Screenwriting & Narrative Design Program (Online) (Postgraduate) (P410)

2022-20232023-2024
  • Program Name:
    Screenwriting & Narrative Design
  • Code: P410
  • Credential:
    Ontario College Graduate Certificate
  • Method of Study:
    Full-time
  • Duration:
    1 year (3 semesters)
  • Centre:
  • School: Media & Performing Arts
  • Location: Online
  • Starting Months: September
  • Domestic Tuition:
    $8,626.00 †
  • International Tuition:
    $25,493.00 ††
  • Spring 2023 Delivery:
    Semester 3: Online

Compare up to 3 programs

Overview

Program Overview

The three-semester Screenwriting & Narrative Design online graduate certificate program provides students with the knowledge, writing experience and hands-on skills necessary to become screenwriters for the ever-evolving media field, as well as narrative designers for game and interactive storytelling worlds.

PLEASE NOTE: there is no ability to transfer into the in-class Screenwriting & Narrative Design P400 program after the start date.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS This is a 100% online program, irrespective of the current remote delivery for P400 in light of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. P410 will remain as a permanent online option. Therefore, students in this program do not come to Canada, and are not eligible for a study permit, and graduates will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit upon completion of this program.

Full Description

The Screenwriting & Narrative Design program educates students on the challenge of writing a well-structured story within linear and non-linear contexts. The elements of character, dialogue, scene, setting, texture, style and tone are rigorously explored. Students master the subtle variances of language employed through structured and open-world storytelling as they create memorable stories and scripts for film, TV, games and interactive media. Opportunities will be provided to work with fellow students (directors, actors and designers) on student-led projects as well as potential research projects.

Program Requirements

The Screenwriting & Narrative Design program requires students to have access to:

  • a laptop capable of running Final Draft and MS Office
  • a Netflix subscription
  • a stable/high bandwidth Internet connection

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

This online program is only available to study while remaining in your home country and does not qualify for study/work permit eligibility in Canada.

Your Field Education Options

Due to the online nature of this program, there will be no field education component attached to this program.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate demonstrates the ability to:

  1. Produce linear and non-linear narrative content to industry standards using current and relevant software.
  2. Create content employing traditional and non‐traditional dramatic narratives with advanced application for entertainment writing within linear and non‐linear mediums.
  3. Articulate the differences between the varying mediums’ production processes and how the writer integrates into each process.
  4. Investigate the varying guilds, associations, agencies and groups and how they interact with relevance to the different industries.
  5. Differentiate the history of film, television, video games and interactive media from other media as well as the intersections between them.
  6. Analyze the evolving landscapes for production, distribution and content creation in order to anticipate challenges and opportunities arising from technological change and consumer demand.
  7. Prepare for employment in the field by evaluating the present business climate of the relevant film, television, video game, online, mobile and interactive industries, and using interview and presentation skills, resumé-writing skills, proposal and pitch development skills and portfolio preparation.
  8. Conduct research using a variety of relevant research methods, including online and library resources to do effective world building and character creation.
  9. Engage and invoke an emotional response from an audience, recognizing and using relevant style and narrative structures including plot analysis, characterization, setting, dialogue, point of view, structure, length and originality.
  10. Evaluate personal and recognized works of entertainment writing for traditional composition techniques including “unity of effect” as these apply to both traditional rhetorical structures and narratives with branching structures and/or multiple narratively coherent conclusions.
  11. Manipulate point of view to develop narratives, analyze form and structure to apply evolving techniques, and compare setting and atmosphere to adjusting narrative time within linear and non-linear narrative.
  12. Assess personal and recognized works of traditional and interactive narratives for techniques in character development exploring limitations presented by traditional techniques in character development for non-linear and participatory character creation.

Courses

Required Courses

SEMESTER 1

CodeCourse Name
WRIT1001Intensive I – The Writers' Room
WRIT1002Writers' Studio I
WRIT1003Storytelling
WRIT1005Feature I
WRIT1006Video Game
WRIT1010Episodic I
WRIT1017Entrepreneurship

SEMESTER 2

CodeCourse Name
WRIT1004Character Development
WRIT1007Entertainment Business
WRIT1011Intensive II – Acting for Writers
WRIT1012Writers' Studio II
WRIT1015Feature II
WRIT1016Interactive
WRIT1020Episodic II

SEMESTER 3

CodeCourse Name
WRIT2001Thesis Project

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

Creative writers for entertainment are able to move across multiple platforms, including film, television, interactive storytelling, gaming and animation. Potential job titles include:

  • script writer
  • assistant producer
  • advising writer
  • creative writer
  • content writer
  • interactive media writer
  • staff writer
  • editor
  • story editor
  • showrunner
  • narrative designer
  • creative designer
  • script consultant
  • story consultant
  • freelance writer

Industry

Professional storytelling/writing/content development is a highly competitive yet exceptionally rewarding field. Though concentrated around major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles and New York, the globalization of the industry has meant that writers for media can work on projects all over the world.

