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Course: Certificate in Professional Scriptwriting

Writing for film, television, video and radio is a highly specialised craft, and Open Colleges' (formerly Cengage Education) Professional Scriptwriting course has been developed to give aspiring scriptwriters the specific skills needed to gain employment in the industry.

Guided by an experienced trainer, you will master the basic skills involved in writing a script, learn techniques for "getting a foot in the door", and identify differences between the Hollywood and Australian systems. You will also learn about documentary writing, adapting scripts from other sources, and the key elements in developing scripts for different genres.

Included materials

DVD
Script template
FAQ booklets x 2

Valued at $25!

Extras

On completion of your course, you'll receive a FREE 12-month Australian News Syndicate media pass valued at $50.

Course Number	92520
Course Fees From	$46.43 per week View our payment options

Delivery mode:	Print or online
Course duration:	Max 18 months
Assessments:	8 written assessments
Qualification:	Open Colleges Certificate
Nationally Recognised	No
Government Funding	No

Career One jobs for:

ID	Subject expand all

	Introduction to scriptwriting Crafting your script Lucrative, imaginative realms of films and TV The nature of movie-making Spotlight on Australia Aussie writers can look to the future The screenplay Script collaboration: pros and cons The adaptation rules "Would you like to help me write Mad Max?" The 9 stages of writing a screenplay Big bucks from movie tie-ins Style and format: why you must get it right! Coming attractions
	How to develop a screenplay Getting it down right: format, style and short cuts to success Basic steps of mastering the screenplay The story behind the Brothers script Wearing 3 hats: as producer, director and writer Script page samples: Australian and American A gross and grisly serve for $US4 million screenplay writer Screenplay lottery: if you win, what do you do for an encore
	The professional script: your first steps Getting your foot in the door Essential Hollywood Genres and origins Fly (or title) page layout The rainbow connection Mail box: your word Target the family and kids, and don’t forget the animals Romance: who can fill this void in Australian cinema? Those tabloid headlines and public domain megabucks Settling the James Clavell argument Script pages in colour
	The real thing: it's time to write your own screenplay! Beginning your script How to give your idea the treatment Hollywood essentials The big picture Character summaries The "characterisation" procedure in Hollywood How to change your thriller to entice Tom Cruise Brothers: defining the main characters Script covers: one for Oz, one for the U.S. One success story after another John Grisham: what’s the lowdown on his new book?
	Agents: "Call my agent!" The reckoning: is your best script in? Where to find Hollywood agents Wanted: an agent to handle the flak Left off the world premiere list The golden rule: don’t submit unfinished work Call my agent! Where the Australian agents are Writing for stunts, SPFX The art of writing telephone conversations Widening use of split-screen technique
	The wonderful world of documentaries Hollywood essentials Welcome to the wide, wacky, wonderful world of "the doco" The documentary as propaganda New breed of filmmakers hit the front Ask the Leyland brothers "Documentary-ising" the 60s to the present How to do a doco: by those who have Dick’s flight into doco history Getting your feet wet as a documentary scriptwriter Finding documentary ideas How to sell a documentary script Your most important contact list Getting your work on television Be competitive in the marketplace Radio documentaries ABC features SBS radio
	Breaking scenes and dividing dialogue Screen direction cuts Inserts: putting them in place More terminology Analysing your screenplay Financing your script Funding from around the country Subsidising low budgets Funding help: where to go Federal film funding bodies State film funding bodies
	Screenplays today: industry feedback Make 'em laugh Top producers tell us how it is! Following the footprints to screenplay success What Australia’s top scriptwriters say about working methods Writer's habits of success Scriptwriting software: boon or barrier? Your script: what happens to it when it leaves you? How to protect your work A sample movie budget Industry feedback When established writers can ask for more... and get it!

Entry requirements

Minimum education

Open entry. Previous schooling and academic achievements are not required for entry into this course.

Minimum age

Minimum age of 16 years. If you are under 18 your application must be signed by a parent or guardian.

Computer requirements

Students will need access to a computer and the internet. For students who do not have access to either a computer or the internet please contact a student support officer to discuss alternative methods of communication.

Minimum specifications for the computer are:

Microsoft Office 2003 or equivalent, and
Microsoft Windows 98, or
Mac OS X, and
CD-ROM drive.

Students will also need access to a printer and the following applications:

Adobe Acrobat Reader and
Macromedia Flash player.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language and you did not complete the last two years of secondary education in English, you are required to provide evidence of English language competency before enrolling into the course. Examples of appropriate evidence are listed below:

Evidence	Example
IELTS	Overall score of 5.5
TOEFL	530 (paper), 197 (computer) or 71 (internet)
12 months in English-speaking employment	Testimonial, statutory declaration

Additional requirements

There are no additional requirements for this course.

Upon completion of this course, you will have developed a better understanding of the subject area and be ale to put your new skills into practice.

Harvey Shore

Harvey Shore is a graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, with post-graduate studies in public relations, journalism, television and educational psychology from Queensland University and Macquarie University. He has an extensive background in film, television, video and radio scriptwriting and production and in international public relations.

His work has won 5 Logie Awards, 2 AFI Awards, 2 International Broadcasting (Nagoya) Awards, a 'TV Star' Award, and the gold award for first prize at the Asian Broadcasting Festival, among other accolades.

In addition to his scriptwriting and PR experience, Harvey has also published 2 books and written for numerous newspapers and magazines. He currently writes a regular column for Encore magazine, and is the media/PR officer for the Australian Coast Guard's Queensland Flotilla 2.

No Jobs found for this Course.

Available payment options

Pay Just $46.43 per week with a $100.00 deposit

Pay in full $1,120.00 and save $280.00

Fortnightly and monthly payment plans are also available through EduPay. Click Enrol Now and choose a payment plan or call a Course and Careers advisor on 1300 853 033 for more details. (Prices shown are for the online study option only. A surcharge is applicable for the print study option).

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Course: Certificate in Professional Scriptwriting

Included materials

Extras

ID

Subject

Entry requirements

Minimum education

Minimum age

Computer requirements

English language requirements

Evidence

Example

Additional requirements

Harvey Shore

Available payment options

Take the next step

Student Testimonials

Recognition of Prior Learning

Student Support

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