The Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology
Graduate Certificate in ScriptwritingOttawa, Canada
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 6,763
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Introduction
Author your own career - study writing for film, television, theatre, video, and digital media.
The one-year Scriptwriting Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides you with the knowledge, writing experience, and hands-on skills necessary to become a writer in the ever-expanding fields of film, television, theatre, streaming, and digital media content.
Discover your style and voice, as well as how to develop characters and write stories for any audience. By the end of the program, you possess an extensive professional-quality portfolio of work.
By analyzing issues and trends in film and media, you learn how to market your skills effectively and work professionally in our industries. Faculty are up-to-date, experienced professionals who help guide your projects. Guest speakers are regular visitors to your class and provide tips and advice on your potential career paths.
At the end of the program, you have the opportunity to pitch your film or TV/Streamed series ideas to local producers and writers, and later to major broadcasting and production companies based in Toronto both in person and virtually. You will also meet agents and successful graduates of the program as part of this pitch experience. It is a great opportunity to connect with important players in the industry and get their feedback on your projects.
You also expand your real-world experience with a 40-hour work placement. These placements can be online, writing-based, or non-writing positions that allow you to learn more about how the production process works, make industry contacts, and broaden your skill set.
Another opportunity that you will participate in is the Hothouse Reading Series, which showcases your short plays read by professional actors and Performing Arts students. You receive feedback from the audience that provides you with invaluable insight to strengthen your writing.
Ideal Students
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Have superior oral and written communication skills
- Are self-motivated and well-organized
- Can work independently and meet deadlines
- Are creative thinkers
- Can work in collaborative settings with appropriate guidance
Admissions
Curriculum
Level 01
- SCR1516 Film and Media in Canada
- SCR1518 Writing for Live Performance 1
- SCR1519 Writing for Digital Media I
- SCR1529 Introduction to Media Production
- SCR1530 Screenwriting I
- SCR1533 Content Creation for Series and Streaming I
Level 02
- SCR1500 Writers' Workshops
- SCR1517 Business Practices
- SCR1540 Screenwriting II
- SCR1543 Content Creation for Series and Streaming II
- SCR1544 Writing for Live Performance 2
- SCR1547 Writing for Digital Media II
- SCR1549 Field Placement
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Conceive, write, edit, revise, and rewrite scripts using industry-standard formats and technology
- Function effectively as part of a writing and/or production team in the delivery of scripts
- Apply production and business management skills to complete tasks efficiently and meet deadlines in the workplace
- Critically evaluate the quality of the product being presented for production
- Develop strategies for personal and professional development by analyzing issues and trends in target industries
- Ensure that all work is completed in compliance with applicable laws, statutory obligations, regulations, and industry principles and practices
- Apply creative techniques for writing for a variety of media and styles
- Work in a professional and ethical manner, maintain professional relationships, and communicate effectively with clients, co-workers, supervisors and others
- Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment, and environmental stewardship
Career Opportunities
Graduates may have career opportunities as writers for feature-length or short films, broadcast, streamed, and digital media, online video, theatre, and video games. They may also find work in production environments performing other writing and writing-related tasks. Graduates are knowledgeable about their industries and markets and know how to further their careers in pre-production, production, and other creative environments. They also have basic production skills which enable them to work effectively in and with production crews. Graduates possess an extensive professional-quality portfolio.
English Language Requirements
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