Have you ever dreamed of seeing a story you wrote come to life on the big screen? Do you love immersing yourself in impactful narratives and multi-dimensional characters? If so, you may be interested in pursuing a minor in screenwriting during your undergraduate degree.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about minors in screenwriting, including an overview of typical programs, the benefits they offer, potential career paths, and tips for putting your learning into practice. Read on to find out if a screenwriting minor is the right choice to develop your storytelling talents and launch your writing career!
Overview of a Screenwriting Minor Program
A screenwriting minor involves the study and practice of writing scripts specifically designed for film and television. It aims to provide foundational knowledge about creating compelling stories and characters that come alive onscreen.
While requirements vary between universities, most screenwriting minor programs consist of around 4-6 courses amounting to 15-20 credit hours. Some of the core courses you can expect to take include:
- Screenwriting Fundamentals: Introduces screenplay structure, formatting, developing characters, writing dialogue, and the basic building blocks of stories. You’ll study script samples and likely begin writing your own scenes or short scripts.
- Story Development: Focuses on developing engaging narratives with effective plot points, arcs, and payoffs. You’ll explore storytelling theory and analyze methods for improving drama, tension, and coherence.
- Screenplay Workshops: Provides the opportunity to have your in-progress scripts reviewed by peers and professors. You’ll learn to give and receive constructive feedback through writing workshops.
- Film/TV History: Examines the development of cinema and television, influential figures, movements, and styles. Understanding the history provides helpful context for screenwriters.
- Electives: Options like film production, critical studies, and acting for writers allow you to expand your skillset for screenwriting.
By completing the screenwriting minor curriculum, you’ll gain hands-on experience through writing exercises, workshops, and creating finished short screenplays.
Building this portfolio is invaluable preparation for further study in MFA screenwriting programs or pursuing writing jobs after graduation.
Benefits of Minoring in Screenwriting
Why should you consider adding this minor to your undergraduate major and courses? Here are some of the main benefits:
- Learn Storytelling Structures: Dissecting scripts, narratives, hero’s journeys, and three-act structures—you’ll become well-versed in effective storytelling techniques for the screen.
- Plot Development Skills: Classes will teach you how to generate compelling ideas, introduce conflict, craft plot twists, and resolve storylines in satisfying ways.
- Create Dimensional Characters: You’ll study how to write dialogue, backstories, character motivations, relationships, and growth arcs to produce relatable, interesting characters.
- Succinct, Visual Writing: Screenwriting requires writing tight, sparse, easily translatable scenes. Minoring will improve your economical word choices.
- Insight into Film/TV: Learn how the industry works, terminology, and formats, as well as the business side of getting scripts sold and produced.
- Portfolio Building: Course assignments allow you to create scripts for a writing sample portfolio—a huge asset when pursuing screenwriting jobs.
- Networking Opportunities: Get to know peers and professors who may connect you to writing opportunities down the road.
By honing your skills in succinct and visual storytelling, a screenwriting minor can expand your creative horizons and story craft. The knowledge also crosses over into careers like playwriting, journalism, marketing, and more.
Career Paths with a Screenwriting Minor
What kinds of jobs and opportunities can a screenwriting minor lead to? Here are some potential career directions:
- Novelist: Storytelling, character development, and scene-writing skills translate well to writing novels. A minor can kickstart your fiction writing.
- Playwright: There’s an overlap in techniques for crafting stories for the stage versus screen. Many successful playwrights also write for film/TV.
- Journalist: news writing demands tight, vivid, and compelling writing —useful skills that a screenwriting minor enhances.
- Copywriter: Marketing and ad agencies look for writers with imagination and storytelling ability—both honed through screenwriting courses.
- Content Creator: skills in developing narratives, characters, and compelling media content are invaluable for content creation roles.
- Script Reader: gain entry-level experience reading and evaluating scripts for production companies or agencies.
- Writers’ Assistant: support screenwriters by researching, organizing notes, scheduling, and administration tasks.