As the television and film industries shift in response to changing trends such as online access to traditionally aired content, the industry supplements its series and films with online and interactive content. As the Internet becomes a major gateway for consumers to access traditional media, the industry is becoming increasingly entrepreneurial with the advent of webisodes and web series. These new avenues have opened up a new area of development for the screenwriting field.

Tuition and Fees

Domestic Tuition

$8,626.00 †

International Tuition

$25,493.00 ††

Additional Costs

† Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the three semesters of program.

†† Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the three semesters of the program starting in Fall 2022. Fees are subject to change for program semesters starting at later dates.

International Students

Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information. 

Financial Assistance

This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.

How to Qualify and Apply

Admission Requirements

  • bachelor’s degree, two- or three-year diploma, or graduate certificate (postgraduate studies)
  • resumé
  • writing samples*
  • online interview**

OR

  • demonstrated competence through related work experience (minimum three years of experience in the entertainment industry or performing arts)
  • resumé
  • writing samples*
  • online interview**

* Further details on the writing samples will be provided to the applicant via a letter and/or email, once the applicant meets the academic and/or work experience requirements.

** An online interview will be offered to select applicants upon review of writing samples.

Please note that Domestic applicants who are submitting International transcripts require a Canadian equivalency evaluation. This can be obtained through ICAS (International Credential Assessment Service) at icascanada.ca or WES (World Education Services) at wes.org/ca

English Language Proficiency

Applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English language proficiency test results must test at the College level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for admission. Applicants who are accepted based on work experience only will be required to take the English Admissions Assessment in order to evaluate the appropriate level of English language proficiency.

Course Exemptions

College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit our transfer guide for more information.

International (Visa) Students

Visit the International Admissions page for more information.

International Students

Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.  

Special Requirements

International (Visa) Students

This is a 100% online program, irrespective of the current remote delivery for P400 in light of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. P410 will remain as a permanent online option. Therefore, students in this program do not come to Canada, and are not eligible for a study permit, and graduates will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit upon completion of this program.

How to Apply

Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.

International students should apply through our Online Application System.

International Students

Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply. 

International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.

Contact Us

School of Media & Performing Arts Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2015 Email: media@georgebrown.ca.

For more information, you may also call the George Brown College Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.

International Students

Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page

Visit Our Campus

The School of Media & Performing Arts is located at the St. James Campus at 230 Richmond Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Campus tours are offered on a regular basis. Sign up for a campus tour.

Sign up and learn more about your options, our programs, and life at George Brown.

Screenwriting & Narrative Design Program (Online) (Postgraduate) (P410)

2022-20232023-2024
  • Program Name:
    Screenwriting & Narrative Design
  • Code: P410
  • Credential:
    Ontario College Graduate Certificate
  • Method of Study:
    Full-time
  • Duration:
    1 year (3 semesters)
  • Centre:
  • School: Media & Performing Arts
  • Location: Online
  • Starting Months: September
  • Domestic Tuition:
    $8,642.00 †
  • Spring 2022 Delivery:
    Semester 3: Online

Compare up to 3 programs

Overview

Program Overview

The three-semester Screenwriting & Narrative Design online graduate certificate program provides students with the knowledge, writing experience and hands-on skills necessary to become screenwriters for the ever-evolving media field, as well as narrative designers for game and interactive storytelling worlds.

PLEASE NOTE: There is no ability to transfer into the in-class Screenwriting & Narrative Design P400 program after the start date.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

This is a 100% online program, irrespective of the current remote delivery for P400 in light of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. P410 will remain as a permanent online option. Therefore, students in this program do not come to Canada, and are not eligible for a study permit, and graduates will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit upon completion of this program.

Full Description

The Screenwriting & Narrative Design program educates students on the challenge of writing a well-structured story within linear and non-linear contexts. The elements of character, dialogue, scene, setting, texture, style and tone are rigorously explored. Students master the subtle variances of language employed through structured and open-world storytelling as they create memorable stories and scripts for film, TV, games and interactive media. Opportunities will be provided to work with fellow students (directors, actors and designers) on student-led projects as well as potential research projects.

Program Requirements

The Screenwriting & Narrative Design program requires students to have access to:

  • A laptop capable of running Final Draft and MS Office
  • Netflix subscription
  • A stable/high bandwidth internet connection

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

This online program is only available to study while remaining in your home country and does not qualify for study/work permit eligibility in Canada.

