Skip to Content
Registrations Closed

Screenwriting 101

Everything you ever wanted to know about screenwriting and how to write your first film.

Starts
Ends
Add to calendar:
Screenwriting 101

Screenwriting 101

Everything you ever wanted to know about screenwriting and how to write your first film.

Pricing
Tuition Assistance and Policies
See more
Cancellation & Other Policies
See more
Registrations Closed

About

We’ll start with writing shorts and move on to how to structure a feature film (either original or adaptation of your novel) by class two. This is a "ladder" class where you can just take 101 and learn the basics, or continue on to 201 and 301 where you flesh out your film and have a completed script by the end.

You don't have to have any screenwriting experience to take this class, although if you watch and love movies, it’s a plus. You'll learn about structure, characterization, and dialogue as you begin to plot out your own films. We’ll start with short films and then prepare you to write full-length scripts in Screenwriting 201 and Screenwriting 301

Details

  • Once you're registered for the class, the instructor will send you some scripts of 2024 films nominated for awards by the Writers Guild of America. You're asked to read three of them to get comfortable with the format of screenwriting. 
  • Before class, download (and get comfortable with) the screenwriting software Final Draft (or the equivalent, such as Celtx or  Writerduet). 

Class Policies

Ages 14 and up are welcome.

Instructor
Colette Freedman

Colette Freedman is a novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. Her plays and musicals have been performed all over the world, including "Serial Killer Barbie" and "Sister Cities." She just returned from Carnegie Hall where she was the dramaturg for the musical "Mozart: Her Story." Colette has produced a number of films and written several indie gems including "And Then There Was Eve," which won The Los Angeles Film Festival. She co-produced "Quality Problems," which has won several awards on the festival circuit. She is in post-production for her coming-of-age film "Miles Underwater." Her Amelia Earhart film "7,000 Miles," starring Wendie Malick, is currently on the festival circuit. She is a faculty member at New York Film Academy, Antioch University, and Studio Arts where she teaches screenwriting, playwriting, and novel writing. www.colettefreedman.com, (@colettefreedman)

Related Events

Check out other events you might be interested in!

Writers’ Studio Orientation
Writers’ Studio Orientation

A brief orientation to the Writers' Studio, covering key tools and resources to help you settle in and start writing.

December 08, 2026

Media Podcast Studio Orientation
Media Podcast Studio Orientation

This introduction to podcasting processes, techniques, and tools is required for anyone who wants to work in the studio.

December 08, 2026

Read Like a Writer: Writers’ Studio Book Club
Read Like a Writer: Writers’ Studio Book Club

This bimonthly book club features recently published books across rotating genres, each discussed with an expert.

December 03, 2026

-*