The 7+ Best Online Screenwriting Classes for 2025 [Free & Paid]

If you’ve ever watched a movie or TV show and thought, “I could write something like that,” then you’re in the right place!

I spent years enjoying movies and TV before I ever felt brave enough to try writing my first screenplay. Getting that first script written made me feel so accomplished. And now, more than ten years later, this is what I do full-time! What a ride.

I only wish I could have had access to these easy-to-take online screenwriting classes when I was starting out more than ten years ago!

In this article, we’ll navigate through the best online screenwriting classes available in 2024, both free and paid, to help you polish your skills and hopefully set you on the path toward your first screenplay.

Let’s get started!

What Are The Best Screenwriting Classes Online?

Let’s take a look at my top choices for online screenwriting courses.

1. Best Overall – Aaron Sorkin Teaches Screenwriting

If you want to learn screenwriting from one of the best in the business, check out Aaron Sorkin’s MasterClass! Known for his exceptional work on productions like “The West Wing,” “A Few Good Men,” and “The Social Network,” for which he won an Academy Award, Sorkin is a master of the craft.

In this comprehensive course, Sorkin provides an in-depth exploration of the art of screenwriting over 35 video lessons. The class covers key aspects of screenwriting, including the rules of story, dialogue, character development, and what to do after you’ve finished your script.

Throughout the course, Sorkin draws from his own experiences and scripts to provide real-world examples, which makes the learning experience relatable and highly practical. Like many Masterclass courses, this class also encourages interaction with writing exercises and a class workbook.

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2. Budget Choice – Micro-Budget Filmmaking: Screenwriting

If you’re an aspiring screenwriter and filmmaker with a vision but limited resources, Skillshare’s “Micro-Budget Filmmaking: Screenwriting” course is a great place to start. This film writing class is designed with the budget-conscious writer in mind.

This course goes beyond the basics of screenwriting, going into the art of choosing and refining your movie ideas for maximum success, even with limited resources. You’ll learn how to choose a passion project that you can realistically achieve and how to develop compelling characters that bring your story to life.

To streamline your screenwriting process, the course offers insights on time management as a writer, screenplay formatting, and various writing strategies and techniques. This class is one section of a five-part series on micro-budget filmmaking.

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3. For Beginners – Beginning Screenwriting Made EASY

If you’re starting your storytelling journey and need a guide, Udemy’s “Beginning Screenwriting Made EASY – Screenwriting Course” could be just the ticket. Absolute beginners won’t get overwhelmed by jargon and complex theories—this course serves up all the screenwriting essentials in a way that’s quick to pick up and, dare we say, fun.

Step by step, you’ll explore how to turn that awesome idea bouncing around your brain into a structured plot, complete with characters your audience will love (or love to hate!). Plus, you’ll learn the nitty-gritty of scriptwriting, like figuring out screenplay formatting.

Practical and time-saving, this course shows you that you don’t need a film school to learn how to write feature films.

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4. For a Certificate – Write A Feature Length Screenplay For Film Or Television

If you’ve been dreaming of penning a full-length screenplay for a movie or TV show, and you love getting certificates for your LinkedIn profile, Coursera’s “Write A Feature Length Screenplay For Film Or Television” is just what you need!

This course takes you on a structured screenwriting journey that leads you from concept to a pitch-ready script, all while boosting your confidence in your own creative abilities.

Here’s how it works: The course mimics a professional writers’ room process. You’ll write, share your work for peer review, and then incorporate the constructive feedback you receive to improve your script.

This collaborative process mirrors how real-world screenwriting works, giving you a taste of industry experience. And don’t worry if you’re a newbie – no prior writing experience is required.

The lectures are crisp, often just a couple of minutes long, and designed in a step-by-step fashion to make your scriptwriting journey as smooth as possible. At the end of it all, you’ll not only have a completed screenplay under your belt but also an official certificate to showcase your newly honed skills (if you pay for the course)!

