Basic Screenwriting for Short Film
Course Summary
This course is part of the course on Film making which aims to teach interested individuals on the rudiments
of pre-production, production and post production of Short Films. As an one of the most integral element
of making films, the course provides a module on Basic Screenwriting for Short Film.
The Basic Screenwriting for Short Film module aims to teach students the fundamentals of writing short
scripts, engaging them into the pre-writing, writing and revision stages of developing a story material for
short films.
Entry Level:
• Individuals who want to start learning writing for films.
• Individuals who are already writing for content on social media but want to enhance their writing
skills.
• A background in cinematography or videography is an advantage although not necessary.
Prerequisites: None
Controlling Purpose:
This course is designed to introduce the students the fundamentals of storytelling and help the student
increase their knowledge in screenwriting. They will learn the discipline of storytelling technique, scene
writing, script writing, character development, and dialogue. Also, students will gain understanding in
analyzing both film and scripts while learning how to outline, draft, and write their own original script for
short films.
Learner Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to obtain a better understanding of movies and
formulate their own short screenplays. They will also develop an understanding of creating character, plot,
structure, and formula. Also, the students will analyze movies with bad and good screenplays, which is
essential to creating their own work. By working together in a concentrated classroom, students will benefit
from a positive work environment where they will share and exchange ideas. There will also be activities
that may be held outside to expose students to inspirations in developing characters and scenes.
Unit Outcomes for Criterion Based Evaluation:
The following outline defines the minimum core content. Instructors may add other material as time allows.
Objectives Hours
UNIT 1: Characteristics of a Film & Film Genres
By the end of this learning unit, students must be able to:
• Describe film versus other forms of art. 1 hour
• Differentiate film genres.
• Differentiate feature versus short films.
UNIT 2: Premise & Loglines
By the end of this learning unit, students must be able to: 2 hours
• Identify sources of stories.
• Write story premise and loglines.
Prepared by: RGNicdao 1
Basic Screenwriting for Short Film
UNIT 3: Elements of a Story
By the end of this learning unit, students must be able to: 1 hour
• Define the different elements of a story.
UNIT 4: Characters
By the end of this learning unit, students must be able to:
• Define the different kinds of characters in a story.
3 hours
• Describe the importance of goals, motivation, beliefs, fear, etc. in creating interesting
characters after watching a sample film.
• Write interesting characters.
UNIT 5: Plot Structures (Conventional & Alternatives)
By the end of this learning unit, students must be able to:
3 hours
• Discuss the 3-Act structure
• Present the other available plot structures
UNIT 6: Storyline, Outline, Treatment & Spec Script
By the end of this learning unit, students must be able to: 1 hour
• Present the differences storylines, outline, treatment and spec script.
UNIT 7: Script Formatting
By the end of this learning unit, students must be able to:
• Use screenwriting software. 1 hour
• Examine the basic dos and don’ts of formatting a script.
UNIT 8: Writing Scenes
By the end of this learning unit, students must be able to:
2 hours
• identify the different kinds of scenes and their function.
• Write scenes.
UNIT 9: Dialogues
By the end of this learning unit, students must be able to: 1 hours
• Write different kinds of dialogues according to character, purpose and act.
**UNIT 10: Film & Literary Tools
By the end of this learning unit, students must be able to:
3 hours
• Identify and use different literary tools that are being used in film scripts such as
flashback, foreshadowing, symbolisms, metaphors, Chekov’s Gun, Red herring, etc.
UNIT 11: Writing the Script
• Create and write an original screenplay of at least 10 pages.
Prepared by: RGNicdao 2
Basic Screenwriting for Short Film
• Workshop and edit with their peers.
Produce a professional piece in correct format with minimal grammar/spelling errors.
UNIT 12: Script Revision
Total Number of Hours 18 hours
Projects Required:
• Loglines
• Storyline/Treatment
• Short script
Textbooks:
• Trip to Quiapo - Ricardo Lee
• The Anatomy of Story – John Truby
• Various scriptbooks
Materials/Equipment Required:
• Screenwriting software (Fadein – recommended)
Attendance Policy:
• As per school regulations.
Grading Policy:
• The grading policy will be ?????
Maximum class size:
• 12 students for Hybrid or F2F
• 20 students for Online
Prepared by: RGNicdao 3
