Writing for Film
& Television

Learn the Craft of Screenwriting from Industry Pros

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Program Duration
6 months


Program Delivery
Online

Bring Your Stories to Life on Screen

Break into the world of film and television with the skills to write compelling, industry-ready scripts. This six-month intensive program is designed to help you develop strong storytelling abilities, master screenplay format, and build a professional portfolio that showcases your voice as a writer.

You’ll learn how to craft engaging stories for television, feature films, documentaries, and short-form content. Get the industry insight needed to pitch and promote your work.

The program is predominantly asynchronous, but will have a synchronous component each week that will involve a live meeting with their instructor for review and project feedback.

Here’s How Our Writing for Film & Television Program Prepares You for a Career:

Learn the Fundamentals of Screenwriting
Build a strong foundation in story structure, character development, dialogue, and professional screenplay formatting used across the industry.

Write for Multiple Formats
Develop scripts for television, feature films, documentaries, and short-form content—so you graduate with versatile, in-demand skills.

Master Visual Storytelling
Learn how to write for a visual medium, using pacing, structure, and cinematic techniques to engage audiences.

Understand Film & Storytelling History
Explore how film has evolved over time—and use that knowledge to strengthen your own writing.

Build a Professional Portfolio
Graduate with original scripts that demonstrate your abilities and help you stand out to employers or collaborators.

Learn the Business Side of Writing
Discover how to pitch your ideas, market your work, and navigate the film and television industry with confidence.

Launch Your Career in Film & Television Writing

Where Stories Come to Life

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01

Industry Connections

Entertainment industry professionals as your Instructors and mentors.

02

Write From Day One

Build scripts for TV, film, and documentary through hands-on assignments.

03

A Focus on You

With small class sizes, you’ll get the personalized support and feedback you need to succeed.

04

Professional Portfolio

Graduate with original scripts, polished samples, and the confidence to pitch your ideas.

Build Your Screenwriting Skills for Film & Television

Introduction to Screenwriting
This course introduces the fundamentals of screenwriting, including story structure, character development, dialogue, and formatting. Through script analysis and writing exercises, students learn to develop ideas into structured screenplays, culminating in a completed short script.
Visual Storytelling
Introduces visual storytelling in film, focusing on how elements like composition, lighting, and camera movement enhance narrative, character, and theme. Students apply cinematic techniques through analysis and exercises to create visually engaging scenes.
Writing for Television (1 & 2)

Writing for Television (1)
This course teaches the basics of writing for television, including episodic structure, character development, and genre formats. Students analyze scripts and develop their own series concept. By the end, they produce a series bible, character bios, episode outline, and a pilot script.

Writing for Television (2)
Builds on foundational TV writing skills, focusing on multi-episode storytelling, pacing, and revision. Students complete a polished pilot script and develop pitching skills aligned with industry standards.

Writing for Documentary (1 & 2)

Writing for Documentary (1)
Introduces documentary screenwriting, covering styles, research, and ethical storytelling. Students develop a concept, treatment, and narrative outline to shape real-world stories into compelling scripts.

Writing for Documentary (2)
This course advances documentary writing skills by focusing on refining a full-length script using interviews, archival material, narration, and visual storytelling. Students develop structure, character, and theme through feedback and revision, finishing with a production-ready documentary script.

Writing for Feature Film (1 & 2)

Writing for Feature Film (1)
Introduces feature-length screenwriting, focusing on structure, character, and theme. Students develop an original concept, treatment, and first act of a screenplay.

Writing for Feature Film (2)
This course builds on Feature Film Writing (1) to help students complete a full-length screenplay, focusing on structure, pacing, character, and dialogue in the second and third acts. Through revision and feedback, students finish a polished feature script ready for industry submission.

History of Film
Explores the history of cinema, examining key movements, filmmakers, and innovations that shaped storytelling and visual style. Students gain an understanding of film’s evolution and cultural impact.
Business of Screenwriting
This course teaches students how to market themselves as professional screenwriters, including pitching scripts, writing query letters, loglines, and pitch decks. It also covers networking, industry expectations, festivals, and competitions. Students finish with a personalized marketing plan for their screenwriting career.
Screenwriting Lab
This weekly lab offers guided script feedback and discussion with a program lead, helping students improve storytelling through collaboration, critique, and mentorship.

