Writing for Film + Television
Develop an absolute command of the craft of storytelling, and a deep understanding of the world of film + television.
How many times have you sat in a darkened movie theatre or on your living room couch watching a film or TV show and turned to your significant other/friend/dog and said, “I can do better than this!” Here’s the good news: we believe you can. Give voice to your creativity and imagination. Join us for one intense year in Vancouver Film School’s Writing for Film + Television Program. Let us help you jump start your future by getting your stories and characters out of your head and onto the page. Now the bad news… your dog’s going to be jealous.
An Education in Writing for Film + Television
build from critiques and feedback
Develop a confidence in yourself as a writer through writing, rewriting, and being exposed to constant feedback from peers and professional writers.
Write for Film + Television
With more platforms for original programming, and more great opportunities for writers than ever before, this is the best time to be a screenwriter.
Develop your network
Form relationships with like-minded people that will support you for the rest of your career.
Program Breakdown
Develop fundamental skills in visual storytelling, structure, character, format, and genre. Write and workshop your first portfolio piece with a short film script.
Commit to story and character development for your first feature screenplay. Develop your TV spec script, hone your dialogue skills, and start work on a series of comedy sketches.
Demonstrate your skills in story, character, and dialogue, through workshopping the first drafts of your feature and TV scripts.
Gain hands-on experience in producing low-budget projects. Specialize in film or TV writing, and begin work on your final project.
Broaden your skillset as a writer with electives that complement your chosen specialization. Electives include writing for comics, video games, and writing for commercials.
Complete drafts of your final projects and polish them through intense workshopping. Discover critical business skills to help prepare you for entering the industry.
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program length
12 months
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Time spent with instructors
1000+ Hours
Specializations
Writing for Feature Films / Writing for Television
See program breakdown and full course descriptions for more information.- A Diploma in Writing for Film + Television
- A diverse portfolio of your work, designed to open doors
- Access to the VFS Alumni Directory and Job Board
Student Work
Connor Smith, Gomez Montserrat, Michael Klassen, David Toussier, and Matthew Smith
Synopsis: A man and a bed bug fight over whose house they are living in and realize that it might be both of theirs.
Alex Bryan, Joe Chiodo, Katya Epstein, Kenny Hawksworth, and Mandi Thompson
Synopsis: When Tony tries to take his coffee and pizza joint in an environmentally friendly direction by getting rid of napkins, the mob that owns the place sends their enforcer, Vito, to change his mind.
Key Faculty
Our screenwriting instructors come right from the industry, and offer an unparalleled education based on decades of real-world experience, designed to give students the skills, contacts and confidence to kick start their careers.
Michael Baser
Head of Department
Prior to arriving at VFS, Michael enjoyed a successful career in American prime time television and film for over 35 years. He has worked as a Writer, Producer, or Executive Producer on iconic classics, such as The Jeffersons, Three's Company, and Full House.
Rodger Cove
Senior Instructor – Feature Script/Character Essentials
Rodger has been teaching screenwriting for 15 years. His own work includes Hair of the Sasquatch (Calgary International Film Festival, 2008), and The Patio, (the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival, 2014).
Aaron Bushkowsky
Instructor — Writing for Film/Dialogue/Feature Rewrites
Aaron has served as a resident writer at Touchstone Theatre, The Playhouse, Rumble Theatre, and the Canadian Film Centre. His short film, The Alley, was nominated for six Leo Awards.
John Meadows
Instructor — Writing for Film/Pitch/Adaptation
John premiered his first feature film, Wisegirls (starring Mira Sorvino and Mariah Carey), at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, and has worked extensively as a screenwriter and story editor in Canada, Australia, England, and the US. John has also written for video games, including Avatar and Lost.
Kat Montagu
Instructor — Writing for Film/Story Editing/Marketing/Format
Kat has been a screenwriter, script consultant, and teacher for 15 years (she was VFS Instructor of the year in 2012). Kat won the SSHRC scholarship for her historical novel Emperor, and her modern play, The Bed Trick, debuted early 2015.
See more Instructors and staff
Faculty Career Highlights
Campus Life
Your year inside Writing for Film + Television will put you in close contact with students in a host of other VFS programs, from actors and filmmakers to makeup artists and animators. This downtown campus features near round-the-clock access to computers, production space, and an extensive library of screenplays. You'll also be surrounded by the city's best cafes, restaurants, and cultural attractions – not to mention some of the leading film + television production studios.
Program Events
Guest Speakers
Gain valuable career insights from industry guest speakers who will give demonstrations or answer questions about their specialties. Recent guests include Jamie Lee Curtis (True Lies), Susan Beavers (Two and a Half Men), Anne Beatts (SNL), Jim Jennewein (The Flintstones), Maria and Andre Jacquemetton (Mad Men), Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (The People vs. Larry Flynt), and Christopher Guest (This Is Spinal Tap).
Producing for Writers
Pitch original film concepts to students in the Film Production program. This experience will test your skills in writing to the meet the demands of a short film production.
Sketch Comedy Night
Just like in the writers' room on a show like Saturday Night Live, you'll pitch, write, and rewrite short sketches that will then be cast, rehearsed, and performed in front of a live, public audience.
CAREERS IN SCREENWRITING
As a graduate of Writing for Film + Television at VFS, you’ll be ready to work in a variety of writing and production roles in film, television, and production studios.
Screenwriter for Film
As a Feature Screenwriter, you'll work long hours on original spec scripts and, in collaboration with a producing team, usher them through development to production. Whether you're focused on working with big-budget studios or independent producers, you'll need to be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of story, screenplay structure, and character.
TV Writer
Television is a writer-driven medium and experienced writers in this field also take on producing roles in addition to their writing duties. When starting out, you'll be focused on joining a TV series' writing staff as an assistant or intern, which requires taking part in story meetings and pitch sessions.
Story Editor
Story editors are typically experienced screenwriters and excel at championing a writer's vision from early draft stages to the final shooting script. Outside of Hollywood, many feature film productions may use your services to help the screenwriter apply notes from the producing team or funding agencies.
Explore Your Other Career Options
Alumni Success
Vancouver Film School grads are some of the most successful professionals in the film + television industries. Take a moment to browse some of their accomplishments and achievements. The Alumni Success Stories feature tales of triumph and fame, and will open in another window to take you to the VFS Blog page. Grad Career Highlights offers a glimpse at some of our amazing alumni credits and contributions to the industry.
Alumni Success Stories
Grad Career Highlights
Testimonials
Admissions Info
To make sure you have accurate admissions information please select your region based on country of citizenship.
Tuition
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Start Dates
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Requirements
You will be asked to submit one of the following along with your application. Your advisor can help with selecting the best option.
Write a one-page (maximum) synopsis. Provide the film genre and use references to other movies to explain how you would make the film. Explain the concept, vision, or idea. In addition, provide a minimum of two and maximum of four other creative writing samples in their original form (no more than 20 total pages should be submitted). You'll find information on how to send your work in the application form, or you can ask your Advisor.
When you talk to your Advisor, let them know that you've completed the Foundation program and they will put a copy of your diploma in your file for you.
For more about language requirements and other information for international students, visit the International Students page.
We Can Help
We’re here to help you submit an application that best reflects your abilities, and gives you the best chance of being accepted. We've helped thousands of people complete a successful year at VFS by answering questions like these:
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