5 Months Program

Semester Scriptwriting Course

Prague Film Institute > Semester Scriptwriting Course
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Semester Scriptwriting Course

Semester Screenwriting Course is practical, full-time, suitable for beginners and taught on our campus in Prague, the Czech Republic. This study program will teach you the basics of screenwriting techniques and includes every week screenwriting practising for short films of your classmates as well as writing script for the final high production value film. You will also be required to learn the basics of filmmaking to make you understand the entire process from pre-production to post-production, which is crucial for kick-starting your career in the film industry. The emphasis on scriptwriting specialisation is given mostly during practical classes

You will learn the basics of screenwriting and write scripts for high production value films.

COURSE FEATURES

Type: Hands-On Training

Dates:
5 Feb 2024 – 30 Jun 2024
Only for EU applicants: 4 Sep 2023 – 27 Jan 2024 

Application Deadline:
30 Sep 2023
Only for EU applicants: 15 Aug 2023  

Study Mode: Full Time

Timetable: Mon – Fri (9am – 5pm) 

Tuition: see Price List

Language: English

Students: Small Group (10-15 people)

our value proposition

course highlights

Screenwriting Every Week

During the course, you will get a chance to practice writing techniques on dozens of short films of different styles.

High Production Value Film

Write a script for high production value final film shot by your classmates on the most popular cinema cameras such as Red Monstro, Alexa Amira or Sony f55.

Pitching a Script

You will have a chance to pitch your scripts to a panel of industry professionals.

High production value film

During the semester you will invest most of the time practising screenwriting on dozens of short films. At the end of the semester you will write a script for a final film of your classmates which will be of higher production value compared to average school films. Through the guidance of your tutors, you will write scripts that will be produced on the same level as professional film productions. Your movie will be shot with the professional filmmaking equipment at the value of more than 90 000 USD.

what you will study

scriptwriting module

Below you can see the basic topics which you will complete on the course. You will turn into practice all theory acquired in the classroom. During practical exercises, you will equip yourself with basic key skills needed for film scriptwriting and create industry-standard scripts. The curriculum of the Semester Scriptwriting Course is identical to the first semester of the 1 Year Filmmaking Program.

Writing to Theme

Basics of Writing Characters

Basics of Utilizing the Story Frame

Essentials of Dramatic Dialogue

Set-up/Pay-off, Casuality and Cosmology

Twin Tools of Drama: Intrique and Suspense

Introduction to Classic Narrative

Basics of Alternative Story Structures

Episodic Narratives for TV and Webisodes

Short Film Storytelling

Basics of Working with Genre

From Concept to Final Draft

Masterclasses

Learn directly from professionals from the film industry by listening to their personal experiences as scriptwriters.

Consultations with Teachers

Practical Workshops

Practicing screenwriting in the form of stylistic tasks focused on e.g. different genres and character development.

OTHER FILMMAKING MODULES

Cinematography

  • Principles of Camera and Lens Use in Cinematography
  • Basics of Safe Setup, Operation and Control of Cameras and Lenses
  • Practical workshop with Students of Cinematography
  • Compositional Theory of Cinematography
  • Features of Lighting in Cinematography in Creating a Visual Language
  • Different Approaches to Lighting

Directing

  • Basics of Mise-en-Scene Studies
  • Directing Actors
  • Film Theory
  • Basics of Film History
  • Mood Boards

 

Production

  • Film Crew: Roles and Responsabilities
  • Introduction to the Business of Film
  • Basics of Line Producing
  • Project Planning
  • Pitching
  • Casting
  • Basics of Movie Magic Scheduling Software

Post-production

  • Usage of Editing Techniques for Different Production Contexts
  • Types of Shots
  • Emotional Curve of the Scene
  • Timing and Pace
  • Editing for Different Genres
  • Editing in Da Vinci Resolve Software
  • Color grading in Da Vinci Resolve Software
  • Postproduction of Sound

qualification

After finishing the Semester Scriptwriting Course, you can choose to continue to 1 Year Filmmaking Course and become eligible for the BTEC Level 4 HNC in Film.

course details

Entry Requirements
What to Bring?
What’s Included
Not Included

Entry Requirements

AgeMinimum age to enter the course is 18 years.
EducationNo prior filmmaking experience is required.
EnglishCommunicative level.
DocumentsCopy of passport, curriculum vitae (CV), example of creative work / motivational letter.

What to Bring

We recommend that all new Prague Film Institute students purchase their own personal laptops for self guided learning and post-production practice. Our goal is to teach students how to use their own computer for high quality results. Make sure that you choose a laptop which meets the minimum recommended specification. However, for tasks which requires specialist software tools, you will be also allowed to use Prague Film Institute’s computer equipment. 

ComponentMinimum RequirementRecommended Requirement
CPUIntel COre i7 or AMD Ryzen 7Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9
RAM16 GB32 GB+
GPU4 GB VRAM8 GB+ VRAM
Media StorageSSD or RAIDSSD, Direct Attached RAID or NAD RAID (10 GbE)

What is Included

We understand that by choosing to study with us you are making a big financial commitment. The tuition fee of this course is 11  200 USD. We want to make sure you understand exactly what your tuition fee will cover when you decide to become a Prague Film Institute student.

  • Lectures, workshops & master classes
  • High production value final film
  • Showreel
  • Filmmaking equipment 
  • Access to editing room
  • Teaching materials
  • Discounts at our industry partners
    • 50% discount in Fundus of Barrandov Studios
    • up to 2 000 USD free rental of weapons & props at Three Brothers production company 
    • up to 70% discount of filmmaking equipment at LS Lumination Pictures

What is Not Included

  • Air fare
  • Visa fee & health insurance
  • Living expenses (housing, food, transportation)

Hovewer Prague is still cheaper than many European cities. The capital offers very safe living environment with high rating in housing and healthcare.

 

about us

our facilities

Our film school is situated in a building with award-winning directors, film equipment rental-house and professional post-production facilities. You will be surrounded by film professionals and have a chance to peek in the production workflow of the real film industry.

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