Probably the greatest block to writing your screenplay is procrastination. That’s why I developed a 5 evening screenwriting class based on my own love of procrastination!
Whether you’re starting out or looking to refine and hone your skills, an evening screenwriting class might get you writing.
Advantages of a evening screenwriting class
Your writing dreams will come true if you commit a block of time each week. After five weeks you will build a habit of weekly creative endeavour.
Here are the benefits of the Screenwriters Foundation Certificate:
Structured Learning
Fundamentals: A focused class can rapidly introduce you to essential screenwriting techniques such as the three-act structure, character arcs, social stage and plot development. Learning these concepts in a structured format helps ensure you cover all necessary bases without getting sidetracked. My approach is to show you the different techniques. I encourage you to find the technique that best suits you and your story.
Specific Skill Development: Courses often focus on particular aspects of writing, such as crafting compelling dialogue or building suspense. This targeted learning can help sharpen specific skills more effectively than general study.
Feedback and Guidance
Instructor Expertise: Raindance instructors have vast industry experience and a deep understanding of the craft. Their insights can help you avoid common pitfalls and accelerate your learning curve. I’m not going to pretend that I have all the answers. But writing and teaching myself since the early 90’s have given me a great deal of hands-on experience;
Peer Reviews: Hearing critiques and suggestions from classmates can expose you to new ideas and writing styles. It also helps you learn to accept feedback graciously and use it constructively.
Networking
Collaborations: You might meet a writing partner or form a group that continues to meet and write together long after the class ends.
Industry Contacts: Sometimes instructors can serve as a bridge to the professional world, providing tips on how to navigate the industry or even introductions to agents and publishers.
Motivation and Discipline
Routine: Regular class meetings add a layer of accountability that can compel you to write consistently.
Deadlines: Having to submit work by a certain date ensures you progress in your writing without procrastination.
Exposure to Different Perspectives
Cultural and Personal Insights: Classmates from diverse backgrounds can provide different perspectives on narrative, character motivations, and storytelling approaches.
Critique Sessions: These sessions can significantly deepen your understanding as you analyse and discuss each other’s work, learning what works in a script and what doesn’t.
Completion of a Project
Project-Based Learning: Many screenwriting courses are designed around the creation of a short screenplay or a specific number of scenes. This gives you a clear goal and a complete piece to show at the end. On the Raindance Screenwriting Certificate I will encourage you to get your story out, whether long or short form, prose or screenplay.
Portfolio Piece: Completing a screenplay in a class provides you with a piece of work that can be used as a sample if you wish to apply for more advanced workshops, courses, or even jobs related to writing.
These elements combined can make even a brief course highly valuable. The immersive experience sharpens your skills, builds your confidence, and possibly begins to establish your identity as a screenwriter.
Ways Raindance Can Help Your Writing
A taster evening; 99 Minute Film School – a single evening explaining how the film industry works.
A taster One Day Masterclass: Saturday Film School – discover the ins-and-outs of writing, directing and producing a film in an information packed and entertaining day
The Raindance 2 year Higher National Degree: a student’s entry point to Higher Education
Study filmmaking or acting over 2 years at one of our 3 international campuses! This is a full-time University level course. Through Raindance, students will have the opportunity to attend renowned courses delivered by industry professionals and attend our networking events to develop further opportunities.
The Raindance BA in Filmmaking or Performance: The Raindance Film School Top-Up BA (Hons) in Film and Performing Arts Practices is a one year practical course. It’s been designed to provide aspiring, and existing, Film and Performing Arts practitioners the opportunity to develop their existing academic or professional experience up to BA level in a chosen pathway or pathways (producing, directing, screenwriting or acting).
The Raindance MA: Study your MA in Filmmaking or Screenwriting at Raindance Film School (accredited by De Montfort University). They are 21st-century degrees for filmmakers, entrepreneurs, creatives and future academics wishing to upskill or transition into the film and digital media industry. These programs provide a unique opportunity for you to benefit from the experience of Industry Experts across the world, whilst developing your personal professional practice, as well as your research and independent study skills.
Photo Credit: Bertie Watson
I founded Raindance Film Festival in 1993 because the British film industry was closed, polite, and congratulating itself while shutting new filmmakers out.
I co-founded the British Independent Film Awards in 1998 because British indie film deserved more than a shrug, a pat on the head, and a Tuesday night screening.
Raindance didn’t start as a brand. It started as a rebellion: film training without gatekeepers, a festival without permission, and a community built by filmmakers who weren’t waiting to be invited in.
Later, we took it global: Toronto, Vancouver, New York, LA, Berlin, and Brussels, because independent film doesn’t belong to one city, one class, or one accent.
I’ve produced 700+ short films and seven features, including Deadly Virtues (2014) and ALICE, which won the SXSW Grand Jury Prize (2019) not because someone “discovered” us, but because the work earned its place.
I’ve written three books used by filmmakers worldwide because too many courses taught compliance instead of survival.
In 2009, I was awarded a PhD for services to film education, ironic, given that most of my career has been about tearing down the rules that education insisted you follow.
I don’t believe in waiting for permission.I believe in making work, building systems, and forcing the industry to catch up.
Specialties: Independent Film (the real kind) · Producing · Writing · Film Education · Festivals · Breaking Broken Systems
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