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Back to Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV or Web Series (Project-Centered Course)

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV or Web Series (Project-Centered Course) by Michigan State University

4.5
stars
736 ratings

About the Course

What you’ll achieve: In this project-centered course*, you will design a series bible and write a complete pilot episode for your own unique television or web series, be it drama or comedy or something in between. You’ll learn to break down the creative process into components, and you’ll discover a structured process that allows you to produce a polished and pitch-ready script in just a few weeks. Completing this project will increase your confidence in your ideas and abilities, and you’ll feel prepared to pitch your first script and get started on your next. Here is a link to a trailer for the course. To view the trailer, please copy and paste the link into your browser. https://vimeo.com/423035246/6b3c18c4c5 This is a course designed to tap into your creativity and is based in "Active Learning". Most of the actual learning takes place within your own activities - that is, writing! You will learn by doing. "Thank you so much for your direct way of teaching this course. It was encouraging for us all to creatively flow and find our own voice in writing and developing our scripts. This aspect was very important to me." Ingrid The course curriculum is simple: you’ll write, revise your work, and share feedback with your peers. I am a proponent of Experiential Learning (active learning). My lectures are short (sometimes just two minutes long) and to the point, designed in a step-by-step process essential to your success as a script writer. I will guide you but I won’t "show" you how to write. I firmly believe that the only way to become a writer is to write, write, write. “David's lecture style for this course is inspired. The videos are succinct and engaging. When I watch the lectures I feel David’s sincere desire for me to create something truly amazing. He is teaching us how to write a script, and he is providing wisdom and tools that will help us do so in a compelling way - by writing; not by watching him talk at us.” - A R Adamson What you’ll need to get started: To begin with, any basic word processor will do. During week two, you can choose to download some free scriptwriting software such as Celtx or Trelby or you may choose to purchase Final Draft, or you can continue to use your word processor and do your own script formatting. Learner Review: "I am in love with this course. Having never written a script before, or any substantive fiction since college (15 years ago) I had a small idea in my head that has now exploded into something I really believe in. David's guidance is spot on, he's his own compelling story teller, he gives you enough, and then you have to figure it out, make it happen, WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! " If you have any concerns regarding the protection of your original work, Coursera's privacy policy protects the learner's IP and you are indeed the sole owners of your work. *About Project-Centered Courses: This is a ‘project-centered course’, which means it is designed specifically to help you complete a personally meaningful real-world project, with your instructor and a community of learners with similar goals providing guidance and suggestions along the way. By actively applying new concepts as you learn, you’ll master the course content more efficiently; you’ll also get a head start on using the skills you gain to make positive changes in your life and career. When you complete the course, you’ll have a finished project that you’ll be proud to use and share. Time: 1-2 hours of study, 30+ hours of active project work...

Top reviews

AA

Jun 13, 2016

David Wheeler is awesome, and I love this course! I am so glad that Coursera and Michigan State University have partnered to offer this course to those of us who have a thirst for learning! Thank you!

MT

Jan 10, 2017

Amazing course. Without useless talking, we are immediately thrown into action, and start working immediately. This course helped me gain priceless empiric experience, and finally start writing.

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76 - 100 of 291 Reviews for Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV or Web Series (Project-Centered Course)

By sana s

May 18, 2020

This course has some useful insights about writing a screenplay, which I'd never heard before. The best part is that you actually get to work on something concrete. This course gives you a chance of coming up with a script, and polishing it well with feedback.

By Наталія П

Jan 8, 2017

I was surprised that we don't suppose to learn about writing scripts. Because the best way to learn is to write the script. It wasn't easy for me as not a native speaker. But I finished it! I recommend this course! Jan is the best mentor! Thank you very much!

By Esjag G

Jul 7, 2020

Un gran curso. Te enseña todas las habilidades básicas que necesitas si estás interesado en el mundo del guionismo. El profesor imparte con maestría cada uno de los temas, el curso es ameno e interesante y cada tarea asignada pone a prueba tus habilidades.

By Deleted A

Aug 13, 2021

Thanks to this course I was able to finish my pilot episode , edit and now i'm looking for literary managers ! Highly recommend to anyone who can't afford a university and screenwriting is the field they want to study in. You get as much as you put out!

