What is script writing?

Script writing is the act of writing a script or screenplay—the language and blueprint for film, television, show, video game, or any other audio-visual media. Screenplays can be fiction or nonfiction as well as original or based on a novel, play, or story. But unlike a novel, the script must enable the actors who read it to show the story to the audience rather than tell it. Most scripts do this through a mix of behavioral directions and dialogue.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in script writing?

If you enjoy telling stories, have a good imagination, and have always wanted to see your stories performed on TV or film, you're a good candidate for a career in script writing. However, if you'd like to make money at it, you'll need some patience, self-motivation, and perseverance. Selling scripts to producers and production companies is a competitive business. You'll typically work as a freelancer, and it could take years for you to find success. Other skills you'll need are creative writing, an understanding of filmmaking, and an understanding of the language of scripts.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn script writing?

Taking online courses on Coursera can help you learn the basics of script writing or help you understand some of its elements. You can also take general creative writing courses. A course about writing a screenplay for film or television can help you learn how to write a feature-length script.

What are typical careers that use script writing?

If you study script writing, you more than likely want to become a script writer for a particular audio-visual medium, but there are other ways to use your skills and knowledge. You may go on to work in advertising, marketing, or copywriting. You can become a film or media critic. You can even dive further into the film industry by trying your hand at acting, talent management, or directing. You may also find that you simply like the act of writing so much that you want to become a novelist.

What are the benefits of taking an online Script Writing course?

Online Script Writing courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Script Writing skills. Choose from a wide range of Script Writing courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Script Writing courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Script Writing, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Script Writing Courses - Learn Script Writing Online

Explore the Script Writing Course Catalog

Lund University
Writing in English at University
Skills you'll gain: Editing, Proofreading, Writing, Grammar, English Language, Literacy, Vocabulary
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
798 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
California Institute of the Arts
Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop
Skills you'll gain: Editing, Writing, Peer Review, Creativity
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Data Warehouse Engineer
Skills you'll gain: Data Warehousing, SQL, Extract, Transform, Load, Apache Airflow, Linux Commands, Database Design, IBM Cognos Analytics, MySQL, Data Pipelines, Apache Kafka, Database Management, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Database Architecture and Administration, Data Store, IBM DB2, Relational Databases, Dashboard, File Management, Star Schema
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6.1K reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
BI Foundations with SQL, ETL and Data Warehousing
Skills you'll gain: Data Warehousing, Extract, Transform, Load, Apache Airflow, Linux Commands, SQL, IBM Cognos Analytics, Data Pipelines, Apache Kafka, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Dashboard, File Management, Star Schema, Unix Shell, IBM DB2, Business Intelligence, Interactive Data Visualization, Relational Databases, Stored Procedure, Databases
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
24K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Applied Software Engineering Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Software Development Life Cycle, Software Architecture, Linux Commands, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Git (Version Control System), GitHub, Flask (Web Framework), Software Design, Unit Testing, Version Control, File Management, Jupyter, Scrum (Software Development), Application Development, Application Deployment, Python Programming, Data Structures, Collaborative Software, Web Scraping
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
48K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Tools for Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Jupyter, Data Visualization Software, Data Science, GitHub, Big Data, R Programming, Statistical Programming, Application Programming Interface (API), Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, Git (Version Control System), Version Control, Other Programming Languages, Query Languages
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
30K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Duke University
English Composition I
Skills you'll gain: Research, Literacy, Writing, Persuasive Communication, Grammar, Editing, Proofreading, Style Guides
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
High-Impact Business Writing
Skills you'll gain: Business Writing, Business Correspondence, Concision, Editing, Grammar, Proofreading, Business Communication, Report Writing, Global Marketing, Writing, Target Audience, Communication, Virtual Teams, Press Releases, Persuasive Communication, Presentations, Communication Strategies
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
3.9K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
IBM
IBM Relational Database Administrator
Skills you'll gain: Data Warehousing, Extract, Transform, Load, Apache Airflow, Web Scraping, Linux Commands, Database Design, SQL, Database Administration, MySQL, Data Pipelines, Apache Kafka, Database Management, Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Database Architecture and Administration, Data Transformation, Data Store, IBM DB2, Jupyter, Generative AI
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
58K reviews
Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Peking University
论文写作初阶（Academic Writing and Research）
Skills you'll gain: Legal Research, Research, Writing, Research Methodologies, Report Writing, Journals, Editing, Databases
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
47 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Kennesaw State University
Writing Professional Email and Memos (Project-Centered Course)
Skills you'll gain: Peer Review, Grammar, Business Writing, Business Correspondence, Writing, Writing and Editing, Editing, Proofreading, Concision, Taking Meeting Minutes, Professionalism, Business Communication, Report Writing, Administrative Support and Clerical Tasks, Target Audience, Communication, Constructive Feedback
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
450 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado Boulder
Effective Communication: Writing, Design, and Presentation
Skills you'll gain: Business Writing, Presentations, Peer Review, Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Business Correspondence, Public Speaking, Business Communication, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Verbal Communication Skills, Design, Visual Design, Storytelling, Writing, Organizational Skills, Project Design, Concision, Writing and Editing, Proofreading, Drive Engagement
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
12K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months