Screenwriting: From Outline to First Draft of Your Screenplay

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).

This is a self-paced course. Self-paced courses allow you to watch pre-recorded lectures at your own pace, while working on deadlines to get individualized feedback on your work.

What you bring to the course:

• an outline or treatment for the feature-length screenplay you plan to work on in this course OR a completed first draft of your feature-length screenplay.

We recommend that you complete Sundance Collab’s Screenwriting: Core Elements prior to taking this course.

What you will get from the course:

• developed characters, their dramatic conflicts and emotional needs, and worthy antagonists.
• a sharpened understanding of screenplay structure, worldbuilding, theme, tone, conflict and dialogue.
• the key dramatic question in your script.
• established rules of your fictional world.
• ways to build and sustain tension in your screenplay.
• how to process notes from your advisor.

This course will:

• highlight successful screenplays in a variety of genres, illustrating how they move from script to screen
• use short video lectures and assignments will guide you as you transform your outline into a fleshed-out screenplay.
• connect you with other writers via discussion board where you may discuss core concepts and share your writing as you work to complete your first draft.
• provide written feedback from a Sundance Advisor at three points during the course.

You will submit your work to a Sundance Advisor for written feedback at three points throughout the 15-week course. For an additional fee, you may elect to meet once with your advisor for a 60-minute one-on-one session during the course term.

A limited number of need-based scholarships are available and are considered on a rolling basis as they are received. Those who apply earlier will have a greater chance of getting support. To apply for a scholarship, please complete the registration form and follow the instructions on the left side to fill out a scholarship application.

Sundance Collab provides accommodations and support services to participants with disabilities. Accommodations and services are designed to meet the needs of each participant. Please email us at accessibility@sundance.org to arrange for services.