Author your own career - study writing for film, television, theatre, video and digital media.

The one-year Scriptwriting Ontario College Graduate Certificate program provides you with the knowledge, writing experience and hands-on skills necessary to become a writer in the ever-expanding fields of film, television, theatre, streaming and digital media content.

Discover your style and voice, as well as how to develop characters and write stories for any audience. By the end of the program, you possess an extensive professional-quality portfolio of work.

By analyzing issues and trends in film and media, you learn how to market your skills effectively and work professionally in our industries. Faculty are up-to-date, experienced professionals who help guide your projects. Guest speakers are regular visitors to your class and provide tips and advice on your potential career paths.

At the end of the program, you have the opportunity to pitch your film or TV/Streamed series ideas to local producers and writers, and later to major broadcasting and production companies based in Toronto both in person and virtually. You will also meet agents and successful graduates of the program as part of this pitch experience. It is a great opportunity to connect with important players in the industry and get their feedback on your projects.

You also expand your real-world experience with a 40-hour work placement. These placements can be online, writing based, or non-writing positions that allow you to learn more about how the production process works, make industry contacts and broaden your skill set.

Another opportunity that you will participate in is the Hothouse Reading Series, which showcases your short plays read by professional actors and Performing Arts students. You receive feedback from the audience that provides you with invaluable insight to strengthen your writing.

After graduation, you may have career opportunities as a writer for:

• feature length or short films
• broadcast, streamed and digital media
• theatre
• gaming and animation
• production environments performing other writing-related tasks

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Have superior oral and written communication skills.
• Are self-motivated and well-organized.
• Can work independently and meet deadlines.
• Are creative thinkers.
• Can work in collaborative settings with appropriate guidance.

Careers

Graduates may have career opportunities as writers for feature length or short films, broadcast, streamed and digital media, online video, theatre and video games. They may also find work in production environments performing other writing and writing-related tasks. Graduates are knowledgeable about their industries and markets, and know how to further their careers in pre-production, production and other creative environments. They also have basic production skills which enable them to work effectively in and with production crews. Graduates possess an extensive professional-quality portfolio.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Conceive, write, edit, revise and rewrite scripts using industry-standard formats and technology.
2. Function effectively as part of a writing and/or production team in the delivery of scripts.
3. Apply production and business management skills to complete tasks efficiently and meet deadlines in the workplace.
4. Critically evaluate the quality of product being presented for production.
5. Develop strategies for personal and professional development by analyzing issues and trends in target industries.
6. Ensure that all work is completed in compliance with applicable laws, statutory obligations, regulations, and industry principles and practices.
7. Apply creative techniques for writing for a variety of media and styles.
8. Work in a professional and ethical manner, maintain professional relationships, and communicate effectively with clients, co-workers, supervisors and others.
9. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

SCRIPTWRITING
Program Code 0382X01FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants please visit this link for application process information: https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro

Program Resources

This program has a field work component that must be completed in order to graduate. Finding and securing an approved fieldwork opportunity is a shared responsibility. Your faculty and field work supervisor/coordinator has contacts in industry, and where feasible will assist you in finding an approved field placement.