- Script Coordinator: plays a key logistical role in getting scripts from writers to producers during productions.
- MFA Programs: top screenwriting MFA programs welcome candidates with undergraduate writing minors and portfolio samples.
The critical thinking, creative storytelling, and writing skills gained make screenwriting minors attractive candidates for many writing and content-based roles. A minor can pave the way to an exciting career bringing stories to life through words.
Putting Your Screenwriting Learning into Practice
Once you complete your minor program, how can you continue nurturing your screenwriting skills and work towards writing professionally? Here are some suggested next steps:
- Write Daily: set aside time to write each day, even if just for 30 minutes. Regular practice strengthens writing muscles.
- Join Workshops: find free or paid screenwriting workshops to continue getting peer feedback. Many are offered virtually.
- Enter Contests: submit your scripts to reputable competitions like Nicholl Fellowship and Austin Film Festival. Feedback and exposure can lead to opportunities.
- Develop Your Own Scripts: use your knowledge to create original pilot episodes, shorts, or features to build your portfolio.
- Network: Connect with student filmmakers to collaborate on creating scripts for their productions. Build relationships in the local film community.
- Research Productions Companies: identify those accepting submissions from new writers so you can pitch your work.
- Get an Internship: look for entry-level positions with production companies, agencies, and writers’ rooms to gain insider experience.
- Build an Online Presence: create a website to showcase writing samples and use social media to connect with other writers.
With dedication and perseverance, a screenwriting minor can open doors to actualizing your writing goals after college. Turn your creativity into a career doing what you love—telling compelling stories through unforgettable characters that come to life on screen.
The Complete Screenwriting Picture
For any aspiring writer, a minor in screenwriting offers invaluable foundations in cinematic storytelling and scriptwriting.
Core courses teach the conventions and skills needed to develop narratives, worlds, and characters that leap off the page. Electives allow you to expand your creative horizons.
Through studying craft, workshopping scripts, and building a portfolio, a screenwriting minor prepares you for further study in MFA programs, screenwriting jobs, and other writing careers.
Bringing your artistic vision to screens large and small starts with embracing every learning opportunity during your undergraduate years.
If you’re ready to step into the world of visual storytelling, a screenwriting minor deserves a spot on your radar. Check program options, speak with academic advisors, and get ready to transform your creativity into skills tailor-made for the film and TV industry.
With dedication and passion, you can begin your journey to seeing your stories come to life from the writer’s room to the big screen!
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree is good for screenwriting?
A Bachelor’s degree in Film, Creative Writing, or English can provide a strong foundation for screenwriting. Many aspiring screenwriters pursue Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees specifically in Screenwriting as well.
What are the stages of screenwriting?
The main stages of the screenwriting process are concept/premise, outline, treatment, first draft, revisions, polishing, and final draft ready for production.
What is a screenwriting degree called?
Common names for specialized screenwriting degrees include MFA in Screenwriting, MFA in Screen and Television Writing, MFA in Film and Television Writing, and BFA or BA in Screenwriting.
Can you get into screenwriting without a degree?
It’s possible to break into screenwriting without a specific degree, especially with a strong writing portfolio. But degree programs provide helpful knowledge, skills, and industry connections.
What do most screenwriters major in?
Many screenwriters major in film, creative writing, English literature, theater, or communications as undergraduates before specializing in screenwriting. Related majors can build essential writing abilities.
Is screenwriting a stable career?
Screenwriting can be unstable due to the project-based nature of the industry. Having versatility and multiple income streams improves stability for professional screenwriters.
What is the golden rule of screenwriting?
“Show, don’t tell” is considered the golden rule of screenwriting. Visuals and dialogue should reveal information implicitly rather than explicit explanations.
What are the three C’s of screenwriting?
The three C’s are Character, Conflict, and Change. Effective screenwriting hinges on these key elements.
Is screenwriting a hard major?
Screenwriting is considered a challenging major due to the critical feedback, revision requirements, and the need for creativity on demand during courses. But it is very rewarding.
