Screenwriting for Fiction Short Films
A course by Alejandra MoffatAuthor and screenwriter
A course by Alejandra Moffat, Author and screenwriter
Learn how to develop a story for cinema, from beginning to end
A good story has its foundations in a structure and base that hooks the audience instantly. But this base is only that—a base—designed to give the writer a framework where they can experiment and apply their own ideas and personality.
Alejandra Moffat—screenwriter and advisor—is passionate about stories, compelling her to write screenplays for fiction, animation, and documentaries that have been recognized in festivals like Berlinale, Havana Film Festival, among others.
In this course, Alejandra teaches how to write a step outline for a short film fiction screenplay, defining the plot, characters, and action progression, as well as contemplating the types of conflict, beginnings, and endings.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 31 downloads
What story do we want to tell
11 minutes, 39 seconds
Distinguish the nature of an idea
9 minutes, 27 seconds
The first ingredients - Part 1
17 minutes, 38 seconds
The First Ingredients - Part 2
7 minutes, 38 seconds
Plot Design - Part 1
9 minutes, 34 seconds
Construction from start to finish
17 minutes, 31 seconds
What's included in this course?
Alejandra starts the course by presenting herself and talks about the cinematographers that inspire, move, surprise, and transform her. Discover a new writing journey, and like all journeys, you have to choose what to take with you and what direction you’ll take to get to your final destination. This trip will lead you to write with freedom, as well as acquiring methodical tools so that your stories are brought to fruition.
See how to develop an idea for a movie in a short film format, uncovering what the consequences of a shorter action time-frame imply. Define, with some practical exercises, the first coordinates that will shape your step outline, to finally know what you need to investigate so as to not fall into prejudice or monotonous situations.
Discover how to generate a structure, defining the scenes you need to develop your short film. Understand what audiovisual writing implies, what you should include, and what you should omit to smoothly unfold your story.
See the step outline progressively, create a list of the scenes with the unfolding of each scene, and test out the global development of your short film. Throughout the entire process, visualize the sequence of images, from the beginning to the end of the film, writing and rewriting what is necessary along the way.
What is this course's project?
Write a developed step outline of a short film fiction screenplay, including the developed scenes from start to finish.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
For anyone who wants to give life to ideas in a script format.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is needed, some notions in writing and how to use a word processing software such as Microsoft Word is enough to take this course.
Reviews
- 3 months ago
Hice muchos cursos de guion y realmente quedé asombrada por la capacidad de comunicar conceptos de manera tan clara y concisa. Alejandra es excelente docente. Felicitaciones por el curso.
- 5 months ago
interESANTE
- 6 months ago
Excelente! Muy buen curso.
- 8 months ago
O curso é bem básico para quem está começando. A professora traz informações preciosas e dicas que tornam o processo criativo mais empolgante.
- 9 months ago
Excelente, didáctico! me sirvió para incursionar en el lenguaje, el procedimiento etc. Muchas Gracias!!
The films she has worked on have been awarded at international festivals like Berlinale, Rotterdam, FICUNAM, Havana Film Festival, Cinema Tropical, and Annecy.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation (Who am I)
- Influences
- What will we do in the course
- U2
Collect to design and assemble
- What story do we want to tell
- Distinguish the nature of an idea
- The first ingredients - Part 1
- The First Ingredients - Part 2
- Plot Design - Part 1
- Plot Design - Part 2
- U3
The move of good design
- Construction from start to finish
- The art of creating a structure with images and sounds
- The cut of the scenes
- U4
Put the action in a word processor
- The details of rewriting an outline - Part 1
- The details of rewriting an outline - Part 2
- Write for a production team
- FP
Final project
- Screenwriting for Fiction Short Films
What to expect from a Domestika course
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FAQs
The course is designed for people with intermediate knowledge of writing or film but doesn't require professional experience. It's perfect if you already have an interest or some background in storytelling and want to deepen your skills in screenwriting and creative writing techniques.
All you need is an interest in audiovisual storytelling, access to materials for taking notes (paper or digital), and a willingness to analyze films and write. No professional tools or special software are required.
You'll learn how to structure scripts, create believable characters, develop beat sheets, analyze films, build suspenseful scenes, distinguish plot from subplot, use brainstorming techniques, and apply collaborative writing and visual organization methods.
The course covers playwriting, experimental film screenwriting, manual and visual script organization, fragmented novel structure, and techniques for both documentary and fiction film, blending theory with creative practice.
Yes, you'll learn how to develop and organize effective beat sheets for fiction short films, using practical and visual methods to structure dramatic progression and conflict.
Yes, the course guides you in creating believable characters, developing emotional arcs, distinguishing between goals and inner needs, and building credible relationships and conflicts.
Collaborative methodologies include brainstorming, group review, feedback, and visual scene organization, encouraging systematic script improvement through teamwork.