Screenwriting & Narrative Design Program (Online) (Postgraduate) (P410)
Program Description
Program Overview
The one-year Screenwriting & Narrative Design (Online) postgraduate certificate program gives you the knowledge, writing experience, and hands-on skills needed to excel as a screenwriter in the dynamic world of media. You'll also learn all about the art of narrative design, preparing you for a career in gaming and interactive storytelling.
The School of Media is ranked as one of Canada’s best film schools by both CourseCompare and Degrees & Careers.
PLEASE NOTE: there is no ability to transfer into the in-class Screenwriting & Narrative Design (P400) program after the start date.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS This program is 100% online. 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 (Online) postgraduate certificate program will help you step up to the challenge of writing a well-structured story within linear and nonlinear contexts. Explore the elements of character, dialogue, scene, setting, texture, style, and tone. You'll master the subtle variances of language in structured and open-world storytelling as you create memorable stories and scripts for film, TV, games, and interactive media. You'll also get to work with fellow students (directors, actors, and designers) on student-led projects and potential research projects.
Program Requirements
You'll need 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.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Industry
Professional storytelling/writing/content development is a highly competitive and exceptionally rewarding field. Though concentrated around major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and New York, the globalization of the industry means that media writers can work on projects all over the world.
As TV and film industries adapt to changing trends, they're integrating more online and interactive content. And with the internet as a gateway to traditional media, webisodes and series are flourishing, creating fresh opportunities in screenwriting.
Alumni Impact
We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.
Courses
Required Courses
SEMESTER 1
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| WRIT1001 | Intensive I – The Writers' Room |
| WRIT1002 | Writers' Studio I |
| WRIT1003 | Story and Character I |
| WRIT1005 | Feature I |
| WRIT1006 | Video Game |
| WRIT1010 | Episodic I |
| WRIT1017 | Entrepreneurship |
SEMESTER 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| WRIT1004 | Story and Character II |
| WRIT1007 | Entertainment Business |
| WRIT1012 | Writers' Studio II |
| WRIT1015 | Feature II |
| WRIT1016 | Interactive |
| WRIT1020 | Episodic II |
SEMESTER 3
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| WRIT2001 | Thesis Project |
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:
- Produce linear and non-linear narrative content to industry standards using current and relevant software.
- Create content employing traditional and non‐traditional dramatic narratives with advanced application for entertainment writing within linear and non‐linear mediums.
- Articulate the differences between the varying mediums’ production processes and how the writer integrates into each process.
- Investigate the varying guilds, associations, agencies and groups and how they interact with relevance to the different industries.
- Differentiate the history of film, television, video games and interactive media from other media as well as the intersections between them.
- Analyze the evolving landscapes for production, distribution and content creation in order to anticipate challenges and opportunities arising from technological change and consumer demand.
- 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.
- Conduct research using a variety of relevant research methods, including online and library resources to do effective world building and character creation.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
International Tuition
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2023. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2024 and at later dates. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
** Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2024. Tuition fees are subject to board approval. Material, student service and ancillary fees are estimated based on prior years. All fees are subject to change without notice. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
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.
Each year we award over $2 million dollars in scholarships, awards and bursaries to first-year students. Check out our financial aid webpages for ways to pay for college and the full list of available scholarships, awards and bursaries.
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.
Admission Requirements
- bachelor’s degree, two- or three-year diploma, or graduate certificate (postgraduate studies)
- resumé
- writing samples*
or
- demonstrated competence through related work experience (minimum three years of experience in the entertainment industry or performing arts)
- resumé
- writing samples*
* 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.
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 Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
Special Requirements
International (Visa) Students
This is a 100 per cent online program. 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 or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
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.
Screenwriting & Narrative Design Program (Online) (Postgraduate) (P410)
Program Description
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 per cent 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.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
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.
Alumni Impact
We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.
Courses
Required Courses
SEMESTER 1
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| WRIT1001 | Intensive – The Writers' Room |
| WRIT1002 | Writers' Studio I |
| WRIT1003 | Story and Character I |
| WRIT1005 | Feature I |
| WRIT1006 | Video Game |
| WRIT1010 | Episodic I |
| WRIT1017 | Entrepreneurship |
SEMESTER 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| WRIT1004 | Story and Character II |
| WRIT1007 | Entertainment Business |
| WRIT1012 | Writers' Studio II |
| WRIT1015 | Feature II |
| WRIT1016 | Interactive |
| WRIT1020 | Episodic II |
SEMESTER 3
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| WRIT2001 | Thesis Project |
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:
- Produce linear and non-linear narrative content to industry standards using current and relevant software.
- Create content employing traditional and non‐traditional dramatic narratives with advanced application for entertainment writing within linear and non‐linear mediums.
- Articulate the differences between the varying mediums’ production processes and how the writer integrates into each process.
- Investigate the varying guilds, associations, agencies and groups and how they interact with relevance to the different industries.
- Differentiate the history of film, television, video games and interactive media from other media as well as the intersections between them.
- Analyze the evolving landscapes for production, distribution and content creation in order to anticipate challenges and opportunities arising from technological change and consumer demand.
- 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.
- Conduct research using a variety of relevant research methods, including online and library resources to do effective world building and character creation.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
International Tuition
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2022. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2023 and at later dates.
** Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2023. Tuition fees are subject to board approval. Material, student service and ancillary fees are estimated based on prior years. All fees are subject to change without notice.
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.
Each year we award over $2 million dollars in scholarships, awards and bursaries to first-year students. Check out our financial aid webpages for ways to pay for college and the full list of available scholarships, awards and bursaries.
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.
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 Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
Special Requirements
International (Visa) Students
This is a 100 per cent 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 or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
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.
