Deadline to register for our January 2026 sessions is December 26, 2025.
Offered as an in-person or virtual weekly class — learn the art and craft of screenwriting for film and television over 8 weeks.
Bring your ideas to life on the page and discover the art of visual storytelling through screenwriting. Whether you’re brand new to writing or looking to refine your storytelling craft, this course provides a supportive space to explore the structure, language, and emotion behind great scripts.
Over 8 weeks, you’ll learn the technical and creative processes of screenwriting — from developing characters and building story worlds to understanding genre, structure, and formatting for film and television. Through guided writing exercises, feedback sessions, and industry insights, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to turn your ideas into a compelling, cinematic story.
By the end of the course, each student will have completed an original short screenplay and a deeper understanding of the storytelling process that drives film and television writing.
Topics covered include but are not limited to:
fundamentals of screenwriting
formatting a screenplay
character development
three act plot structure
pacing
revision process through table readings & feedback
Outside of Class Commitment: Students are expected to dedicate time each week to writing and revising their scripts. Instructors provide ongoing support and feedback throughout the writing process.
MORE INFORMATION
Location:This course is offered in person at the Austin School of Film in our iMac computer lab at The Clayton. and virtually via live weekly sessions. All materials, templates, and examples are provided for use during the course. To learn more about our locations, visit this link.
Who Should Attend: Ideal for aspiring writers, filmmakers, and creatives interested in storytelling for film and television. Open to all experience levels — no prior writing or filmmaking experience required. Students must be 16 years or older to enroll.
Supplies & Materials: All students will receive access to course materials, writing templates, and software recommendations. In-person students may bring their own laptops but we will have computers onsite as well, while virtual students will need a computer and reliable internet connection to participate in live sessions.
Course Structure: This course is designed for beginners and offers both in-person and virtual learning options to accommodate different learning preferences. The curriculum and in-class time are the same for both structures.
Virtual classes are hosted on Google Classroom, and participants will receive a link to join in their reminder email. Students enrolled in the virtual option can join from anywhere — we’ve welcomed participants from across the United States, reflecting the program’s nationwide reach and accessibility. For the best experience, we recommend a stable internet connection for all virtual sessions.
Certification: This course, along with all Austin School of Film programs, is approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.*
HOW CAN I START A PAYMENT PLAN?
Anyone is eligible for a payment plan for any class if they need it! Email us to get started on a payment plan at classes@austinfilmschool.org. We require 50% of the tuition cost at registration and can divide the remaining balance in up to 2 additional equal payments.
Schedule:
Receive a notification when a seat becomes available in this class!
Deadline to register for our January 2026 sessions is December 26, 2025.
Offered as an in-person or virtual weekly class — learn the art and craft of screenwriting for film and television over 8 weeks.
Bring your ideas to life on the page and discover the art of visual storytelling through screenwriting. Whether you’re brand new to writing or looking to refine your storytelling craft, this course provides a supportive space to explore the structure, language, and emotion behind great scripts.
Over 8 weeks, you’ll learn the technical and creative processes of screenwriting — from developing characters and building story worlds to understanding genre, structure, and formatting for film and television. Through guided writing exercises, feedback sessions, and industry insights, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to turn your ideas into a compelling, cinematic story.
By the end of the course, each student will have completed an original short screenplay and a deeper understanding of the storytelling process that drives film and television writing.
Topics covered include but are not limited to:
fundamentals of screenwriting
formatting a screenplay
character development
three act plot structure
pacing
revision process through table readings & feedback
Outside of Class Commitment: Students are expected to dedicate time each week to writing and revising their scripts. Instructors provide ongoing support and feedback throughout the writing process.
MORE INFORMATION
Location:This course is offered in person at the Austin School of Film in our iMac computer lab at The Clayton. and virtually via live weekly sessions. All materials, templates, and examples are provided for use during the course. To learn more about our locations, visit this link.
Who Should Attend: Ideal for aspiring writers, filmmakers, and creatives interested in storytelling for film and television. Open to all experience levels — no prior writing or filmmaking experience required. Students must be 16 years or older to enroll.
Supplies & Materials: All students will receive access to course materials, writing templates, and software recommendations. In-person students may bring their own laptops but we will have computers onsite as well, while virtual students will need a computer and reliable internet connection to participate in live sessions.
Course Structure: This course is designed for beginners and offers both in-person and virtual learning options to accommodate different learning preferences. The curriculum and in-class time are the same for both structures.
Virtual classes are hosted on Google Classroom, and participants will receive a link to join in their reminder email. Students enrolled in the virtual option can join from anywhere — we’ve welcomed participants from across the United States, reflecting the program’s nationwide reach and accessibility. For the best experience, we recommend a stable internet connection for all virtual sessions.
Certification: This course, along with all Austin School of Film programs, is approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.*
HOW CAN I START A PAYMENT PLAN?
Anyone is eligible for a payment plan for any class if they need it! Email us to get started on a payment plan at classes@austinfilmschool.org. We require 50% of the tuition cost at registration and can divide the remaining balance in up to 2 additional equal payments.
ABOUT YOUR INDUSTRY EDUCATOR
Matthew Hemenway is an Austin-based animator, musician, painter, and filmmaker with a dynamic career spanning commercial, artistic, and feature film projects.
Matthew’s diverse body of work includes videos for musicians, travel brands, tech startups, nonprofits, and government agencies. In 2020, he joined acclaimed rotoscope studio Minnow Mountain, where he contributed to Richard Linklater’s Netflix feature Apollo 10 ½ and season two of the Prime Video series Undone. A graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Film and Media Production, Matthew also brings his artistic talents to the stage as a violinist with the Austin Philharmonic Orchestra.
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