What is script writing?

Script writing is the act of writing a script or screenplay—the language and blueprint for film, television, show, video game, or any other audio-visual media. Screenplays can be fiction or nonfiction as well as original or based on a novel, play, or story. But unlike a novel, the script must enable the actors who read it to show the story to the audience rather than tell it. Most scripts do this through a mix of behavioral directions and dialogue.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in script writing?

If you enjoy telling stories, have a good imagination, and have always wanted to see your stories performed on TV or film, you're a good candidate for a career in script writing. However, if you'd like to make money at it, you'll need some patience, self-motivation, and perseverance. Selling scripts to producers and production companies is a competitive business. You'll typically work as a freelancer, and it could take years for you to find success. Other skills you'll need are creative writing, an understanding of filmmaking, and an understanding of the language of scripts.

How can taking online courses on Coursera help me learn script writing?

Taking online courses on Coursera can help you learn the basics of script writing or help you understand some of its elements. You can also take general creative writing courses. A course about writing a screenplay for film or television can help you learn how to write a feature-length script.

What are typical careers that use script writing?

If you study script writing, you more than likely want to become a script writer for a particular audio-visual medium, but there are other ways to use your skills and knowledge. You may go on to work in advertising, marketing, or copywriting. You can become a film or media critic. You can even dive further into the film industry by trying your hand at acting, talent management, or directing. You may also find that you simply like the act of writing so much that you want to become a novelist.

What are the benefits of taking an online Script Writing course?

Online Script Writing courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Script Writing skills. Choose from a wide range of Script Writing courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Script Writing courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Script Writing, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Script Writing Courses - Learn Script Writing Online

Explore the Script Writing Course Catalog

University of Maryland, College Park
Product Ideation, Design, and Management
Skills you'll gain: Stakeholder Management, Product Management, Product Development, New Product Development, Wireframing, Financial Statements, Product Design, User Experience Design, Team Leadership, Prototyping, Competitive Analysis, Financial Modeling, Value Propositions, Proposal Writing, Innovation, Corporate Finance, Target Market, Market Opportunities, Ideation, Product Improvement
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
677 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Atlassian
Version Control with Git
Skills you'll gain: Git (Version Control System), Version Control, GitHub, Bitbucket, Software Configuration Management, Command-Line Interface, Code Review, Collaborative Software, Graphical Tools
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of London
Introduction to Computer Science and Programming
Skills you'll gain: Computer Science, Debugging, Development Environment, Computer Systems, Web Applications, Graphing, Javascript, Computer Networking, Computational Thinking, Program Development, Arithmetic, Computer Graphics, Operating Systems, Computer Hardware, Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Modeling, Cybersecurity, Computer Programming, Problem Management, General Mathematics
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of Minnesota
Introduction to Software Testing
Skills you'll gain: Software Testing, JUnit, Verification And Validation, Unit Testing, Test Case, Test Automation, Development Testing, Test Planning, Code Coverage, Software Quality Assurance, Functional Testing, Testability, Integration Testing, Test Data, Issue Tracking
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
778 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
University of Colorado System
Database Management Essentials
Skills you'll gain: Database Design, Relational Databases, Data Modeling, Database Management Systems, Databases, Oracle Databases, SQL, Query Languages, PostgreSQL, Systems Design
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
3.4K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Lund University
European Business Law
Skills you'll gain: Intellectual Property, Legal Writing, Labor Law, Arbitration, Environmental Laws, Case Law, Legal Research, Tax Laws, Regulation and Legal Compliance, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Commercial Laws, Legal Strategy, Business, International Relations, Compliance Management, Business Strategy, European History, Competitive Analysis, Regulatory Compliance, Business Economics
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
IBM
IBM Mainframe Developer
Skills you'll gain: Mainframe Computing, COBOL (Programming Language), Software Development Life Cycle, z/OS, Unit Testing, Systems Analysis, Job Control Language (JCL), IBM DB2, Systems Development, Debugging, Pseudocode, Software Development Methodologies, Virtualization, Agile Methodology, Software Development, Virtualization and Virtual Machines, Test Driven Development (TDD), Programming Principles, Report Writing, Editing
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Intermediate · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
Shell Scripting with Bash: Basics
Skills you'll gain: Bash (Scripting Language), Shell Script, Scripting, Command-Line Interface, Unix Shell, Unix Commands, Linux Commands, File Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
52 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Javascript: The Basics
Skills you'll gain: Javascript, Back-End Web Development, Server Side, Front-End Web Development, Scripting, Event-Driven Programming, Web Applications, Mobile Development, HTML and CSS, Web Development
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
285 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Arizona State University
Inglés Empresarial
Skills you'll gain: Business Ethics, Sales Presentations, Meeting Facilitation, Graphic Design, English Language, Brainstorming, Negotiation, Purchasing, Verbal Communication Skills, Business Writing, Presentations, Product Planning, Telephone Skills, Communication, Marketing Materials, Business Communication, Business Planning, Employee Coaching, Financial Analysis, New Product Development
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2.1K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Microsoft
Data Analysis and Visualization with Power BI
Skills you'll gain: Dashboard, Power BI, Data Storytelling, Data Visualization Software, Data Presentation, Advanced Analytics, Statistical Reporting, Interactive Data Visualization, Report Writing, Management Reporting, Business Intelligence, Data Analysis, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Time Series Analysis and Forecasting
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
754 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Universidade Estadual de Campinas
Revisão Sistemática e Meta-análise
Skills you'll gain: Data Synthesis, Data Collection, Scientific Methods, Research, Research Design, Research Methodologies, Quantitative Research, Peer Review, Data Quality, Report Writing, Statistical Analysis, Qualitative Research, Risk Analysis, Conflict Management
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
2.9K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months