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

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Explore the Script Writing Course Catalog

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
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
Wesleyan University
Creative Writing: The Craft of Character
Skills you'll gain: Storytelling, Content Creation, Writing and Editing, Writing, Creativity
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
University of Colorado System
Scientific Writing for Research Grant Proposals
Skills you'll gain: Concision, Writing, Editing, Literacy, Communication, Organizational Skills
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
12 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Yale University
Understanding Medical Research: Your Facebook Friend is Wrong
Skills you'll gain: Probability & Statistics, Research Design, Medical Science and Research, Statistics, Data Literacy, Statistical Analysis, Scientific Methods, Clinical Research
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
2.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
Advanced Writing
Skills you'll gain: Writing, Grammar, Editing, Proofreading, Peer Review
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.9K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Georgia Institute of Technology
Write Professional Emails in English
Skills you'll gain: Business Writing, Business Correspondence, Business Communication, Writing, Writing and Editing, Grammar, Proofreading, Editing, Communication, Cultural Diversity, Language Competency, Cultural Sensitivity, Intercultural Competence
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
17K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Yonsei University
First Step Korean
Skills you'll gain: Language Competency, Grammar, Vocabulary, Literacy, Culture
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
53K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Meta React
Skills you'll gain: Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), React.js, Mobile Development, Web Applications, Event-Driven Programming, JavaScript Frameworks, Application Development, API Design, UI Components, Unit Testing, TypeScript, Javascript, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Integration Testing, Development Environment, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.4K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
HTML, CSS, and Javascript for Web Developers
Skills you'll gain: HTML and CSS, Javascript, Responsive Web Design, Ajax, Front-End Web Development, Web Design, Web Applications, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Browser Compatibility, Web Development, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Usability, Cross Platform Development
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
17K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Meta
Meta Web Development Fundamentals
Skills you'll gain: Django (Web Framework), Responsive Web Design, HTML and CSS, Relational Databases, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Database Management Systems, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), SQL, Database Design, Databases, Front-End Web Development, Unit Testing, MySQL, Debugging, User Interface (UI), Web Development, Web Servers, Test Driven Development (TDD), Web Applications, Programming Principles
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
16K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Generative AI for Java and Spring Developers
Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, ChatGPT, Large Language Modeling, Restful API, Spring Framework, Data Ethics, Natural Language Processing, OpenAI, Application Deployment, Artificial Intelligence, Software Development Tools, Software Testing, Test Automation, Software Development, DevSecOps, Application Security, CI/CD, Application Programming Interface (API), Java
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6.8K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months