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Script Writing: TV & Film
Writing Skills

Script Writing: TV & Film

This study guide introduces the craft of writing scripts for television and film. It explains screenplay format, story structure, character arcs, scene construction and visual storytelling, and shows how writing for a feature film differs from writing a pilot or an episode of a series, from the first outline to a polished draft.

Levels
4
Starting from
265 credits
Category
Writing Skills
Choose a level

About this study guide

A script is a blueprint for something that will be seen and heard, so it must tell a story through action and dialogue rather than description alone. This material begins with industry-standard formatting, including scene headings, action lines, character names and transitions, before exploring how to develop an idea into a logline, a treatment and a beat outline.

Further chapters cover three-act and multi-act structure, turning points, subtext, pacing within scenes and the art of writing dialogue that sounds natural when spoken aloud. Television writing receives its own attention, with explanations of episode structure, series arcs and the role of the pilot.

Presented across four levels from Beginner to Expert, the guide helps you read, plan and rewrite your own screen stories with a clearer sense of craft.
Each level is unlocked separately

Choose a level

Compare the levels below and add the one that suits you to your cart

01
Level 1

Beginner

265 credits

What this level includes

  • Covered in this level

    The guide introduces screenplay format, including scene headings, action lines, character names, dialogue and parentheticals. It also covers loglines, the three-act structure, the difference between a feature film and a TV episode, and writing a short scene that shows rather than explains.

  • Suited to

    This level suits anyone who loves films or television and wants to try writing a script for the first time. It is a clear starting point if screenplay pages look confusing and you want to understand how stories are told visually.

  • What you will be able to apply

    You will be able to format script pages correctly, sum up a story idea in a clear logline, outline a simple three-act structure, and write a short scene that relies on action and dialogue rather than description.

02
Level 2

Intermediate

465 credits

What this level includes

  • Covered in this level

    This stage covers building character arcs, writing an outline and treatment, and constructing scenes with clear goals and conflict. It also explores subtext in dialogue, setups and payoffs, pacing across acts, and the structure of a television pilot compared with an episode.

  • Suited to

    Intermediate is for writers who can format a script and now want scenes and characters that hold up. It suits those working on a first short film, feature outline or TV pilot who want their structure to feel purposeful.

  • What you will be able to apply

    After this level you should be able to write a treatment and outline, give each scene a goal and turning point, write dialogue with subtext, and structure a TV pilot or feature so that its acts build logically.

03
Level 3

Advanced

765 credits

What this level includes

  • Covered in this level

    The material examines ensemble and multi-strand structure, main and secondary storylines, series arcs, and visual storytelling through image and sound. It also covers the rewriting process, from structural passes to dialogue polishes, and reading your own draft as a producer or actor might.

  • Suited to

    The Advanced level suits experienced script writers tackling complex stories, ensemble casts or serialised television. It is for those who want to handle multiple storylines and sharpen their scripts through disciplined rewriting.

  • What you will be able to apply

    You will be able to manage several storylines across a feature or series, plan season-long character arcs, tell story through visual choices, and carry out focused rewrites that strengthen structure before refining dialogue.

04
Level 4

Expert

1,065 credits

What this level includes

  • Covered in this level

    This deepest stage explores developing a personal voice on the page, genre conventions and when to subvert them, adaptation from other sources, and tone management. It also covers series bibles, balancing commercial expectations with creative ambition, and final polish at the level of every line.

  • Suited to

    Expert is for dedicated screenwriters seeking a distinctive voice and deeper command of the craft. It suits those who want to make bold creative decisions, adapt material for screen, and polish scripts to a high standard.

  • What you will be able to apply

    You should feel ready to write scripts with a recognisable voice, adapt stories thoughtfully for the screen, make confident choices about genre and tone, and bring a draft to a polished standard through careful, deliberate revision.

Levels are unlocked with credits from your balance. You can add more credits at any time.