Screenwriting education and training gives you the skills you need to write a successful screenplay. Screenwriting is about more than having a great story to tell. You need to understand the proper structure to lead your viewers through the story. Screenwriting training can help you do this.

It's very difficult to break into screenwriting as a career, yet every year, people apply for a screenwriter education so that they can give their dreams a shot.

Before you spend a lot of money on screenwriting education, you should know:

1. Very few people ever sell their screenplays. You can have more screenwriting education and training than anyone else and still never sell a screenplay. However, if you do sell a screenplay to a Hollywood company, you will see a lot of money.

2. Screenwriters' education does not guarantee a good story. Even though you may understand the technical elements of writing a story, you need some innate talent to pull it all together.

3. Nobody can guarantee that your script will sell. Some movie writing training companies try to lure writers with empty promises, so take care not to fall for their ploys.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Receive screenwriting education and training from a traditional college

Many colleges offer degrees in creative writing and have courses in screenwriting. This can be an excellent way to get an education for screenwriter because with a college degree, you'll have additional marketable skills that you can use to get a job while you wait for your first screenplay to sell.

I recommend: U.S. News and World Reports lists the best colleges that offer a major in Creative Writing. Click on a school that interests you to learn its rank and other statistics. If you're interested in an MFA program, The Atlantic lists the top 10 graduate programs in creative writing.

Look for a free online screenwriting training program

If you don't have a lot of money to spend, a free course is the way to go. With a free online program in screenwriting, you can work from the comfort of your own home at your own pace.

I recommend: Start with screenwriter Steve Barnes' free online program. It's a basic version of the 9-week program that he routinely teaches at UCLA. After that, check out the Narrative Dialog Editing lesson at Wikiversity.

Attend a screenwriting workshop to improve skills and get feedback

A good script writing workshop is an excellent investment if you want to become a screenwriter. Often, a professional screenwriter teaches the class and you can bounce ideas around with other students.

I recommend: The New York Film Academy frequently offers screenwriting workshops. However, if you can't travel to go to a workshop, try ordering the video of Syd Field's screenwriting workshop. You may not be able to interact with the teacher or other students, but you can still learn valuable skills.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Join a local writers group to share your writing and ideas. It's easier to implement the things you learn in your screenwriting education when there are others pushing you to succeed.