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
Understand screenwriting from pitching to forming business relationships to submitting to competitions
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 an Award of Completion, 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.
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 19, February 16, March 23 & 26, April 27, May 25, June 15 & 18, July 27 & 30.
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 priority deadline for applications is December 1, 2025 by 10:00 AM PT. Applications submitted after this date are not guaranteed consideration.
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:
At the “Contact Information” Page, be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page and initial both boxes under “Privacy Policies.” Continue Checkout.
Click “Start” on the first Application page.
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 December 29, 2025
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
CUT TO THE CHASE: Writing Feature Films with the Pros at UCLA Extension Writers' Program
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