Courses

You’ve got a great idea for a TV series and you have fleshed out an outline for your pilot. Now, it’s time to start writing that script that grabs your reader’s attention - whether it’s an agent, an executive, or a showrunner. In this course you will move from outline to completing a draft of your original pilot (under 60 pages).

You have an interest in directing fiction films, but now you want an expert in the field to help guide you as you take the next step. In this eight-week self-paced course, you will learn about the directing craft, how to assemble and collaborate with your crew, work with actors, and translate work from script-to-screen. Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to film an assigned scripted scene and get feedback on your work from a Sundance Collab Advisor.

You have an idea for a documentary film, but now you want an expert in the field to help guide you as you take the next step. In this eight-week self-paced course, you will learn how to move from concept through post-production with a documentary film. Along the way, you will develop a compelling proposal for potential funders of your project and get feedback on your work from a Sundance Collab Advisor.

Do you have a short or feature film you plan to produce? In this eight-week self-paced online course, you will learn the fundamental concepts of creative producing for independent fiction films - from development to financing to budgeting and more with an accomplished producer as your guide. Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to create pitch materials to communicate your project’s vision to funders and key collaborators and get feedback on your work from a Sundance Collab Advisor.

Learn the core elements of writing a screenplay for a feature film, with an accomplished screenwriter as your guide. In this self-paced course, you will develop a new script idea into an outline that can be used to write your first draft.

Short films are a great way to showcase your voice, talent, and storytelling skill. In this eight-week self-paced online course, you will learn the fundamentals of screenwriting and develop your original story idea into a short screenplay with accomplished filmmakers as your guides. Designated homework assignments are reviewed by a Sundance Advisor and designed to move you closer to your completed short screenplay (5-15 pages).

Looking for support to polish your script and prepare your pitch? Revise your feature film screenplay with an accomplished screenwriter as your guide. In this live online, nine-week course designed for aspiring and experienced screenwriters, a Sundance Collab Instructor will offer a comprehensive approach to refining your script and preparing to pitch it to industry professionals.

In just eight weeks, an accomplished director will give you the tools to transform a script into a roadmap that takes your vision from ideas to final cut. In this introductory level self-paced course, you'll explore and experiment with how to approach your collaboration with actors from auditions to working on set.

You’ve got a great idea for a movie and fleshed out an outline for your screenplay. Now, it’s time to start writing that script that gets past gatekeepers and grabs your reader’s attention — whether it’s an assistant, an agent, an executive, a financier, or the talent you want on screen. In this course you will move from outline to completing a first draft of your screenplay (90-120 pages).

Create an outline for your episodic TV pilot idea in eight weeks with an accomplished TV writer as your guide. In this introductory level self-paced course, you will take this important first step for your original pilot script and learn a set of tools to help you ask the important questions of every scene and character that will get you past "stuck" when writing future episodes.

If you’ve ever felt lost, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next move, this On Demand course is your roadmap, and by the end, it will equip you with the tools, strategies, and confidence to take charge of your career. No matter where you are in your journey, The Industry: A Crash Course will help you take the next step with clarity and purpose.

The challenge of writing a feature-length screenplay isn’t starting - it’s choosing the right idea and then sustaining dramatic tension for two hours. The story demands a central dramatic problem powerful enough to drive the entire script, and finding the perfect conflict is often the hardest part of the journey. In this On Demand course, veteran screenwriter David Schwab provides the essential process for testing your ideas and building narratives that truly last.

Great filmmaking evolves with technology, and AI is transforming how stories are told, produced, and shared. To stay current in this rapidly changing industry, artists need to understand these new technologies. This On Demand course will equip you with practical knowledge and insights from industry professionals that will help you explore how AI can support your creative vision without compromising your voice.

Are you a filmmaker hoping to get a better understanding of some of the legal and business terms that come up in the filmmaking process? Are you concerned about rights? Or, how to set up your company? In this On Demand course for both fiction and documentary filmmakers, you will learn the basics of intellectual property, contract terms, corporate structure, financing, packaging, distribution, and more. This course is designed to support you with the critical tools needed to navigate the business.

Join us in this On Demand course where we dive into what it means to be a holistic, creative producer, responsible for having a broad view of everything that goes on in the life of a project, creatively and strategically. In this course you will learn about how to approach the development of your project, how and when to form your business, how to create your financing strategy, the producer’s role in production and post-production, and how to navigate film festivals and distribution.

Comedy is arguably an essential part of the human experience. Finding the funny in the mundane, the absurd, and even the most tragic keeps the world from falling into complete despair. Crafting the funny is an art form that few writers have successfully mastered. In this on-demand course, you will learn from accomplished writers about how to find your own comedic voice and will have the opportunity to engage in writing exercises. By the end of the course, you will have a deeper understanding of what comedy is, what tools you have at your disposal, how to find the funny in your own work, and how to break into the comedy writing profession.

Learn the core elements of writing a screenplay for a feature film, with an accomplished screenwriter as your guide. In this live, online course, you will develop a new script idea into an outline that can be used to write your first draft. The eight weeks will cover character development, theme, story arcs and visual storytelling. Sessions include presentation, discussion, and interactive exercises. The course concludes with a one-on-one mentoring session focused on your project.

Transform your creative vision into a festival-ready short film with expert guidance from an experienced director. This comprehensive 8-week live online course takes you through every stage of the filmmaking process, from initial concept development to festival strategy.

In a world where countless scripts compete for attention, developing your unique voice as a screenwriter has never been more vital. This course is designed to help you uncover and amplify what makes your storytelling captivating and distinct. You’ll learn how to identify the stories that best reflect who you are and shape ideas that highlight your individuality. Together, we’ll explore how to craft work that not only stands out but also forges meaningful connections with audiences on a deeper level.

In this four-week online course, you will get an overview of the editing and post-production process from an experienced director/editor who has worked in the fiction and documentary space. Each week, you will have the opportunity to learn from guest speakers and ask them questions. By the end of the course, you will learn how to find a great editor, how to effectively communicate with them, and how to collaborate with other members of the post-production team.

You have an idea for a killer horror screenplay, but now you want an expert in the genre to help you get to the next level of writing. In this four-week online course, you will study the art of the thrill and how to develop memorable characters, build tension and make a horror story your own.

In this intermediate four-week online course, you will build on your understanding of the language of visual storytelling and how to effectively communicate your ideas with your collaborators.

In this introductory four-week online course, you will learn the basics of feature film scheduling and budgeting, location scouting, hiring a casting director and making offers to talent. Creators at any level of experience are welcome to join.