Story Development for Screenwriting

By completing Southern Oregon University’s 12-credit badge in Story Development for Screenwriting, students demonstrate their ability to pitch and develop screen stories for film and television. The Story Development for Screenwriting badge provides a strong foundation for students interested in securing entry-level employment in the entertainment industry as a script reader or writer’s assistant, in pursuing a screenwriting fellowship, or, when completed as part of their undergraduate degree, in applying to graduate programs in screenwriting. Students will complete the badge with a portfolio of screenwriting work samples.

Completed your requirements and ready to collect your badge? Apply to receive your micro-credential badge here.

Required Courses

Three 4-credit courses.

DCIN 200: Storytelling Foundations – 4 credits
DCIN 331: Screenwriting I: The Short Script – 4 credits
DCIN 332: Screenwriting II: Features & Pilots – 4 credits

Additional Requirements

Minimum C- grade in each class. In the course of completing the required credits, students will exit with a portfolio of screenwriting work samples.

Learning Outcomes/Competencies

Elements of Story: plot, character, exposition, narration, focalization, genre, and theme.
Story Structure: classical three-act structure, “heroes journeys,” and non-linear/alternative story models.
Audience Engagement: identifying and writing for a target audience.
Script Development: breaking a story, outlining, writing treatments and series bibles, writing industry coverage, and collaborating in a writers’ room.
Scripting Format Conventions: industry format for film and television scripts and using professional screenwriting software.
Script Sales & Dealmaking: pitching, copyright, options, agents and managers, the WGA, contests and fellowships, and industry meetings.