Resources for Beginning Screenwriters

Screenwriting can be a fun and demanding field of work. A challenging part of becoming a screenwriter is to learn the craft of screenwriting. Classes and books that teach screenwriting can be very costly. However, there are some great websites that teach the craft of screenwriting for free.

Lifewriting

http://www.lifewrite.com/html/class.htm

This screenwriting class is authored by Steven Barnes, an instructor at UCLA Creative Writing Program. This is the same writing class he teaches at UCLA. The class is separated into nine modules. It takes one week to complete each module. Each module has a theme and a writing assignment to match the theme presented. This website is perfect for beginning screenwriters or individuals who want to take a creative writing course.

The Basics of Screenwriting

http://www.fathom.com/course/21701762/index.html

This seminar was written by Amy Dunkleberger. The seminars are separated into five sessions: the premise, character development, screenplay structure and visual storytelling, setting the screen, and formatting your masterpiece. The sessions include clips from real films to demonstrate the theme of the sessions.

Screenplays/Canadian Copywriter

http://www.canadiancopywriter.ca/screenplays.html

This screenwriting website explains the ins and outs of screenwriting. It explains some of the basic elements of screenwriting. It also explains the industry of screenwriting. Topics include how to break into the movies and what to do when things go wrong. This website is perfect for anyone who wants to get a general idea of what screenwriting is like.

Empire Screenwriting Resource

http://www.empirecontact.com/screenwriting/

This screenwriting website explains the basic concepts of how to write a screenplay. There are five modules: concept, character, story, action, and dialogue. Inside these modules are categories related to the module. Each category has information on how it relates to how to write a screenplay. There are also resources and exercises to reinforce the concept being learned.

The Visual Writer, LLC

http://www.visualwriter.com/HowTo/About.htm

This website was written by Dorian Scott Cole. It shows some of the basics of screenwriting, along with suggestions about critiquing and common mistakes writers make. There is also an advanced section once the writer is done with the initial screenwriting section. Cole also includes examples and story ideas to help beginning writers get started.

Screenwriting info: How to write a Screenplay

http://www.screenwriting.info/

This website shows the proper format of how to write a screenplay. Things such as proper dialogue format and title page format are shown. This website presents the technical part of screenwriting.