Screenwriting Classes

Screenwriting COURSES

Looking For A Screenwriting Course?

The most important part of taking a screenwriting course is understanding the perspective the instructor brings to the table. Every teacher draws from their own experience, whether that comes from professional work in the industry, academic study, or a combination of both.

There are excellent books on screenwriting, including Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat, which has become a popular and accessible entry point for writers. That said, it’s worth being cautious about classes that rely solely on Snyder’s material as their primary teaching tool. If a course is built entirely around a single book, you may be better off reading that book directly and applying the concepts on your own.

The Magnificent 7–24 Method takes a different approach. Rather than focusing on a collection of beats like you’ll find in Snyder’s book, it provides a structural blueprint designed to guide a writer from concept to completed screenplay.

It’s built from both professional experience and years in the classroom, with an emphasis on clarity, execution, and real-world application.

Ultimately, the best course for you depends on what you’re looking to achieve. Understanding the background of your instructor and the approach they teach will help you choose the path that aligns with your goals.

Screenwriting Courses I Teach AT COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS

In 2002, worried about an impending WGA strike, I started teaching screenwriting at College of the Canyons as a side hustle. It didn’t stay a side hustle for long. The classroom had an energy Hollywood couldn’t match, and before long, I was more excited about meeting with my students than any studio executive. I’ve continued to write professionally by day and teach in the evenings.

Over time, I’ve developed multiple screenwriting courses for both beginners and experienced writers, all built around one goal: helping you create a marketable, professional screenplay that reads like it belongs in the industry.

I teach screenwriting as both a craft and a business because that’s the reality of the industry. You’re not just telling a story; you’re creating a product designed to succeed in a competitive marketplace. If the project works commercially, everyone wins. But that doesn’t mean sacrificing the art. The goal is to align your creative and professional instincts so you’re not just writing scripts, but building a sustainable career.

The following list is the current screenwriting courses I teach at College of the Canyons.

Intro To Screenwriting - MEA 108

This class is taught via prerecorded lectures on a variety of screenwriting topics, presented as episodes. The lectures can be paused and restarted at your convenience and even downloaded. Students move at a metered pace so they can view all the materials with plenty of time to understand the concepts.

The lectures are presented like small TED Talks, with numerous visual aids, as well as film clips and examples. Each lecture is designed to be both entertaining and enlightening.

Notes for each lecture are available on the Canvas page, so all you need to do is watch the lectures, download the notes, and complete the prompts and assignments so we can assess your progress.

Despite this being an online class, I am available for office hours via Zoom, phone, or email to answer questions.

You can take classes at schools that cost far more than COC and receive far less. If you think you have the next big movie idea, or even a small independent film, this class is where it starts.

What to Expect in This Course

The writing in this class is strictly related to screenwriting. No busywork, no essays, just screenplays and materials related to screenwriting.

Movies and screenwriting are both pleasurable experiences, and you can expect that and more in this class. Think of this class as a journey that takes you to the gates of Hollywood and offers glimpses of what is possible once you find your way inside.

Depending on the semester, we offer an 8-week or a 16-week version of the class. Both cover the exact same material, just taught at a different pace.

Advanced Screenwriting MEA 208

Advanced Screenwriting (MEA 208)

This is a live online class, which means we meet weekly in a Zoom classroom every Wednesday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

You get the flexibility of learning from home, combined with the structure, accountability, and interaction of a real classroom experience.

The course is designed with the adult learner in mind. It’s streamlined, practical, and focused on results.

While the class is labeled “Advanced,” motivated beginners are absolutely welcome. Students new to screenwriting are quickly brought up to speed and integrated into the process without falling behind. The primary goal of this course is simple:

Each student completes a strong first draft of an original feature screenplay.

What You’ll Learn

Story Structure & Narrative Techniques
A deeper dive into three-act structure, along with non-linear storytelling, episodic formats, and anthology-style narratives. Emphasis is placed on building stories that are both compelling and marketable.

Character Development & Arc
Creating layered, believable characters with clear motivations and flaws. Focus on building arcs that actively drive the story, along with understanding the dynamic between protagonist and antagonist.

Dialogue Mastery
Writing dialogue that sounds natural, reveals character, and carries subtext. Students learn how to tighten and refine dialogue for clarity, rhythm, and impact.

Genre Writing
Understanding genre expectations and how to meet them while still bringing originality to the page. Exploration of hybrid genres and emerging storytelling spaces.

Pacing
Controlling the rhythm of a screenplay. Balancing exposition, action, and character moments while maintaining audience engagement from beginning to end.

Visual Storytelling & Scene Construction
Writing cinematic scenes that communicate visually. Emphasis on strong openings, effective scene progression, and memorable climaxes.

World-Building
Developing immersive settings that enhance the story. Whether grounded or fantastical, students learn how to make the world feel alive without overloading exposition.

Rewriting & Polishing
Approaches to rewriting that focus on clarity, structure, and efficiency. Students learn how to identify weaknesses and elevate their work through targeted revisions.

The Business of Screenwriting

How the industry actually works. Crafting loglines, pitching ideas, and understanding the roles of agents, managers, and studios.

Emerging Trends
Writing for today’s landscape, including streaming platforms, serialized storytelling, and evolving formats across media.

This class is built for writers who are serious about improving their craft and finishing a screenplay. By the end of the course,you won’t just understand screenwriting, you’ll have done it.

Cost to Attend College of the Canyons

CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS

For California residents, a 3-unit class at College of the Canyons typically costs about $138 in tuition, with total costs usually ranging between $160 to $180 after standard fees.

NON CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS

For non-California residents, a 3-unit class at College of the Canyons typically costs about $975–$1,000 in tuition, with total costs slightly higher after standard fees.

NON CREDIT TUTION WAIVER (FREE)

Each semester, we offer limited slots that are free of charge, but do not provide course credit. If you are taking this class purely for the fun of learning, this is an incredible value, as the cost is zero.