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Back to Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV or Web Series (Project-Centered Course)

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV or Web Series (Project-Centered Course) by Michigan State University

4.5
stars
737 ratings

About the Course

What you’ll achieve: In this project-centered course*, you will design a series bible and write a complete pilot episode for your own unique television or web series, be it drama or comedy or something in between. You’ll learn to break down the creative process into components, and you’ll discover a structured process that allows you to produce a polished and pitch-ready script in just a few weeks. Completing this project will increase your confidence in your ideas and abilities, and you’ll feel prepared to pitch your first script and get started on your next. Here is a link to a trailer for the course. To view the trailer, please copy and paste the link into your browser. https://vimeo.com/423035246/6b3c18c4c5 This is a course designed to tap into your creativity and is based in "Active Learning". Most of the actual learning takes place within your own activities - that is, writing! You will learn by doing. "Thank you so much for your direct way of teaching this course. It was encouraging for us all to creatively flow and find our own voice in writing and developing our scripts. This aspect was very important to me." Ingrid The course curriculum is simple: you’ll write, revise your work, and share feedback with your peers. I am a proponent of Experiential Learning (active learning). My lectures are short (sometimes just two minutes long) and to the point, designed in a step-by-step process essential to your success as a script writer. I will guide you but I won’t "show" you how to write. I firmly believe that the only way to become a writer is to write, write, write. “David's lecture style for this course is inspired. The videos are succinct and engaging. When I watch the lectures I feel David’s sincere desire for me to create something truly amazing. He is teaching us how to write a script, and he is providing wisdom and tools that will help us do so in a compelling way - by writing; not by watching him talk at us.” - A R Adamson What you’ll need to get started: To begin with, any basic word processor will do. During week two, you can choose to download some free scriptwriting software such as Celtx or Trelby or you may choose to purchase Final Draft, or you can continue to use your word processor and do your own script formatting. Learner Review: "I am in love with this course. Having never written a script before, or any substantive fiction since college (15 years ago) I had a small idea in my head that has now exploded into something I really believe in. David's guidance is spot on, he's his own compelling story teller, he gives you enough, and then you have to figure it out, make it happen, WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! " If you have any concerns regarding the protection of your original work, Coursera's privacy policy protects the learner's IP and you are indeed the sole owners of your work. *About Project-Centered Courses: This is a ‘project-centered course’, which means it is designed specifically to help you complete a personally meaningful real-world project, with your instructor and a community of learners with similar goals providing guidance and suggestions along the way. By actively applying new concepts as you learn, you’ll master the course content more efficiently; you’ll also get a head start on using the skills you gain to make positive changes in your life and career. When you complete the course, you’ll have a finished project that you’ll be proud to use and share. Time: 1-2 hours of study, 30+ hours of active project work...

Top reviews

AA

Jun 13, 2016

David Wheeler is awesome, and I love this course! I am so glad that Coursera and Michigan State University have partnered to offer this course to those of us who have a thirst for learning! Thank you!

MT

Jan 10, 2017

Amazing course. Without useless talking, we are immediately thrown into action, and start working immediately. This course helped me gain priceless empiric experience, and finally start writing.

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51 - 75 of 291 Reviews for Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV or Web Series (Project-Centered Course)

By Annette C

Jul 15, 2020

Excellent course for the novice screen writer! I took the course as a means of expanding on an idea for a novel. In addition to producing a 30 minute screenplay for a TV episode, I was able to take what I had learned back to the novel and there, incorporate the "visuals" for far richer text experience. (Now, if only I can recreate the magic for some of my backlist.)

By Kannan V

Jun 30, 2020

After completing Write a feature length screenplay, I wanted to explore this too. Was pleasantly surprised to see the mentors here. David was fantastic, as before.

I would strongly recommend people interested in writing to take up this one too, this throws a new challenge and when you’re able to complete....Boy! The satisfaction is immense... Go for it !

By Teresa E

May 5, 2018

This course is very fast paced and challenging but I really loved it. It doesn't leave enough time for self doubt and really forces you to actually do some writing. I would recommend this course for first time writers but also for more experienced writers who need a deadline and a structure to get them to write and to finish something. Love the course!

By Simran K

Feb 13, 2020

This was my first course on coursera and I am so glad I started with this. I have learned how much effort is put into making a script and this journey couldn't have been easy without the efforts of the mentor. I loved how we were given the basic guidelines and asked to work through things, really made me feel like i have truly earned the certificate.

By Kathy J

Aug 25, 2020

this was something I have never done - creative writing. It was fun. I enjoyed the videos and the work was just enough to keep it fast paced. I really enjoyed reading other submissions, so unique. Loved the different takes on episodes. there is a lot of talent, wish we could get something other than cop and medical shows on network tv.

By Deepanjan P

Apr 20, 2017

A great course to wake yourself up and get running in the world of script writing. I recommend this course to every individual who is ready to work and earn rather than just buying a online certificate. Finally David sir small but powerful video sessions are excellent. Do not go by the length of the videos. They are absolutely to the point.

