Screenwriting: Finding Your Voice

Entry requirements

We’re looking for people who are passionate about screen stories and eager to pursue or further develop a career in screenwriting. You should have a good general education, but no other specific educational requirements are needed for this course. Previous experience of writing screenplays, or knowledge gained from a university or college media course, would be advantageous, but not essential.

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

How can you as a screenwriter put yourself ahead of the game and grab an audience’s attention? Is it a coincidence that successful screenwriters often return to the same themes and write different versions of the same core story over again? Could it be that the key to their success is that they are writing from a place of unique emotional truth and it’s this that really connects with audiences the world over? We take a radical approach to screenwriting, in which the writers themselves become the focus of the process. We’ll teach you everything you need to know, in this 6 month Certificate Course, delivered across the UK and online.

An individual ‘voice’ is the currency of the writer – it’s what shapes our work, makes it distinctive, and most importantly, what makes it sell. To make your mark in this demanding and overcrowded industry you need to develop stories that only you can write.

In this highly competitive world of writing for film and television, the screenwriter can’t merely learn the principles, art and craft of screenwriting to ensure success. A ‘good story well told’ is simply not enough.

Over the course of 6 months, in weekly face-to-face sessions and fortnightly 1-2-1 tutorials on Zoom/Skype, you will be helped to discover their own individual voice, and mine your own life, experiences, dreams and obsessions to find stories that resonate personally.

What You Will Study

Participants in this course will adopt a variety of methods to put these new-found home truths into working practice. Over the course you will discover and hone your voice, develop market-ready treatments and a full-length screenplay for a feature film or pilot for a TV series and learn some of the skills needed to pitch yourself and your work to Industry professionals.

The goal, on successful completion of the course, is to have a number of projects at various stages of development that are ready to be presented to the Industry.

You will develop a number of stories from concept through to treatment or bible and beyond, via a combination of discussions, exercises and development workshops. You’ll be expected to write in your own time and deliver work in advance of each class. In addition, you will be supported by one-to-one tutorials on alternate weeks for individual feedback and guidance. A group forum and online support will be available via an online platform.

Successful completion could lead to an interview for those interested in applying to the two-year Screenwriting MA at the NFTS.

Information for international students

This course is open to UK applicants and EU/EEA Nationals with UK pre-settled/settled status (subject to meeting residency requirements) and applicants who are currently in the UK on a valid visa for the full duration of the course.

Fees and funding

Please visit our website for fees information. All production costs are included in the course fees, including the use of School facilities and equipment.