Course Descriptions

Quarter Descriptions

Here’s How You’ll Build Your Acting For Film & Television Skills

Q1
The first quarter of the program offers a solid foundation in acting and performance. Students begin by refining their vocal skills, delving into speech mechanics, and mastering breath control and articulation. They explore script analysis, memorization, character development, and genre-specific branding. Improvisation classes nurture spontaneity and creative expression. Students learn body awareness, integrating diverse movement techniques. Additionally, students study the techniques employed by accomplished actors in the film industry, gaining insights into genre-specific branding and the actor’s role in film preparation.
Q2
In the second quarter, students undergo specialized training to enhance their acting skills. They delve deeper into scene study, character development, and emotional depth. The curriculum also includes practical knowledge and industry insights for real-world readiness. Improvisational storytelling skills are honed, and students gain on-set expertise. The quarter emphasizes physical comedy, dance choreography, vocal control, articulation, and dialect proficiency.
Q3
In the third quarter, students continue to refine their acting skills and enhance their employability. They focus on the intricacies of acting for the camera, working on emotional depth and on-camera techniques. Students explore the application of improvisation in comedic contexts, refining comedic timing and the creation of spontaneous humor. The curriculum integrates dance, body movement clowning, and yoga, allowing actors to embody diverse characters and enhance their physical expressiveness. Students will learn advanced vocal dynamics, including projection, resonance, and vocal modulation.
Q4
In the final quarter, students advance their comprehension in acting, employability, improvisation, movement, and voice, preparing for successful careers in the industry. They explore advanced techniques for film and TV, honing skills in emotional depth and nuanced character portrayal. Students will focus on ensemble dynamics and live performance hosting, as well as advanced body conditioning, holistic wellness practices, and character exploration. Students will also consolidate their learning to create a compelling body of work for their portfolios, positioning themselves for gainful employment in the entertainment industry.

FAQs

Let's Get you answers

Do I need prior screenwriting experience to join the program?
No prior experience is required. This program is designed to guide you from foundational storytelling skills through to writing professional-level film and television scripts.
What will I learn in the Writing for Film & Television program?
You’ll learn how to write for both film and television, including story structure, character development, dialogue, formatting, and episodic storytelling. You’ll also gain experience developing full scripts, including pilots and feature-length screenplays.
What kind of projects will I complete?
Throughout the program, you’ll develop a portfolio that may include a television pilot, series bible, episode outlines, and a feature-length screenplay.
Is this program focused more on film or television writing?
The program covers both film and television writing equally, helping you understand how to write for feature films as well as episodic and serialized television formats.
Will I receive feedback on my writing?
Yes. You’ll receive ongoing feedback through instructor guidance, peer workshops, and script reviews designed to help you refine and strengthen your work.
What can I do after completing the program?
Graduates leave with a professional writing portfolio and the skills needed to pursue opportunities in screenwriting, including developing original scripts for film and television and preparing work for industry submission.

Our Grads Power the

Arts & Tech Economy

CAT’s creative and technical programs are directly connected to a creative sector that makes a $6 Billion contribution to the British Columbia economy every year. Graduates from our 2D and 3D animation, filmmaking, graphic design, audio engineering and other programs are among the over 120,000 skilled arts and tech workers employed provincially in this vibrant, constantly growing ‘creative economy’. Over the years, hundreds of CAT animation graduates have made their mark on the industry, contributing their skills and creativity to numerous award-winning projects. Industry accolades include five Oscar-winning works and over 40 movies, TV shows and games that have garnered Emmys, BAFTAs, and Game Awards including Game of Thrones, Fortnite and Spider-Man: No Way Home just to name a few!

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What our grads are saying...

Experience the CAT Difference

Why the Best Choose Us

We understand that choosing a post-secondary school is a big decision that usually involves input from some of the most important people in your life. Tuition considerations, support after graduation and key industry connections – these are all part of choosing the best acting school for you. Here are a few reasons why you’ll be happy you chose College for Arts and Technology:

Finance Options

Hands-on, employment-focused education.

Employment-focused programs delivering the soft skills you need for lasting career success and hands-on experience with the latest, industry-standard techniques. Your acting career starts here!

More one-on-one time with your Instructors and mentors.

Small class sizes mean you get more facetime and critical feedback from your education team, to achieve real growth and success.

Personalized support from start to finish.

Financial guidance? We’ve got you covered. Career advice after graduation? We wouldn’t have it any other way. You’re more than a student number to us. We create a personalized experience that you won’t get anywhere else.

Quality you can fact-check.

College for Arts and Technology holds a full designation through Education Quality Assurance and the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit. You’ll only get the best at College for Arts and Technology.

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