UCLA Extension winter holiday closure: December 21 through January 1. Learn More

Feature Film Writing Conservatory

SCRIPT X 413

Complete a Feature Film Certificate as you take a script from concept to completion, with weeks devoted to professional development and revision practices.

READ MORE ABOUT THIS COURSE
Live Online
Starting at $6,000.00
As few as 35 weeks
18.0

What you can learn.

  • Work collaboratively in a small cohort of students to create and polish a new script
  • Participate in 5 weeks of professional development to prepare you for an industry career
  • Draft a new project under the mentorship of a master instructor with years of real-world experience
  • Receive a Certificate in Feature Film Writing upon completion of this single course

About this course:

In this highly intensive, focused, and collaborative environment with a cohort of select students, you start with a new feature film story concept and develop it into a dynamic, compelling, market-ready screenplay in 9 months.  You learn how to articulate a personal vision while balancing the intuitive with the technical. Throughout the process, your originality is encouraged as you’re guided to create complex characterizations, a powerful dynamic structure, thematic subtext, and tell your story visually. The workshop allows for in-depth analysis of each participant’s work, along with brain-storming and problem-solving sessions. Professional development is another key component to having a successful writing career. Topics including forming business relationships, pitching in meetings, preparing for rejection/success, submitting to competitions and fellowships, etc., is also covered. Lastly, you take your completed screenplay drafts and polish them to be ready to take out to agents, producers, studios, and networks. Upon completion, you receive complimentary benefits such as, a certificate in Feature Film Writing, a one-on-one consult, and a one year WP Now membership. 
Prerequisites

Submit your strongest writing sample that showcases your storytelling abilities, such as the first ten pages of a screenplay, a short story, article, play, etc.  Also attach a two-to-three page personal statement, a resume, plus up to three loglines for a new project you wish to develop in the course. Participants will not be charged the full course fee unless they are selected for the series.

Admission to this course is by application only and the selection process is competitive. It is recommended that students take intermediate-level courses prior to submitting their work. When this course is open for enrollment, click "See Details" for application guidelines and quarterly application deadlines.

Winter 2025 Schedule

Date & Time
Details
Format
 
-
Monday, Thursday 6:00PM - 9:00PM PT
Available
See Details
Instructor: Donald Martin
401040
Fee:
$6,000.00
Live Onlineformat icon
Location: Remote Classroom
Notes

This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

No meetings January 20, February 17, March 31, April 3, May 26, June 19; September 1 & 4.

Enrollment limited to 8 students; early enrollment advised. Restricted course; approval needed to enroll. Not eligible for any discounts. Visitors not permitted. No refund after enrolling.

The extended application deadline is Monday,  December 16, 2024 at 9am (PT).  Please do not delay as the priority deadline for those already submitted has passed.

Instructions for Submitting to the Conservatory:

Click on “Enroll” then follow the prompts to check out and create a new account, or enter your information as a returning student. Then, follow the remaining instructions below:

  1. At the “Contact Information” Page, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page and initial both boxes under “Privacy Policies.” Continue Checkout.
  2. Click “Start” on the first Application page.
  3. On the 2nd Application page, click “Start” on the bottom left side of the page.

NOTE: despite being asked to enter payment information, YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED for this course unless you choose to enroll if / when you receive a notice of acceptance for the course. In other words, it’s 100% free to apply. The full course fee will be due up front to register, prior to attending the course. Since enrollment is restricted there are no applicable discountable promos available for this course.

Selection notices will likely be distributed via email 1 to 2 weeks before the class is scheduled to start. In the meantime, you can also register for alternative open-enrollment course and transfer upon your acceptance.

Refund Deadline
No refunds after January 06, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
(Optional) Book: SCREENPLAY REV & UPD by FIELD, SYD
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Online
Mon Jan 13, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Jan 16, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Jan 23, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Jan 27, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Jan 30, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Feb 3, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Feb 6, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Feb 10, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Feb 13, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Feb 20, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Feb 24, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Feb 27, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Mar 3, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Mar 6, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Mar 10, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Mar 13, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Mar 17, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Mar 20, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Mar 24, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Mar 27, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Apr 7, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Apr 10, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Apr 14, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Apr 17, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Apr 21, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Apr 24, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Apr 28, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu May 1, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon May 5, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu May 8, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon May 12, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu May 15, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon May 19, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu May 22, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu May 29, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Jun 2, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Jun 5, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Jun 9, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Jun 12, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Jun 16, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Jun 30, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Jul 3, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Jul 7, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Jul 10, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Jul 14, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Jul 17, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Jul 21, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Jul 24, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Jul 28, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Jul 31, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Aug 4, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Aug 7, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Aug 11, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Aug 14, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Aug 18, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Aug 21, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Aug 25, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Aug 28, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Mon Sep 8, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning
Online
Thu Sep 11, 2025
6:00PM PT - 9:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Remote Learning

Contact Us

Speak to a student advisor. Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.
Ready to start
your future?
By signing up, you agree to UCLA Extension’s Privacy Policy.

vector icon of building

Corporate Education

Learn how we can help your organization meet its professional development goals and corporate training needs.

Learn More

vector icon of building

Donate to UCLA Extension

Support our many efforts to reach communities in need.

Innovation Programs

Student Scholarships

Lifelong Learning

See More