By Afnan L

Dec 30, 2017

This course had me write my first completed pilot episode. I enjoyed the process of being critical about my writing. I would have loved if the instructor provided some theory into the course as well. It seemed more like a workshop than an academic course. Being able to speak "expert" lingo and jargon helps in getting ahead in the industry.

By Zahraa

Oct 5, 2020

At the end of this course, I got exactly what I asked for, A full length screen-play. I learned so much beyond that, such as making a series-bible, pitching a storyline, and understanding how to make a good logline. 10/10. It was lots of fun too, no long videos with extra unwanted information, straight to the point and educational.

By Ameer Q

Jun 12, 2017

A big thank to David Wheeler, it's a lovely way to teach about the script writing. I'm very much happy that by taking that course I wrote my first TV Pilot, and its not only writing, I learned what made me stop to write. off-course I'm not perfect not but now I earned the craft to write and learn more. Thank you for this Course.

By Luis C

Oct 6, 2016

Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV Course changed my life. I took several courses in Coursera at the time, but this was the most engaging. It really made want to learn and to achieve the goal of producing a final script. I recommend it to all who look for a real way to understand the process of writing for a TV show.

By Gill K

Aug 6, 2019

I loved this - wanted a "companion" to keep me going on the latest script idea - and found many! David's course is really user-friendly and introduced me to new approaches which made the process much easier than what I've done in the past. I've got a first draft I'm genuinely happy with - very highly recommend this!

By Abraham G V

May 11, 2019

I enjoyed the experience of having to create my own story from scratch. I thought I knew everything about creating characters and scripts, but it turns out it's a little bit more complex than I expected. Anyways, I enjoyed it very much and want to keep creating more and more amazing stories to share with the world.

By Deleted A

Jun 20, 2017

No plans to be a script writer but now have an appreciation of those so engaged. A very demanding profession with creativity on a deadline. Not for me, but respect for those so engaged. Additionally, able to watch and appreciate the structure of content ... definitely enhanced viewing and reading .. forsooth.

By Christina B

Jun 5, 2020

Great experience and feedback from participants. I do wish there was a way to respond to comments for the specific assignments. Some people asked questions (TA included) that I didn't get a chance to respond to. But all in all, great course. I'm presently taking the course for to complete a screenplay.

By Fonda J

Nov 15, 2016

This was a great course for anyone who has ever wanted to try their hand at script writing. I am brand new to script writing and I applied every lesson I learned in this course and did some research on my own to develop my pilot. You will feel accomplished once you complete this class, it is worth it!

By Nischal S

Jun 6, 2020

I learned what i always wanted to and have wrote something spectacular, hope you see my work in the coming years. The guide helps to execute our vision step by step and we get to learn how to write what we think in a right sequential manner. A great platform for someone who is new to script writing.

By Charlotte P

Oct 4, 2018

This class has motivated me to write the pilot of a story that I had in mind for a couple of weeks and I love it. Compared to other online classes, I love that we have feedback from other classmates. However, I would have liked the teacher to tell us more information on how to write a good script.

By Margot R M

Jun 8, 2016

Eventually I got my head around it. It was a challenging but I was concerned about being told to 'just do it' when I had no idea what I was just to do. I think the beginning was a little confusing, and also reading others scripts when there was no background to understand where it was going.

By Jacinta D V

Mar 22, 2024

The lecture videos were very straightforward; thanks to this course I was able to get the ball rolling on writing down an idea I've had for almost half of my life. Whether or not I do manage to make a living in film/entertainment some day, I'm eternally grateful for this experience.

By Nathaniel K

Feb 22, 2018

I loved this course. It walked me through Screenwriting step by step. It was almost like I was tricked into writing my first script. My only tip is don't be afraid to write something bad, finishing a crappy script is way more fun a beneficial than only starting a perfect script.

By EDUARDO V S

Sep 6, 2019

More than EVER, we need good storytellers. Put a human face on The Other. Shed light on a Deeper Truth. Engender Empathy. Fan the flames of Hope. Motivate people to Act. Make us Laugh. Make us Cry. Make us Thrilled. Make us Think. But mostly, make us feel our Shared Humanity

By Daniella H

Mar 13, 2016

I'm actually writing my first TV series pilot. This is the furthest I've ever gotten. I love this course. Thanks to David Wheeler, everyone at Michigan State University and Coursera for making this accessible to so many. Sending tons of gratitude from Daniella Horsford.

By Tabinda H

Oct 19, 2017

This was one of the best experiences I ever had. It was truly amazing to see my script come together bit by bit, with every piece a story in itself. I would highly recommend this course to everyone out there who loves to write. It just gives you so much satisfaction.

By Yassmin A

May 28, 2021

I learned what a cold open was, writing a show bible, formatting a screenplay, development of characters, and breaking down my script into acts. Kept me engaged with homework and the reviewing of the work of fellow peers. Will absolutely be taking this course again.

By Iris D

Sep 22, 2017

I really enjoyed the writing process! I had had an idea for a series for quite some time so I think this just helped me push me to actually write it - and taught me how to write it, as I knew nothing about scripts before. Very happy I decided to take the course.