Business Success in the Screen Industries from edX

This course is part of the University of Cambridge’s MicroMasters programme in Writing for Performance and Entertainment Industries.

How can you build a secure business base for your screenwriting career? What tools do you need to start your own production company? Which techniques do you need to learn in order to pitch ideas effectively to producers and directors? How important is networking in the film and TV industries, and what skills can you develop in order to do it successfully? What is a ‘writers’ room’ and how can you learn to collaborate in time-pressured environments? In this course, we will be looking in depth at how create the best commercial platform in order that your creative work may flourish in the wider world.

We will be looking at business models for the writer-entrepreneur, and considering how other successful writers, animators and producers have found commercial outlets for their creative practice. Learn how to maintain your resilience and motivation within a demanding profession; find out how to create a market for your own work and how to use social media to build an outstanding professional profile. Expert networking and business skills are an important part of maintaining a successful career as a screenwriter. These are now essential skills in a diversifying global job market.

You will be set reflective writing exercises over the course of the module, and you will asked to keep a brief business journal to note how your creative work may have commercial value. By the end of this module, you will have reflected on your strengths as a producer of your own work, and have learnt practical tools about how to manage your career after you have finished that script!

What you'll learn

Specialised knowledge of histories, forms, and traditions of writing for film and TV, as well as the cultural contexts of innovative practitioners and practices within performance; of contemporary critical, analytical, and narrative theories of performance;
developed advanced self-management skills to include working in planned and improvisatory ways, as well as the ability to anticipate and accommodate change, ambiguity, creative risk-taking, uncertainty and unfamiliarity;
how to create effective structure within a scene; how to edit your scene and think like a dramaturg; how to create effective characters.
advanced awareness of the relevant market and distribution demands of the film and TV industries.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Specialised knowledge of histories, forms, and traditions of writing for film and tv, as well as the cultural contexts of innovative practitioners and practices within performance; of contemporary critical, analytical, and narrative theories of performance;
Developed advanced self-management skills to include working in planned and improvisatory ways, as well as the ability to anticipate and accommodate change, ambiguity, creative risk-taking, uncertainty and unfamiliarity;

How to create effective structure within a scene; how to edit your scene and think like a dramaturg; how to create effective characters.
Advanced awareness of the relevant market and distribution demands of the film and tv industries.

Specialised knowledge of histories, forms, and traditions of writing for film and tv, as well as the cultural contexts of innovative practitioners and practices within performance; of contemporary critical, analytical, and narrative theories of performance;
Developed advanced self-management skills to include working in planned and improvisatory ways, as well as the ability to anticipate and accommodate change, ambiguity, creative risk-taking, uncertainty and unfamiliarity;
How to create effective structure within a scene; how to edit your scene and think like a dramaturg; how to create effective characters.
Advanced awareness of the relevant market and distribution demands of the film and tv industries.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches screenwriting fundamentals and business skills to navigate the film and TV industry

Provides tools and techniques for pitching ideas effectively and building a production company

Develops essential business skills for self-management and project management

Taught by experienced industry professionals, such as Abigail Docherty, who provide valuable insights and guidance

Requires active participation in reflective writing exercises and journal keeping to encourage self-awareness and career planning

Covers a wide range of topics, including screenwriting, production, pitching, networking, and marketing, making it suitable for individuals with diverse interests and career goals in the entertainment industry

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Business Success in the Screen Industries with these activities:

Watch tutorials on screenwriting

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Watching tutorials on screenwriting can help you learn the basics of the craft and improve your skills.

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Find tutorials that cover the topics you're interested in.
Watch the tutorials and take notes.
Practice the techniques you learn.

Attend industry events

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Attending industry events can help you meet people in the film and TV industry and learn about new opportunities.

Browse courses on Networking

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Research industry events in your area.
Attend events and introduce yourself to people.
Follow up with people you meet.

Join a writing group

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Joining a writing group can help you get feedback on your work and improve your writing skills.

Browse courses on Peer Review

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Research writing groups in your area.
Join a writing group that meets your needs.
Attend writing group meetings regularly.
Share your work with the group.
Give and receive feedback.

Five other activities

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Read "The Writer's Journey" by Christopher Vogler

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Reading "The Writer's Journey" will help you understand the basic structure of a story and how to use it to create compelling screenplays.

View The Writer's Journey - 25th Anniversary Edition... on Amazon

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Read the book.
Take notes on the key concepts.
Apply the concepts to your own writing.

Read "Save the Cat!" by Jessica Brody

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Reading "Save the Cat!" will help you understand the importance of creating a compelling logline and first act.

View Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On... on Amazon

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Read the book.
Take notes on the key concepts.
Apply the concepts to your own writing.

