Interested in learning the skills of scriptwriting? Would you like to turn your love of plays and dialogue into an exciting new career or rewarding hobby writing for the big or small screen? The craft of scriptwriting is what our course is all about, and once you understand the process and presentation techniques, the market will seem less daunting than you first thought.

Certainly there's money to be made, as well as glamour and fame to be found, but becoming a successful scriptwriter demands more than just straightforward writing skills - you must also develop the additional know-how to write for both visual and sound effect. Because it reflects the needs of today's television, film, stage and radio markets, Courses Direct's scriptwriting course provides you with these skills, along with industry insights and practical knowledge.

Your tutor will show you how to see your scripts from a producer's viewpoint, and how to formulate fundamental ideas and essential qualities that must be present in all work. You learn how to apply your new-found expertise to every type of television and film script, from comedies to soap operas through to the next big blockbuster.

Throughout the five modules and eight assignments, you learn the importance of timing, how to use silence for better effect, the dos and don'ts of building characters and dialogue, rewriting and polishing your work, as well as creating inspiring titles. From developing characters through action (rather than narrative) and writing effective dialogue, to formulating fundamental ideas and script presentation, we teach you the skills you need to successfully achieve your scriptwriting ambition.

• Introduction to scriptwriting
• Writing for radio
• Writing for television
• Telemovies, sitcoms, soaps and plays
• Feature films

INTRODUCTION TO SCRIPTWRITING
Discover the basics of scriptwriting for television, film, stage and radio. For most writers it can be difficult to know where to start; however, in this module we point you in the right direction! You learn how to understand the audience, where to begin with your writing and how to generate ideas.

WRITING FOR RADIO
This module concentrates specifically on writing for radio and how to conduct interviews. You discover the fundamentals of radio plays, the correct usage of dialogue and characterisation, as well as learning how to research your market.

WRITING FOR TELEVISION
Here we deal with writing for television, and you learn about meaningful dialogue, as well as the use of sub-plots and scene setting. We introduce you to the different TV and scriptwriting formats, and show you how to market your work. There's even a handy glossary of scriptwriting terms.

TELEMOVIES, SITCOMS, SOAPS AND PLAYS
Taking on a new form, this module introduces the genre of telemovies, sitcoms, soaps and stage plays. You learn about introducing controversial subjects, cliff-hangers, sub-plots and tangles. By the end of the module you will have gained an understanding of meshing characters and polishing your script.

FEATURE FILMS
This module, dealing with feature film writing, shows you how to develop your story through the creation of various Acts. It explores the discipline of writing and putting down ideas on paper, and how to build scenes and find the story's rhythm. Re-writes are vital for a polished piece of writing, and you learn how to assess your own work, as well as promotion and dealing with agents.