The Scriptwriting Course
The Scriptwriting Course
Learn How to Write a Standout Script for Stage, Screen or Radio
All the tools for scriptwriting in one course
The Scriptwriting Course is for anyone who just knows they’re born to tell stories. They also want to see their work produced on screen or on stage in New Zealand.
Whether you’re a novice wanting to learn more, or an experienced writer in another genre keen on diversifying, this course guides you through the essential building blocks of scriptwriting, from creating characters and dialogue to understanding structure.
From first idea to final draft, this course will teach you how to write a compelling script.
The Scriptwriting Course Gives You...
No Automated Marking
We use traditional methods of assessing work, as editors at publishing houses would. No generic feedback!
A Flexible Schedule
Work wherever and whenever you want. You can easily fit our courses around work and other commitments.
Relevant, Usable Content
Easy-to-digest course notes that capture a lifetime of writing experience, ready for you to apply to your own writing.
Ongoing Assessment
Your writing is assessed continuously as your course progresses.
Expert, Individual Feedback
Get prompt, honest, detailed feedback on every assignment from an award-winning writer. We focus on your unique writing strengths.
No Peer Reviews!
You will only be assessed by your tutor, a leader in their field. No more guessing and wondering how to write; you'll be guided line by line.
Master the Basics of Scriptwriting
A scriptwriter's essential toolkit
The Scriptwriting Course breaks down the essentials of crafting a script into ten modules. We look at the different elements of scriptwriting in isolation before bringing them all together to create a short script that engages, entertains and is written in your own unique voice.
Created by a writer with experience in all genres, the course highlights what makes scriptwriting unlike any other form of writing.
Natural dialogue, subtext, characters that come to life, how to write visually: it’s all covered here in these ten targeted modules.
Master the Basics of Scriptwriting
A scriptwriter's essential toolkit
The Scriptwriting Course breaks down the essentials of crafting a script into ten modules. We look at the different elements of scriptwriting in isolation before bringing them all together to create a short script that engages, entertains and is written in your own unique voice.
Created by a writer with experience in all genres, the course highlights what makes scriptwriting unlike any other form of writing.
Natural dialogue, subtext, characters that come to life, how to write visually: it’s all covered here in these ten targeted modules.
‘A great experience. Karen was knowledgeable and incredibly supportive. Fantastic course. Well worth the money!’
Kerryn Campion, The Scriptwriting Course
Course Overview
COURSE FEE
$ 1 295
Price includes GST
NUMBER OF ASSIGNMENTS
10
The assignments vary in length.
NUMBER OF MODULES
10
These modules include around 200 pages of course notes.
COURSE DURATION
12
Work at your own pace – up to a maximum of 12 months.
START DATE: ANYTIME
Working with an individual tutor means you can start the course at any time.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Basic writing skills are essential.
- Computer skills, e-mail and Internet access required.
- No previous tertiary qualification required.
Our Graduate Students' Successes
We are proud of our graduates who have achieved success. Here are a few among dozens of our creative writing success stories.
Tutors for this Course
Karen Jeynes
Karen has been on our staff for over 15 years. Over the years, she has established herself as a hugely popular and respected mentor for emerging scriptwriters. She studied drama and linguistics at the University of Cape Town and obtained her Honours in The Art of Writing from the University of Western Cape.
Karen has won numerous awards and nominations for her co-writing of TV series, including two Emmy nominations for Best TV Comedy. Currently, she is the head writer for Both Worlds Productions, overseeing ZANews: Puppet Nation (winner of 22 South African Film and Television Awards and two Writer’s Guild of South Africa Awards for Best TV Comedy), as well as Point of Order (SAFTA winner for Best Game Show in 2017), Comedy Central News and Parlement Parlement.
Before joining Both Worlds Productions, Karen had extensive experience writing and producing in both theatre and television. Her plays include the multi-award winning Everybody Else (is f*cking perfect) (Best Comedy 2005), Kiss Kiss, I’ll Have What She’s Having and Laying Blame, as well as Vaslav, which was nominated for three Fleur du Cap Awards. She served as head writer for 90 Plein Street, as well as writing for shows like Thabang Thabong, Vaya Mzansi and Moferefere Lenyalong. She is in demand as a script consultant and advisor, working with local and international production companies and channels. Today she serves on the board of Women Playwrights International and was the president of the International Centre for Women Playwrights for six years.
Her achievements aren’t confined to television and theatre. Her adaptation of Thomas Rapakgadi’s The Purse is Mine aired on Bush Radio. SAfm has featured her excellent series Office Hours, co-written with Nkuli Sibeko, as well as the radio version of Sky Too Big. Her teen novels, Jacques Attack, co-authored with Nkuli Sibeko, and Flipside, co-authored with Eeshaam September, were released by New Africa Books. She also has a children’s story published in the anthology Metz and Bop and Other Stories.
