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Screenwriting: From Ideation to Writing Your First Script
Learn on your own time and earn a Certificate of Completion.
Program Overview
Transform your idea into a short film that is ready to be pitched. Get insights and exercises from instructor Gabe Sachs’ own writing experience, as well as tips from his collaborators in the film industry.
You’ll learn how to generate ideas and develop them into a script with a well-structured arc, memorable characters, visual storytelling and engaging dialogue.
At the end of this course, you will not only have a completed script for a short film — you’ll also be prepared to begin pitching your work and get it out into the world.
Key Information
Featured Topics
- Story ideas
- Building memorable characters
- Structuring your story
- Writing realistic dialogue
- Telling your story visually
- Writing and rewriting
Learning Outcomes
- Build a screenwriting portfolio for your college applications
- Develop story ideas with the help of industry-tested exercises
- Learn how to create memorable characters
- Write scenes that combine engaging dialogue with strong visual storytelling
- Structure a clear, compelling narrative arc for the beginning, middle and end of your story
- Take your script from synopsis to first draft
- Get tips on how to pitch your project and navigate the industry
Format and Course Length
- This course consists of recorded lectures, clips and case studies from film and television and industry connections. Each topic provides context for key elements of developing a script from start to finish. Students will engage with creative exercises to generate and revise work in order to complete the course with a screenplay for a short film.
- Combined coursework of recorded lectures, readings and assignments is approximately 20–25 hours, to be completed at the student’s own pace.
- Students are expected to complete the course in four weeks but will have 90 days of access if more time is needed.
Featured Faculty
In this course, you’ll learn from Gabe Sachs, a writer and producer known for television projects that include Freaks and Geeks, Just Shoot Me, Undeclared, Life As We Know It, 90210 and The Night Shift.
He co-wrote the feature films Diary of A Wimpy Kid and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules, which topped the U.S. box office on its opening weekend. Gabe was also an executive producer on the movie Magic Camp. He is also an accomplished photographer, known for compelling portraits, and co-hosts the podcast I Dream of Cameras, which reviews the most talked-about camera equipment and explores camera choice and collecting. He is also a judge for the James Beard Awards, which celebrates American food culture. Gabe is an alumnus of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. His creative partner is writer and director Jeff Judah, with whom he co-owns Sachs/Judah Productions.
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Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Applicants who submit a completed application can expect an admission decision within three to five business days.
- Include basic contact information from you and your parent(s) or guardian.
- Tell us why you want to take the course and a little about yourself through a short-answer essay.
- Share a piece of writing, video or social media content that reveals something about yourself (optional).
- Submit the $35 application fee.
- Students must be at least 14 years old or older and enrolled in a high school or secondary program.
Recent high school graduates, students taking a gap year or time off from college, and students who are older than 18 can request an exemption to apply by emailing precollegeonline@usc.edu. Please include a short paragraph (no more than 200 words) stating your interest and how this program will add value to your academic or career plans.
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In addition to the requirements listed above, international applicants are expected to be proficient in English. International students who successfully complete an online course will receive a digital Certificate of Completion and, by request, a USC Pre-College Programs transcript at no additional cost.
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Program Start Date Application and Tuition Deadline Monday, November 10, 2025 Wednesday, November 5, 2025 Monday, November 24, 2025 Wednesday, November 19, 2025 Monday, December 8, 2025 Wednesday, December 3, 2025 Monday, December 22, 2025 Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Monday, January 5, 2026 Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Monday, January 19, 2026 Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Monday, February 2, 2026 Wednesday, January 28, 2026 Monday, February 16, 2026 Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Monday, March 2, 2026 Wednesday, February 25, 2026 Monday, March 16, 2026 Wednesday, March 11, 2026 Monday, March 30, 2026 Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Monday, April 13, 2026 Wednesday, April 8, 2026 Monday, April 27, 2026 Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Monday, May 11, 2026 Wednesday, May 6, 2026 Monday, May 25, 2026 Wednesday, May 20, 2026 Monday, June 8, 2026 Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Monday, June 22, 2026 Wednesday, June 17, 2026 Monday, July 6, 2026 Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Monday, July 20, 2026 Wednesday, July 15, 2026 -
Application fee: $35
Tuition: $1,990
Tuition and fees cover access to the chosen online course and materials for up to three months after your chosen start date.
Please note that application fees are nonrefundable. All course cancellations requests must be made in writing to precollegeonline@usc.edu. Any tuition paid to the university will be refunded, not including fees, if requested no more than three days past the course start date. Requests to drop the course more than three days after the start date will not be eligible for a refund.
The university will not refund tuition for USC Pre-College online exploration courses for students who are removed from the program due to a violation of our Letter of Understanding for Online Participation and our Student Code of Conduct.
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