There is always demand for suitably qualified script writers - for contract work, freelance opportunities and permanent employment roles. Do you have the skills and the knowledge to work in this growing industry...? The predicted future growth of the script writing industry is steady. There is an expected 25-30% growth of this market in the next 5 years.
The content of each of the 11 lessons is as outlined below:
1. Scope and Nature of Script writing
LEARNING AIM: Explain what script writing is and its many applications.
LESSON CONTENT
Introduction - what are scripts?
Where are scripts used?
Writing Scripts - what is the story you want to tell?
One page, one minute rule
Visual, behaviour and aural storytelling
Show and don't tell
Handling time
Formatting script
Abbreviations
2. Plotting the Screen Play
LEARNING AIM: Describe and compare techniques for plotting the story.
LESSON CONTENT
Types of stories
What are the specifications?
Duration of the performance
Developing the story-line
The Story Pyramid
Creating a story board
Techniques for plotting a story
Fiction and creative non-fiction
Non-fiction - Education, Corporate, Presentation Writing
Screen play formatting guide
3. Outline and Writing the Script
LEARNING AIM: Explain how to write the outline of a script and then write the script itself.
LESSON CONTENT
Writing the outline
Cliff hangers in a script
Formatting outlines
How to write the script
4. Characterisation
LEARNING AIM: Explain how to write good characters in your script.
LESSON CONTENT
Writing good characters
Building characters
Character planning
5. Use of Dialogue and Sound Effects
LEARNING AIM: Explain the use of dialogue and sound effects in script writing.
LESSON CONTENT
Dialogue in script writing
Writing dialogue
Dialogue tags
Tips on writing dialogue
Examples of dialogue
6. Writing for Internet, TV and Film
LEARNING AIM: Explain how to write for the internet, TV and film.
LESSON CONTENT
Time frame
Fiction or non-fiction
Pace
Sound effects
Visuals
Writing for TV
Writing for film/screenwriting
Writing for websites
7. Writing for Radio
LEARNING AIM: Explain how to write for radio.
LESSON CONTENT
Introduction
Components
Voice
Music
Sound Effects
Other points to consider when writing for radio
8. Writing for Training/Instructional Videos
LEARNING AIM: Develop scripts for use in educational programs.
LESSON CONTENT
One person script
Two person script
Multiple persons script
Visuals in training presentations
9. Writing for Children
LEARNING AIM: Develop scripts for an audience of children.
LESSON CONTENT
Introduction
Fiction and non-fiction hybrids
Children's cognitive development
Implications for the writer
Socialisation
Gender, roles and stereotyping
10. Writing for Advertising
LEARNING AIM: Develop scripts for an audience of children.
LESSON CONTENT
Writing for advertising
What is the purpose of advertising?
Writing and analysing adverts
Summary skills
Tips for summarising
Writing for infomercials
11. The Business of Script Writing
LEARNING AIM: Develop an understanding of the business of script writing.
LESSON CONTENT
Commerical Opportunities
Start your own production business
Ethical and legal considerations
The law
Duration: 100 hours