Overview
Bring your stories to life on screen in this immersive four-week screenwriting programme. Designed for beginners and those with some experience, you’ll move from initial concept to finished script while sharpening your storytelling skills.
Learn the art and science of narrative, structure compelling plots, and create dynamic, relatable characters. Explore different formats - from short films to features and TV series - and practice scene construction, dialogue, and writing across genres like drama, crime, horror, romcom, and comedy.
Each week, you’ll develop your craft through practical exercises, peer feedback in brainstorming sessions and writer’s rooms, and dedicated rewriting time, learning that great writing is iterative.
By the end of the course, you’ll have completed your own script, pitched it to an audience, participated in a table read with actors, and gained the knowledge to market yourself, network, and launch your screenwriting career.
Course structure
Topics covered
The course content will focus on the following subject areas:
Narratology - what makes a story work
Explore the foundations of storytelling and uncover the narrative structures that drive compelling scripts.
Audiovisual storytelling
Learn how to write for the screen - using image, sound and pacing to bring stories to life.
Character building
Create dynamic, authentic characters that resonate with audiences and propel your narrative forward.
Scene craft
Write scenes with clarity, intention and emotional punch, turning ideas into gripping moments on the page.
Forms & formats
Experiment with short films, features and TV series, discovering how each format shapes story, structure and voice.
The screenwriting career
Gain insight into branding, positioning and navigating the industry - so you can enter the market with confidence.
Weekly breakdown
Week 1 – Screenwriter’s Toolbox
- What is story?
- Screenwriting fundamentals.
- The writing workflow, from idea generation to first drafts.
Week 2 – Genre
- Dive into key genres: drama, crime, horror, romcom and comedy.
- Understanding genre conventions and expectations.
Week 3 – Writing Week
- Collaborative writing in Brainstorm Rooms and Writer’s Rooms.
- Writing your first draft.
- Peer feedback sessions.
- The rewriting process: editing and refining your script.
Week 4 – Presentation, Table Read & the Industry
- Pitching your script to an audience.
- Table read of finished scripts with actors.
- Marketing yourself as a screenwriter: building a personal brand.
- Networking strategies.
- Industry insights: overview of screenwriting jobs and taking your first steps.
Skills gained
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand and apply story structures.
- Write compelling, well-crafted scenes.
- Develop strong editing and rewriting skills.
- Recognise and refine your own writing workflow.
- Confidently pitch your ideas.
- Effectively market yourself as a screenwriter.
Progression
Whether you want to spend four weeks honing your writing skills and connecting with like-minded individuals, or you’re preparing to advance to our longer Screenwriting BA or HE Certificate programme, this short course will equip you with the essential tools to bring your stories to life.
You will develop and receive feedback on projects relevant for those looking to work as screenwriters, script editors, script consultants and content developers for film and television.
Tutors
Our tutors are industry-acclaimed experts in their field, with a passion for passing on their knowledge to others. Here are some of the tutors that will be supporting you throughout your learning process.
Essential information
Tuition fees
Enrolment fee*: €495
Course fee: €1,755
Total: €2,250
Early Bird Discount: Enrol in a Summer Short Course before the end of March 31 2026 and receive a discount of €150 off the tuition fee.
Multi Course Discount: Enrol in both a Summer Short Course and a degree course with us in the same year, and receive a discount of €500 off the total tuition fee.
*Enrolment fee is non-refundable.
Timetable
We can’t provide an exact timetable until we know how many students will attend the course. However, you will have an average of 16 hours per week of workshops.
Our campus facilities are open for the students to use beyond the timetabled workshop hours and are bookable from 10:00 until 19:45 during the Short Course term.
Entry requirements
The most important prerequisite for attending this course is that you must be passionate about building and developing your skills within electronic music production.
Our Short Courses are designed to be accessible to anyone, so we do not require any level of academic certification to apply. Generally, applicants must be 18 or over when the course begins. If you're coming from outside the EU, a holiday/travel visa will usually suffice.
For more information, please contact a member of the Admissions team. We love to chat! You can reach out to us at:
Email: admissions@catalyst-berlin.com
Phone: +49 30 2900 9052
Application deadlines
Early bird deadline: 31 March 2026
Final application deadline: 29 May 2026
Spots fill up fast. Once a course is full, you'll be placed on the waiting list.
Save €150 with the Early Bird Discount
Apply to any Summer Short Course before 31 March 2026 to secure your spot early and receive €150 off your tuition fee.
