Overview
Are you ready to bring your ideas to life on screen? This immersive four-week programme is designed to guide you through the essentials of screenwriting, from initial concept to finished script. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some experience under your belt, you’ll sharpen your storytelling skills and gain the tools to thrive in the world of film and television writing.
Gain a broad understanding of the screenwriter’s role, mastering the fundamentals of narratology (the art and science of story), how to structure narratives and how to craft dynamic characters. Learn how to adapt your writing to different forms, from short films to full-length feature films and TV series.
Each week, you’ll build your expertise, covering key aspects of screenwriting such as scene construction, dialogue, and writing across genres including drama, crime, horror, romcom and comedy. With practical exercises in generating ideas, outlining plots and refining drafts, you'll experience the full writing workflow. Peer feedback in brainstorming sessions and writer’s rooms and dedicated time for rewriting will help sharpen your craft, as you learn that writing is an iterative process.
By the end of the course, you’ll have written your own script and had the opportunity to pitch your work to an audience, as well as participate in a table read with actors. You'll also explore how to market yourself as a screenwriter, learning the ins and outs of branding, networking and finding your first job in the industry. Equipped with the skills to edit, pitch and promote your work, you’ll be ready to take the next steps toward a successful career in screenwriting.
Course structure
Topics covered
The course content will focus on the following subject areas:
- Narratology: what is story?
- Audiovisual storytelling: crafting stories for the screen.
- Building dynamic, relatable characters.
- Writing impactful scenes.
- Forms: exploring short films, features, and TV series.
- Entering the market: screenwriters’ branding and positioning for success.
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.
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 February 2025 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 and class size
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.
You can expect to be in a class of 12 to 16 students.
Entry requirements
The most important prerequisite for attending this course is that you must be passionate about building and developing your skills in screenwriting.
Our Short Courses are designed to be accessible to anyone, so we do not require any level of academic certification to apply. To qualify, you should usually be aged 18 or over. 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! Please reach out to us at admissions@catalyst-berlin.com or call us at +49 30 2900 9052.
Application deadlines
Once a course is full, we will no longer accept more applications, so applying as soon as possible increases your chances of getting a place. The official deadline for applying to a Short Course is Friday 23 May 2025.
Open days, Q&As & taster workshops
Get a feel for Catalyst and our courses at a range of both online and in-person events. Join us at a Virtual Open Day or an Open Day at our campus in Berlin, check out our facilities with a campus tour, join an Admissions Q&A, or try a taster workshop.
Primer Workshop – Access to Higher Education
Designed for those wishing to join our main programmes, but lacking the formal education requirements to apply through standard entry.
These free workshops run at the same time as your short course programme and cover writing skills, reading, structuring arguments, debate and understanding context.
They utilise task and project-based learning methodology to ensure that you’re prepared and ready for our longer HE Certificate or BA programmes.