Which are the best screenwriting courses, distance learning as well as on campus? preferably in the US.
The best places to go are USC and UCLA. Why? They have the best connections to the film industry so you'll usually be learning from those working in the industry or those at least closely connected to those doing just that.Beyond that, I'm not a huge advocate of taking multiple screenwriting courses. If you really want to learn, pick up the book The Screenwriter's Bible, which offers the basic knowledge you need. After that, pick up How NOT to Write a Screenplay, written by a fellow former studio reader. After that, read screenplays at www.mypdfscripts.com and watch movies. Study them. Then, save your money and purchase a copy of Final Draft. Finally, start writing.
I've been thinking about doing the 8 week screenwriting workshop at the New York Film Academy. Is it possible to actually learn how to write a script in such a short time?
You can learn to write a script in a day by reading a book about it.Learning to write a GOOD script can take years, and most people who try will never learn. I think it would be very unusual for someone to learn to write screenplays well in 8 weeks, and that would likely happen only if someone was already a good writer for other media when they started.If you can afford the time and money for the course, great. If you can't, don't -- and definitely don't max out your credit cards or take a loan. And don't expect that you'll come out of the course knowing how to write WELL or that you'll have a marketable skill or that it will help you get a job. So don't spend more than you'd blow on a vacation.
What will be the major benefit(s) of taking a diploma in screenwriting in a prestigious film academy?
When you graduate with a diploma in screenwriting, there are a few benefits, but it won’t be as comprehensive as a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. With the diploma in screenwriting, you may receive training in the following elements:Conceptualisation of an idea for film or the visual medium,Story Structure,workshopping your script for plot holes so you can go back and ‘fix’ problem areas,Free one on one consultation with a tutorial or lecture if you want additional help on their thoughts what you need to do when working on your script for the entire duration (and possibly six months after that),Examples of films made that were a success to use as a template for your own screenplay,Full access to a decent chunk of hard copies of screenplays at the student library, andNetworking events to start or further your career in screenwriting or the media business.Despite all of this, it can cost an arm and a leg to under go these programs and most of them these days do not offer much value for money. The screenwriting tutors and instructors teaching you screenwriting aren’t actually produced screenwriters in the business or professional script readers. If you want to learn screenwriting, the I would recommend finding someone who is both a screenwriter and or a reader that reads screenplays for a living.Having said this, if you are still interested, a good starting point is: ScreenwritingU.com. This was founded by Hal Croasmun. You will be taught screenplay writing from an expert as the business model for this institute is using the expert’s model. This institute conducts free one to hour seminars from time to time, so it might be worth checking out. Given that this can be done online and can cost less than a degree, you are well off as this institute truly has connections in the industry and interview people like agents. managers, big time creative producers, etc, etc.With the creative industry these days, not many people choose the diploma or Bachelor’s route, because if you are to ask someone like Peter Jackson or Quentin Tarantino, they learnt filmmaking and scriptwriting by themselves. George Lucas dropped out of film school when he conceptualised the original Star Wars trilogy.
Where Can I learn screenwriting in India?
I was too curious to learn screenwriting and went film school, attended workshops and read books but trust me most of them are saying same thing different way. One simple thing most of such option lack and that is implementation guide. Then one of my friend recommended online screenwriting tutorial made in Hindi language. Believe me, in this tutorial, The narrator/ instructor has shown how to identify an idea for film, how to proceed then, where to head, how to prepare document etc. The bottom line, they have discussed each stage of screenwriting in detail.Visit following link and check whether you are interested.Film Making Related Professional Tutorials in HindiDemerit of this online tutorials: They response to doubts in one or two days. Online registration is limited. Once it is over, need to wait couple of months. Video freezes some times. They are not issueing any certificates.If you want to learn the craft only with out bothering about certificate then these tutorials are best.They have youtube channel too where they upload various important tips and tricks , concepts related to film makingBest wishes. Fulfill Your Dream.
New York Tisch School of the Arts V.S. New York Film Academy?
Fees are astronomical at both schools. Both are widely respected. Both offer more than any one student can possibly learn.
Which college to Attend...NYU, Queens College, or Hunter College?
I am currently in the process of deciding upon which college to attend for the 2010-2011 year. I have received acceptances from certain colleges including Queens, Hunter, and NYU. While of course many might say NYU is the top of these three, many are also aware there tuition is an enourmous $37,000 a year! (Without dorming but I will not be dorming anyway as I live near all three schools). And I am attempting at all odds to avoid loans which will place me in debt for many years (if not decades) to come...what I'm wondering is (of course I would love to go to NYU its only the cost which, like for many, stands in the way) if I were to decide on NYU is there any sort of way I can help with the cost..I applied to the HSF scholarship but is there any other scholarships that are still open now?...are there any furthur financial aid options (I already submitted FASFA and am currently doing TAP) I can look into?...or is there anything else I can do?...to give you a look at how much my family may be able to pay, I currently attend Saint Francis Preparatory and the tuition we pay there (it is normally $7,000 a year but I got $1,000 scholarship from my old jr high) is a hassle sometimes... ALSO if it turns out it will still be too much to pay for NYU, is Queens College or Hunter College an overall better school...to give an idea of my majors I am interested in the following three fields: Computer Engineering, Psychology, Film and Writing (becoming a screenwriter and/or tv writer)...my aspiration is to enter the film industry and become a screenwriter and perhaps one day director...of course the film field is considered risky so I would need something to back it up (which is why I mentioned computer engineering and psychology as they are more "stable" and I have interest in them too..of course my dream remains in the film and writing industry)... I apologize for the long length of my question lol...I am aware of how long it is trust me as I am writing this question on a cell phone! Samsung moment is an amazing phone (no sprint did not pay me to say this lol)
How much is the course for Direction and Screenplay at FTII, Pune valid and important to today's cinema? Where do I see myself after the three year course?
I'm not sure what you mean by 'today's cinema'. As far as I know, cinema of any day needed a screenplay and a director at the helm. The more skilled, the better. Has this changed today? I don't think so.If you have a flippant attitude towards formal education, don't go to any school. Cinema school does not guarantee you anything, and your paper qualification may not mean anything in a work environment, but it can save you years in learning the essentials.If you put in as much care in writing your screenplay as you have in your question which currently reads - "Where do I myself after the three year course?", it won't matter what education you have or don't.The missing word could be 'find', 'put', 'take', 'invest', or 'bury'. Truthful answer - anywhere! It depends on a whole lot of factors, some in your control, some outside. If you have an interesting story or ten to tell, and you meet the right people, you could be making movies. If you have some great skill and it shows in your work or your showreel, that could help greatly. If none of the above happens, you could be exactly where you are today.The 'big break' is a highly unlikely event without work experience. Even if you come from a producer's family, they will want you to get relevant experience before they plonk any money on your project(s).So, if you want to take your shot, take it with reality guiding you, and keep learning. When you have put in ten thousand hours of the grind you will have a very good idea where you stand.