Advanced Certificate Program in Series Writing
From script to screen, learn how to think creatively and use words to weave a picture
NSDC Approved
Online Course In Series Writing
Duration : 6 Months
Cost : ₹1,15,000
Key Highlights
Certification
Advanced Certificate Program in Series Writing from WWI
Financial Aid
Pay in easy 6 EMIs
Mentorship
Mentored by Industry Professional on one-to-one basis
Masterclass
Conducted by renowned TV & Web Writers
Learning
Create a Show Bible for a Web Series
Course Access
Free access to the Screenwriting Program during the course tenure
Learning Structure
Online Weekend Course
Access to Content
1 year
Course Features
Content Duration : 6 months
Learning structure : Online Weekend Course
Accessibility : On PC, mobile
Access period : 1 year
Mode of instruction : English
Course Overview and Structure:
This is an online weekend Web Series writing course, which will be conducted over 24 Weekends, or 6 months. Each Saturday and Sunday we will have 4 -6 hour sessions, and on some days it might be 8- hour sessions. Apart from these classes, students would be expected to read study material and write during the week to prepare themselves for Guest Lectures and Feedback on their writing.
Course Objectives
The course will be writing-intensive, with theory instruction and mentorship from leading TV/Web screenwriters, running parallel with the writing schedule.
Students will come away not only with the knowledge of episodic writing but also with
- A pitch-ready bible for a finite fiction series of 8 episodes with scope for a second season.
- A pitch for mini-series in a genre of participants choice
Course Highlights
You will be given access to the Screenwriting course which has 10 modules. It is recommended that you learn the concepts of Screenwriting before or during the Series Writing course.
During the programme, participants will go through the complete process of creating a Show Bible for a web series – starting with ideation, creating unforgettable characters, expanding the idea into a broad story, plotting it over 8 episodes and writing the screenplay of the Pilot Episode.
Renowned TV & Web Writers come regularly during the term and conduct masterclasses with the students during the two terms. In this one-day session, the writers share their writing practice, their inspirations, their writing technique, and show examples from their shows and explain principles to the students.
Students also get masterclasses from screenwriter-teacher Anjum Rajabali on Mythology, on the Mahabharata, and on Psychology. There will also be an in-depth session on the importance of Navrasa in Indian dramaturgy by screenwriter-teacher, independent filmmaker and script consultant Ashwini Malik.
Mentoring: Students will be mentored by industry professionals on a one-on-one basis.
Assignments:
- A pitch-ready bible for a finite fiction series of 8 episodes with scope for a second season.
- A pitch for mini-series in a genre of participants choice
Apart from this, the students will read screenplays and show–bibles of different web series.
What kind of certification will I obtain from this program?
On successful completion of all the modules included in this program, the user shall be given a certificate from Whistling Woods International. You can download the certificate in the form of a PDF.
Are there any assignment or coursework in this program?
Is there a specific time limit for this program?
The time limit to finish this program is 6 months.
How many hours of study are required to complete this program?
This is a module-based program, so there is no specific schedule to adhere to.
What are the key topics covered in this program?
Please refer to the curriculum tab on the course page of the program.
What type of learning should I expect from this program?
This program comprises of learning through video-based lectures. You will also be given the transcripts of these lectures. The content is derived from the knowledge base of Whistling Woods faculty and Industry experts along with specific case studies used to explain the concepts and theories.
Does the program include live sessions with the faculty?
There are no live sessions included as part of this program. However for live sessions and on campus specialization workshops, please check our Advanced Certificate in Filmmaking program.
Program Fee:
INR 115,000 (Inclusive of all taxes)
Eligibility Criteria: 18 + years of age
Entrance Process:
Along with the application, the students need to submit a one-page synopsis of either –
Mumbai Diaries (Available on Amazon Prime), Panchayat (Available on Amazon Prime ) & Jamtara – Sabka Number Ayega (Available on Netflix)
This synopsis would be evaluated for final selection
Fee Structure:
- Full Course Fees of Rs 115,000/ (GST included) can be paid in 2 instalments as below:
On Registration: Rs 60000/-
Before course commencement: Rs 55000/-
- In 6-month EMI options through our finance partners – FinancePeer or Eduvanz.
To use FinancePeer, click here
To explore Eduvanz, click here
Syllabus
These modules will run parallelly with each other to help the students in better understanding of screenwriting principles.
The first step in writing a web series is understanding the format. How is web series writing different from Novel, Film, or TV writing? How do you know if an idea is well-suited for a Web series? How to convert the idea into a premise? And how to flesh out that premise into a long-format story?
How to write characters that feel human and relatable enough to make viewers forget that they aren’t real? How to explore the complexities, unresolved issues and multiple dimensions of the character’s personality to ensure that his/her engagement with the plot remains vigorous and continues to expose hidden layers of the character over a long narrative? What is a character arc and how does that define the structure of the series? How to create a multitude of characters to exist and interact harmoniously with each other over the course of a season?
How to write a show where the characters decide their own fate, for better or worse.The students will learn to keep the stakes of drama high by strengthening and pressing on the intentions and obstacles of their characters that creates the friction and tension needed to create a strong screenplay.
What is the best episode structure to effectively tell the character’s stories? How does each ensemble character in the web series relate to, or affect the main character? How to build character development naturally into the series.
Pilots are crucial for hooking an audience and setting up your characters and storyline for an entire season. This module helps the students in writing a pilot screenplay that explains the story world and its characters and ends in a way to make the audience want more.
Through the screening and analysis of multiple web–series across different genres, the students will develop an understanding of how characters are introduced? How is each episode structured? How do plot elements unfold over a season? What does one mean by cliff-hangers? And most importantly, how does a show create enough drama to grab the viewer’s attention for that long?
A great pitch is well-structured, visual, and quickly and easily conveys your show’s concept and central characters. This module helps the students to learn how to pitch their show in 5-10 minutes.
Final assessment will be conducted by Media & Entertainment Skills Council
Certification
Complete the program successfully to obtain the Advanced Certificate in Filmmaking from Whistling Woods International
- Connect with a wide network of learners & professionals
- Take a step towards discovering the world of filmmaking
