Certificate in Script Writing & Story Development (Intermediate)

Unit 1: Advanced Story Concepts & Story Structure

Theory Module

• Fundamentals of advanced storytelling
• Story idea development
• Theme, premise and logline
• Three-act story structure
• Plot points and turning points
• Conflict and dramatic tension
• Subplots and parallel storylines

Practical Module – Step by Step

1. Generate and evaluate story ideas
2. Develop a central theme and premise
3. Write a professional logline
4. Create a beginning, middle and ending
5. Identify major plot points
6. Develop a basic story outline
7. Present and refine the story concept

Unit 2: Character Development & Character Arcs

Theory Module

• Creating strong protagonists and antagonists
• Character goals, motivations and conflicts
• Character relationships
• Character backstory
• Internal and external conflict
• Character arcs and transformation
• Supporting characters

Practical Module – Step by Step

1. Create a protagonist profile
2. Develop an antagonist
3. Define character goals and motivations
4. Create character backstories
5. Design character relationships
6. Develop individual character arcs
7. Write a character-driven scene

Unit 3: Screenplay Writing & Scene Development

Theory Module

• Screenplay structure and formatting
• Scene headings and action lines
• Visual storytelling
• Scene objectives
• Dialogue structure
• Subtext and dramatic dialogue
• Transitions and pacing

Practical Module – Step by Step

1. Convert a story outline into scenes
2. Write scene headings and descriptions
3. Develop visual action
4. Write character-driven dialogue
5. Add conflict and subtext
6. Create scene transitions
7. Write and format a 5–10 page screenplay sequence

Unit 4: Dialogue Writing, Plot Development & Script Refinement

Theory Module

• Natural and engaging dialogue
• Dialogue for different characters
• Dramatic and comedic writing
• Pacing and suspense
• Plot consistency
• Subplots and scene continuity
• Script editing and rewriting techniques

Practical Module – Step by Step

1. Write dialogue for different character personalities
2. Create a conflict-based conversation
3. Rewrite weak or repetitive dialogue
4. Improve scene pacing
5. Develop a subplot
6. Check story continuity
7. Perform the first script revision
8. Conduct peer/script review

Unit 5: Professional Screenplay Development & Final Project

Theory Module

• Professional screenplay development workflow
• Script pitching and presentation
• Treatment and synopsis writing
• Character and scene breakdown
• Industry screenplay standards
• Copyright and originality basics
• Preparing a script portfolio

Practical Module – Step by Step

1. Select a final story concept
2. Develop the complete story outline
3. Prepare character profiles
4. Create a scene-by-scene breakdown
5. Write the screenplay
6. Edit and rewrite the first draft
7. Prepare synopsis and treatment
8. Format the final screenplay
9. Present and pitch the completed project

📅 Month-Wise Course Structure

Month 1

• Unit 1: Advanced Story Concepts & Story Structure
• Unit 2: Character Development & Character Arcs
• Unit 3: Screenplay Writing & Scene Development

Month 2

• Unit 4: Dialogue Writing, Plot Development & Script Refinement
• Unit 5: Professional Screenplay Development & Final Project

🎬 Final Project

Short Film Screenplay Development Project

• Original story concept
• Logline and synopsis
• Character profiles
• Story structure
• Scene breakdown
• Dialogue development
• Complete screenplay
• Final script presentation/pitch

Assessment

• Story idea development assignment
• Character development exercise
• Screenplay writing test
• Dialogue writing assignment
• Script editing and rewriting exercise
• Final screenplay project
• Script presentation and viva