to Screenwriting

Cost: Free

 Length: 3h 34m

 Level: All Levels

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 screenplay after this course. Each segment of the course builds on the previous one with new skills.

You will write your script when you take this course by taking action and executing these exercises. You will get the skills and knowledge and can follow all the courses through your own script!

Online Class Link

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#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 online screenwriting course will teach you how to practice writing using Jurassic methods. It will also give you an understanding of the themes of 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. You may employ these abilities in your OWN films using the associated exercises!

Online Class Link

#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 to prepare your film script, including the premise, character structure, writing, screenplay, and what to do after writing the first draft.

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 on the tale, 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.

Online Class Link

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#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 extensively explain 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 the film business. This training also helps to comprehend the script’s components, the difference between film and TV writing, the important terminology in the industry, and how to become a professional writer of movies.

Online Class Link

#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 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 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 by completing all the training activities!

Online Class Link

Read Also: 10 Best Schools for Creative Writing in the World | 2024

#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 help you have a great plot because you can build a great plot with the strong character development skill you will learn from this class. This is because 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!

Online Class Link

FAQs

Reference

•  alison.com – Free Online Screenwriting Courses
•  edx.org – Screenwriting courses
•  skillshare.com – Explore Inspiring Online Courses
•  udemy.com – A broad selection of courses

Recommendations

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•  Top 15 Summer Writing Programs For High School Students In 2024
•  10 Best Schools for Creative Writing in the World | 2024

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