By Stacy I

Sep 1, 2020

I really enjoyed this course, though I felt on my last submission I would have liked feedback from someone knowledgeable from Michigan state not just peers. However I am aware this is probably not feasible given that it is a free course.

By Ayomide L

May 15, 2021

Excellent course. It has really brought out the script writer in me. The lecturing is simple and easy to grasp. I'm so glad I took the challenge and now I am certified. I feel so confident in my skills now. Thank you for this course!

By Irene E

Oct 18, 2020

Thanks to this course I found out that I was capable of writing fiction and actually finishing it. :) I tried several times to write fiction before, but I never finish them. Will be pursuing the other screenwriting course. Thank you!

By Graciene s S

Aug 29, 2023

It was a great opportunity to create something new. I know it needs revision for improvement, but the base story is ready. The methodology of carrying out weekly activities was great, as was having the story analyzed by colleagues.

By Allei G

Jun 4, 2020

The course gives enough time for students to finish their work. The videos are very helpful and I like that it's project-centered. Really pushed me to write and be creative! Would definitely take another course similar to this.

By Peter P

Sep 24, 2016

I enjoyed this class. It is very open and organic. Creativity is encouraged and very few restrictions and rules are imposed. I found the class to be well-taught and I looked forward to participating in every week of class.

By laila a

Sep 11, 2019

This is not a class where poetry is appreciated, it is also a continual pleasure to which one can return from time to time to enter an atmosphere of exchange, reflection and new discoveries. This course should never ends :)

By Latiecia P

Mar 31, 2021

I learnt alot from this course and I will be using the knowledge gained to create a master piece some day in the future. I would like to thank Professor David Wheeler and mentor Jan Zurcher for such an amazing experience.

By Mahima A

Jul 15, 2020

Loved it! The only thing is I wasn't able to interact with my peers, but I've learnt a great deal and have ended up with a script in hand that I can now work with and hopefully put out there soon!

Thank you very much!!!

By arya k s

Apr 1, 2018

It's a very good course. If you want to write . Complete script this course will help you do it. It is very crisp and to the point. I would love to recommend this course to anyone interested in learning script writing.

By Dianna S

Aug 30, 2021

This course is useful & it really helped me make a pilot episode. I went form not knowing how to write ANYTHING in script writing format to being (somewhat) an expert on script writing. Many thanks to David Wheeler!

By Jose H

Jun 29, 2022

Great course for the breakdown of storybuilding through synopses and outlines, a process that works to better inform and strengthen the narrative. Giving and receiving critiques were also helpful exercises. Kudos!

By Chandra B S

Sep 11, 2020

The assignments help a lot. This course is best for new writers. If you want to write something and want feedback, this is the course for you. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to start their writing career.

By Anichebe T

May 28, 2023

this is my first official course on script writing and It was worth the time. And I learned a lot about script writing (pilot episode). Thanks to Michigan University and David for this wonderful experience.

By Franka E E E

Aug 15, 2020

I really enjoyed the course and David Wheeler's style of explanation. The videos are really helpful. Also, the mentor - Jan Zurcher, is always there to address concerns and answer questions. Thank you !

By Amy A

Jun 14, 2016

David Wheeler is awesome, and I love this course! I am so glad that Coursera and Michigan State University have partnered to offer this course to those of us who have a thirst for learning! Thank you!

By Jeanne H F

Sep 28, 2016

Fantastic course, loved the way it walked you step by step through the process and the formatting. This course could have been ten weeks and still wouldn't be enough. Awesome hands on learning.

By Francielle L R

Dec 14, 2022

O curso proporciona aprendizados técnicos de forma muito inteligível, de fácil compreensão. As avaliações realizadas durante a jornada são fundamentais para praticar o que o conteúdo nos ensina.

By Maria T

Jan 10, 2017

Amazing course. Without useless talking, we are immediately thrown into action, and start working immediately. This course helped me gain priceless empiric experience, and finally start writing.

By Oluchi J

Dec 12, 2022

It was amazing, breaking down the fundamentals of scriptwriting into its simplest elements and giving an elementary and structured "how-to" guide that can work for any form of scriptwriting

By Sofia S

Jul 24, 2021

Мне понравилось, что материал подан без лишнего киношкольного шлака: боевой минимум информации + максимум практики. Хорошо подходит, чтобы упорядочить свои знания по сценарному мастерству.