Enter screenwriting contests

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Entering screenwriting contests can help you get your work noticed and win prizes.

Browse courses on Screenwriting

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Research screenwriting contests.
Write a screenplay that meets the contest criteria.
Submit your screenplay to the contest.

Write a short screenplay

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Writing a short screenplay will give you practical experience in applying the principles of storytelling and screenwriting.

Browse courses on Screenwriting

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Choose a story to tell.
Develop your characters.
Outline your plot.
Write your first draft.
Get feedback on your script.

Create a portfolio of your work

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Creating a portfolio of your work will help you showcase your skills and attract potential employers.

Browse courses on Portfolio

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Collect samples of your best work.
Create a website or online portfolio.
Promote your portfolio to potential employers.

Career center

Learners who complete Business Success in the Screen Industries will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

TV Showrunner

TV Showrunners oversee the creative and production aspects of a television show. They work with writers, directors, actors, and other crew members to bring a show to life. This course provides insights into the business side of the television industry, marketing, and distribution, which aligns with this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for TV Showrunner

TV Development Executive

TV Development Executives oversee the development of new television shows. They work with writers, producers, and other creatives to identify, develop, and pitch new show concepts. This course provides insights into the business side of the television industry, marketing, and distribution, which aligns with this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for TV Development Executive

Story Analyst

Story Analysts read and evaluate scripts for film and television. They provide feedback to writers and producers on the strengths and weaknesses of their work. This course provides specialized knowledge about writing for film and television, as well as advanced skills in storytelling, which would be useful for a Story Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Story Analyst

Independent Filmmaker

Independent Filmmakers oversee the creative, financial, and logistical aspects of filmmaking outside of the traditional studio system. This course provides insights into business models, pitching ideas, and writer collaboration, all of which align with the role of an Independent Filmmaker.

See salaries and explore the career path for Independent Filmmaker

Film Studio Executive

Film Studio Executives oversee the creative, financial, and logistical aspects of film production. They work with directors, writers, actors, and other crew members to bring a film to life. This course provides insights into business models, pitching ideas, and writer collaboration, all of which align with the role of a Film Studio Executive.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Studio Executive

Television Network Executive

Television Network Executives oversee the creative, financial, and logistical aspects of television production. They work with directors, writers, actors, and other crew members to bring a show to life. This course provides insights into business models, pitching ideas, and writer collaboration, all of which align with the role of a Television Network Executive.

See salaries and explore the career path for Television Network Executive

Script Editor

Script Editors work with writers to develop and improve scripts for film and television. They provide feedback on story, structure, dialogue, and character development. This course provides advanced knowledge about writing for film and television, as well as skills in storytelling, which are relevant to the role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Script Editor

Film Development Executive

Film Development Executives oversee the development of new films. They work with writers, producers, and other creatives to identify, develop, and pitch new film concepts. This course may be useful because it covers topics such as business models, pitching ideas, and writer collaboration, all of which align with the role of a Film Development Executive.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Development Executive

Film Producer

Film Producers oversee the creative, financial, and logistical aspects of filmmaking. They work with directors, writers, actors, and other crew members to bring a film to life. This course provides insights into business models for the writer-entrepreneur, which may be useful for Film Producers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Producer

Television Producer

Television Producers oversee the development of television programs. They work closely with writers, directors, and other crew members to bring a show to life. This course explores business models for the writer-entrepreneur, providing skills and knowledge relevant to the business side of producing television.

See salaries and explore the career path for Television Producer

Television Writer

Television Writers write scripts for television series. They may write individual episodes, story arcs, or whole seasons. This course dives into specialized knowledge about writing for television, the related histories, traditions, and forms. It also provides awareness of the different demands of television compared to film.

See salaries and explore the career path for Television Writer

Screenwriter

Screenwriters write scripts for films and television shows. This course provides foundational knowledge about the roles of these writers, such as how they develop characters, structure plots, and write dialogue.

See salaries and explore the career path for Screenwriter

Film Director

Film Directors oversee the creative and technical aspects of filmmaking. They work with actors, crew members, and other creatives to bring a film to life. This course may be useful, since it provides knowledge about the film and television industries, as well as advanced self-management skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Director

Film Screenwriter

Film Screenwriters script and structure stories for feature-length films. This course provides foundational knowledge about the roles of these writers, such as how they develop characters, structure plots, and write dialogue. The course's focus on the film and television industries provides contextual knowledge for this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Screenwriter

Talent Agent

Talent Agents represent actors, writers, and other creative professionals. They help their clients negotiate contracts, book auditions, and develop their careers. This course can provide skills and knowledge about the film and television industries, which would be useful for a talent agent.

See salaries and explore the career path for Talent Agent

Business Success in the Screen Industries

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