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5. Best for TV – Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing for Television

Got your sights set on the small screen? Then you’ll want to learn from one of the best.

Enter Shonda Rhimes’ MasterClass, “Writing for Television.” Rhimes, the powerhouse behind hit shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” and “How to Get Away with Murder,” serves up her storytelling magic in a course that’s informative and inspiring.

Throughout the course, Rhimes offers an intimate look into the process of creating, developing, and bringing a TV series to life. You’ll get a deep dive into character development, crafting captivating storylines, and the ins and outs of running a writers’ room.

She even shares personal anecdotes and experiences from her career, giving you invaluable insight into the television industry. By the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge and techniques to create your own television series.

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6. For Quick Writers – Write a Movie in 14 Days

Ever dreamed of writing your own movie script but are not sure if you have the time?

Udemy’s “Write a Movie in 14 Days: Fast Screenwriting” is here to challenge that notion! This course is a high-speed sprint to your finished screenplay, led by Jordan Imiola, a produced screenwriter with over 25 credits under his belt and a track record of meeting deadlines (he’s worked with big names like Fox and Disney!). Updated in June 2023, the course has the most up-to-date industry insights.

In this course, Imiola will guide you on going from a blank page to a completed script in just two weeks. Yes, you read that right – two weeks! You’ll learn how to outline your movie, inject inspiration, plot scenes, and develop characters. The course even references successful films like “Happy Gilmore,” “Wonder Woman,” and “Jaws” to illustrate storytelling concepts.

By the time you wrap up the course, you’ll have a finished screenplay, along with a treasure trove of knowledge about screenplay and movie structure, scene plotting, character development, and how to gather inspiration from the cinema greats.

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7. For Characters and Dialogue – Learn To Write Movies

Dreaming of becoming a scriptwriter but unsure of where to start? Or maybe you’ve got a fantastic idea for a feature film but aren’t quite sure how to turn it into a movie script? Fret not! Skillshare’s “Learn To Write Movies: Screenwriting Step by Step” is here to show you the ropes.

This course is your personal tour guide through the world of screenwriting. It takes you from the spark of a concept through the creation of compelling heroes and villains and all the way to mastering the art of dialogue. It even includes practical exercises in the form of worksheets you fill out as you progress, helping to cement your understanding and build your script step by step.

The best part? By the time you finish this film writing course, you’ll understand how to create memorable, three-dimensional characters, how to weave a theme throughout your script, and how to keep readers hooked.

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8. Bonus Free Class: Writing the Short

Dive into the world of script writing with the compact yet powerful form of short scripts. Young Screenwriters’ free course, “Writing the Short,” offers an intense 5-week journey, taking you from zero to a captivating, shootable short script.

The course underscores the immense potential of short scripts: winning prestigious screenwriting contests, impressing industry insiders, and even acting as a springboard for your own short film. You’ll also learn the value of testing feature film ideas on a smaller scale. Most importantly, this course highlights the critical role of structure – the very foundation of your script.

Leveraging the instructor’s 20+ years of experience, you’ll gain insights from his encounters with industry professionals and studies of successful films. The end result? A solid understanding of screenwriting basics and a short script that can turn heads.

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Final Thoughts

Ready to take the plunge into the world of screenwriting? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. These online screenwriting classes are the perfect tools to elevate your skills and help you tell your story like a pro. They’re packed with all the know-how, strategies, and insider knowledge you need to really nail this screenwriting thing.

Screenwriting is so much more than just putting words on a page. It’s the art of creating unforgettable characters and stories and making your vision come alive on the screen. With these fantastic courses, you’ll learn how to master these skills and more.

In the end, learning the skills of screenwriting is just the first step. You also need to know story structure and how to write a good story! Take a look at any of the articles below to learn more!

Story Structure: 9 Powerful Narrative Structures for Writers

Examples of Themes in Books and Literature: Definition & Types