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.
- Joke writingCourse start date: Sat 11 Mar 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Kate SmurthwaiteUncover the workings of the classic one-liner, practise joke writing and find out what makes a good joke. Learn how to refine and develop your own writing skills for stand up, comedy writing and pleasure.
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 - Write your screenplay: from idea to first draftCourse start date: Sat 25 Mar 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Clive FordA 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 £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - Television screenwriting: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 1 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jim HillDo you want to write for an ongoing TV drama or pitch your own idea for a television series? Start your screenwriting journey on this practical short course. Examine the structure of an episodic TV drama, and explore approaches to the genre in a fun, supportive environment.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - Ways into playwriting: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 8 Apr 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nicole AcquahExplore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this introductory online course. Get to grips with dialogue, character, story and structure, and start work on your own play.
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 - Ways into playwritingCourse start date: Thu 19 Jan 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Dawn KingExplore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this introductory course. Get to grips with dialogue, character, story and structure, and start work on your own play.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Ways into screenwritingCourse start date: Wed 11 Jan 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Alan NixonLearn to write for the screen on this practical, introductory course. Writing exercises, presentations and screenings will teach you key skills, and you’ll begin to produce work and an outline for a full-length project.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Developing your screenwritingCourse start date: Tue 18 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Jilly GardinerContinue your screenwriting journey in this practical intermediate course. Writing exercises, presentations and screenings will teach you key skills, and you’ll begin to produce work and an outline for a full-length project.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Television screenwritingCourse start date: Tue 18 Apr 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Jim HillDo you want to write a script for television? What do you write and where do you start? Through exercises and examples, this course will assist you in developing your own projects.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Reading for writers: great plays (a fortnightly course)Course start date: Wed 19 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Brian MullinImitation is more than just a form of flattery - it's a tool to discover your own writing craft! Delve into a series of famous playscripts to understand their mechanics and their unique approaches. Then apply your insights to your own writing through in-class exercises.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Developing your playwritingCourse start date: Tue 17 Jan 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Dawn KingContinue to explore the key elements of dramatic writing, and benefit from supportive and detailed feedback on your own work. New students with some playwriting experience are welcome to join.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Writing comedy for TV in the online ageCourse start date: Sat 6 May 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonWith the advent of streaming services, the opportunities to develop narrative comedy are multitude. Learn how to write narrative comedy for TV, how to identify your outlets, and how to modify your projects accordingly on this intensive short course.
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 - Writing a short filmCourse start date: Sun 7 May 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sharmila ChauhanWould you like to write a script for a short film? This short course offers an insight into the fundamentals of screenwriting through tutor input, writing exercises, group work and discussion.
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 - Writing the queer playCourse start date: Sat 10 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Grant CorrExplore the queer play on this short 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 £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £50.00 - How to pitch your screenplayCourse start date: Sat 24 Jun 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonYou'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 - Writing the personal: autobiographical theatreCourse start date: Thu 6 Jul 2023
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Brian MullinLearn how to select and shape your own life experiences into a dynamic text for live performance on this supportive online course. Suitable for those with some experience of creative writing.
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
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