Your Field Education Options

Due to the online nature of this program, there will be no field education component attached to this program.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Produce linear and non-linear narrative content to industry standards using current and relevant software.
  2. Create content employing traditional and non‐traditional dramatic narratives with advanced application for entertainment writing within linear and non‐linear mediums.
  3. Articulate the differences between the varying mediums’ production processes and how the writer integrates into each process.
  4. Investigate the varying guilds, associations, agencies and groups and how they interact with relevance to the different industries.
  5. Differentiate the history of film, television, video game and interactive media from other media as well as the intersections between them.
  6. Analyze the evolving landscapes for production, distribution and content creation in order to anticipate challenges and opportunities arising from technological change and consumer demand.
  7. Prepare for employment in the field by evaluating the present business climate of the relevant film, television, video game, online, mobile and interactive industries, and using interview and presentation skills, resume writing skills, proposal and pitch development skills, and portfolio preparation.
  8. Conduct research using a variety of relevant research methods, including online and library resources to do effective world building and character creation.
  9. Engage and invoke an emotional response from an audience, recognizing and using relevant style and narrative structures including plot analysis, characterization, setting, dialogue, point of view, structure, length and originality.
  10. Evaluate personal and recognized works of entertainment writing for traditional composition techniques including “unity of effect” as these apply to both traditional rhetorical structures and narratives with branching structures and/or multiple narratively coherent conclusions.
  11. Manipulate point of view to develop narratives, analyze form and structure to apply evolving techniques, and compare setting and atmosphere to adjusting narrative time within linear and non-linear narrative.
  12. Assess personal and recognized works of traditional and interactive narratives for techniques in character development exploring limitations presented by traditional techniques in character development for non-linear and participatory character creation.

Courses

Required Courses

SEMESTER 1

CodeCourse Name
WRIT1001Intensive I - The Writers' Room
WRIT1002Writers' Studio I
WRIT1003Storytelling
WRIT1005Feature I
WRIT1006Video Game
WRIT1010Episodic I
WRIT1017Entrepreneurship

SEMESTER 2

CodeCourse Name
WRIT1004Character Development
WRIT1007Entertainment Business
WRIT1011Intensive II - Acting for Writers
WRIT1012Writers' Studio II
WRIT1015Feature II
WRIT1016Interactive
WRIT1020Episodic II

SEMESTER 3

CodeCourse Name
WRIT2001Thesis Project

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

Creative writers for entertainment are able to move across multiple platforms, including film, television, interactive storytelling, gaming and animation. Potential job titles include:

  • Script Writer
  • Assistant Producer
  • Advising Writer
  • Creative Writer
  • Content Writer
  • Interactive Media Writer
  • Staff Writer
  • Editor
  • Story Editor
  • Showrunner
  • Narrative Designer
  • Creative Designer
  • Script Consultant
  • Story Consultant
  • Freelance Writer

Industry

Professional storytelling/writing/content development is a highly competitive yet exceptionally rewarding field. Though concentrated around major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles and New York, the globalization of the industry has meant that writers for media can work on projects all over the world.

As the television and film industries shift in response to changing trends such as online access to traditionally aired content, the industry supplements its series and films with online and interactive content. As the internet becomes a major gateway for consumers to access traditional media, the industry is becoming increasingly entrepreneurial with the advent of webisodes and web series. These new avenues have opened up a new area of development for the screenwriting field.

Tuition and Fees

Domestic Tuition

$8,642.00 †

Additional Costs

† Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2020. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2021 and at later dates.

International students: Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.

International Students

Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information. 

Financial Assistance

This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.

How to Qualify and Apply

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree, two- or three-year diploma, or graduate certificate (postgraduate studies)
  • Resume
  • Writing samples*
  • Online interview**

OR

  • Demonstrated competence through related work experience (minimum 3 years of experience in the entertainment industry or performing arts)
  • Resume
  • Writing samples*
  • Online Interview**

* Further details on the writing samples will be provided to the applicant via a letter and/or email, once the applicant meets the academic and/or work experience requirements.

** An online interview will be offered to select applicants upon review of writing samples.

Please note that Domestic applicants who are submitting International transcripts require a Canadian equivalency evaluation. This can be obtained through ICAS (International Credential Assessment Service) at icascanada.ca or WES (World Education Services) at wes.org/ca

English Language Proficiency

Applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English language proficiency test results must test at the College level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for admission. Applicants who are accepted based on work experience only will be required to take the English Admissions Assessment in order to evaluate the appropriate level of English language proficiency.

Course Exemptions

College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit our transfer guide for more information.

International (Visa) Students

Visit the International Admissions page for more information.

International Students

Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.  

Special Requirements

International (Visa) Students

This is a 100% online program, irrespective of the current remote delivery for P400 in light of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. P410 will remain as a permanent online option. Therefore, students in this program do not come to Canada, and are not eligible for a study permit, and graduates will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit upon completion of this program.

How to Apply

Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges

International students should apply through our Online Application System

International Students

Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply. 

International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.

Contact Us

School of Media & Performing Arts
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2015
Email: media@georgebrown.ca

For more information, you may also call the George Brown College Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.

International Students

Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page

Visit Our Campus

The School of Media & Performing Arts is located at the St. James Campus at 230 Richmond Street East, Toronto.

Campus tours are offered on a regular basis. Sign up today!

Sign up and learn more about your options, our programs, and life at George Brown.