Writing for stage and screen

Screenwriting & Playwriting Courses Online & in London

Behind every masterpiece, lies a captivating script. Delve into the magical world of screenwriting and playwriting, and learn the vital elements required to create an effective screenplay and script. Develop your writing skills, analyse scripts, and discover what it takes to reach a professional level.  

Plus, you’ll get to grips with the fundamental writing principles, and master the technique of bringing your idea and script to life. You’ll explore everything from developing onstage characters to constructing storylines, too. 

Above all, screenwriting and playwriting is a creative process. At City Lit we help you through every step of the way, from dealing with writer’s block to pushing you to your creative limits. Not only that, but you’ll also be working and engaging with like-minded individuals, who are all in the process of honing their craft. 

Our writing students frequently go on to further study or publication. Read their success stories.

You'll learn from experience tutors that are all published authors and experts in their field. Learn about their recent accomplishments.

Courses available both in-person and online

We offer a range of long and short courses allowing you to choose between in-person and online learning.

Learn in the centre of London with our in-person courses. Our purpose-built facilities in Covent Garden mean we are ideally located and easy to get to. 

See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.

All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, we've got the class for you.

Discover the key elements of dramatic writing for television, cinema and the stage. Explore character and conflict, story and structure, and receive feedback on your work as you progress from first idea to finished script. All our writing courses are taught by practicing writers.

City Lit's writing students frequently go on to further study or publication. Read their success stories.

Our tutors are published authors and experts in their field. Learn about their recent accomplishments.

For the latest news, courses, events and competitions, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.

Many of our courses are delivered online. For more information about our live online courses, please see our guide to online learning.

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  1. Writing the queer play
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 15 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Grant Corr
    Explore the queer play on this course for playwrights. In the workshop you will be given opportunities to construct your own queer characters giving you the tools and confidence to write the stories that you want to tell.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00
  2. How to pitch your screenplay
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 22 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Alan Nixon
    You've worked hard on a screenplay but how do you sell it? This short intensive course identifies tools you can select to create a compelling Pitch Treatment. Please note: this course will have a 2-hr break from 12:30-14:30.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00
  3. Ways into screenwriting: getting started
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 11 Jan 2025 (and 3 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Alan Nixon
    Want to write scripts but don't know how to start? Discover the basics of screenwriting - character, conflict and more - on this short online course that will help you shape your ideas and get your story going.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
  4. Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00
  5. Writing for podcasts
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 27 Jul 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Eleanor Penny
    Podcasts are growing rapidly in popularity, and more and more people are making their own. Find out more about all the different kinds of writing involved in producing a podcast, hone your skills and, with support from your tutor, develop your own ideas for audio.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00
  6. Jump start your play
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 3 Aug 2024 (and 2 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Brian Mullin
    Have you got a script idea but not yet put pen to paper, or a script you started but never finished? This intensive short course will help you inject new energy into your idea – and get started writing. Only suitable for those with playwriting experience.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00
    Rating:
    98% of 100
  7. Writing comedy for TV in the online age
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 3 Aug 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Alan Nixon
    Do you want to find out more about writing comedy? Explore some fundamental aspects of humorous scriptwriting for television, beginning with sketches, and looking at sitcoms from initial idea through to finished script.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00
  8. Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00
    Rating:
    100% of 100
  9. Write your screenplay: from idea to first draft
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 29 Mar 2025

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Clive Ford
    A good screenplay starts with a good story but it also needs structure, good characters and interesting twists. This is a course for writers who have an idea they think is ready to go. We’ll look at the best ways to grab the viewers’ attention from the off, and at the end of the course you’ll get a chance to pitch your ideas.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
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