Karen tutors the Scriptwriting Course and the Advanced Scriptwriting Course. When she isn’t busy, she indulges her deep obsession with reality television, Good Omens, chaos theory and Nutella.
Course Curriculum
Module 1
- Understanding the role of the scriptwriter in film, theatre and radio
- Exercise: Write a review of a film or a play, focusing on how the script succeeds or fails.
Module 2
- The dos and don’ts, or the rules and how to break them
- Exercise: Write an anecdote from real life. Then rewrite it with a different structure and see how that changes the story.
Module 3
- How to create characters, flesh them out, and let them have their way
- Exercise: Create four well-developed characters that grow out of the story structure you created.
Module 4
- Text and subtext
- The difference between written and spoken text
- Exercise: Analyse the sample scripts. Take two of your characters and write a dialogue between them.
Module 5
- Scripts as performance material
- Exercise: Using your other two characters, write a scene with little or no dialogue, focusing on action.
Module 6
- Where to start and how to end
- Exercise: Analyse the examples. Then write two possible beginnings and two possible endings to your story.
Module 7
The Technical Stuff
- Understanding the strengths and limitations of different mediums
- Exercise: Write a detailed explanation of which medium: Screen (film or TV), Stage, or audio (radio, digital or podcasts)) is best for your script and why.
Module 8
Knowing Your Market
- Discussion of the New Zealand scene
- Exercise: Write a treatment for your script, including characters, a scene breakdown and sample scenes.
Module 9
Cutting and Editing
- Being brutal and ‘taking it out’ while maintaining the truth
- Exercise: Take a sample scene and cut it down to the minimum. Look at the order of your scene. See if you can change things around and what effect that would have.
Module 10
Opportunities for Writers
- Putting it all together
- Exercise: Write a final script review, taking note of what works and what doesn’t.
- Exercise: Complete your short script.
This course offers an advanced course option
What Our Students Say
Get These Additional Benefits
Lifetime Course Access
Benefit from free lifetime access to future course updates and access to our writing resources.
Work at Your Own Pace
Our courses work around you. You can pace your course around your busy life.
500+ Bonus Articles on Our Blog
A superb, constantly updated resource with articles on writing and interviews with writers.
Work Opportunities
Top students are invited to join our writers and editors for hire service.
Be the First to Know About Writing Competitions
We'll help you keep up to date with the latest competition announcements
Join a Community of Writers
You will have access to our friendly Facebook community, daily writing tips and writing inspiration.
Risk-Free 100% Money-Back Guarantee
We are so confident that you will love your course that if you’re not 100% satisfied with the quality of our training, simply ask for a refund within 30 days.
Complete the Application Form to Enrol on the Scriptwriting Course
You will receive an approval email and invoice within one working day.
Should your form not submit, please let admin know at admin@nzwriterscollege.co.nz
Questions?
We've Got Answers
Detailed course notes covering the content of each module will be emailed to you.
At the end of each module, you will be required to complete one or two writing exercises. In total, the course includes ten short writing assignments, all of which count towards your final result.
Once a writing assignment has been completed and emailed to your tutor, you will receive an assessment and feedback, and the module will be considered complete.
Absolutely. You have direct communication with your tutor for the duration of the course. The more questions you ask, the more you will get out of the course.
You will get lifetime access to the course. You will also benefit from future updates and improvements to the course.
For the majority of our courses, only your tutor will see your work. It will remain completely private unless you get it published. The journalism courses might see your work published in the public domain, but you do have the final say as to whether or not this happens.
You will receive a Writers College Certificate upon successful completion of the course, provided you meet the following conditions:
- You must have completed all ten assignments.
- The course must have been completed within 12 months of registration.
- A minimum average of 50% for the course must be achieved.
- Basic writing skills are essential.
- Computer skills as well as email and Internet access are required.
- Use of Microsoft Word and the Track Changes function.
- No previous tertiary qualification required.
Because you will work with an individual tutor, you can start your course as soon as your application has been approved. There are no specific start dates as would be the case with a traditional college.
An application is usually approved within one working day. Once we receive proof of payment, your can start your course.
You could be starting your course today!
- Reading Time: 10 hours
- Writing Time: 30–40 hours
- Research Time: 2–5 hours
Once your application has been approved, you will receive notification of approval and an invoice via email. As soon as we receive proof of payment, the first module as well as your tutor’s email address and your login details will be sent to you. Your tutor will also be in touch to welcome you.
Any work created on our courses is owned by you. We will never make a claim to anything you produce. We follow the rule that copyright subsists with the creator (you).