Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV or Web Series (Project-Centered Course) (Coursera)

Script Writing: Write a Pilot Episode for a TV or Web Series (Project-Centered Course) (Coursera)

In this project-centered course, you will design a series bible and write a complete pilot episode for your own unique television or web series, be it drama or comedy or something in between. You’ll learn to break down the creative process into components, and you’ll discover a structured process that allows you to produce a polished and pitch-ready script in just a few weeks. Completing this project will increase your confidence in your ideas and abilities, and you’ll feel prepared to pitch your first script and get started on your next.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

This is a course designed to tap into your creativity and is based in "Active Learning". Most of the actual learning takes place within your own activities - that is, writing! You will learn by doing.
"Thank you so much for your direct way of teaching this course. It was encouraging for us all to creatively flow and find our own voice in writing and developing our scripts. This aspect was very important to me." Ingrid
The course curriculum is simple: you’ll write, revise your work, and share feedback with your peers.
I am a proponent of Experiential Learning (active learning). My lectures are short (sometimes just two minutes long) and to the point, designed in a step-by-step process essential to your success as a script writer. I will guide you but I won’t "show" you how to write. I firmly believe that the only way to become a writer is to write, write, write.
“David's lecture style for this course is inspired. The videos are succinct and engaging. When I watch the lectures I feel David’s sincere desire for me to create something truly amazing. He is teaching us how to write a script, and he is providing wisdom and tools that will help us do so in a compelling way - by writing; not by watching him talk at us.” - A R Adamson
What you’ll need to get started:
To begin with, any basic word processor will do. During week two, you can choose to download some free scriptwriting software such as Celtx or Trelby or you may choose to purchase Final Draft, or you can continue to use your word processor and do your own script formatting.
Learner Review: "I am in love with this course. Having never written a script before, or any substantive fiction since college (15 years ago) I had a small idea in my head that has now exploded into something I really believe in. David's guidance is spot on, he's his own compelling story teller, he gives you enough, and then you have to figure it out, make it happen, WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! "
If you have any concerns regarding the protection of your original work, Coursera's privacy policy protects the learner's IP and you are indeed the sole owners of your work.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Develop your TV series concept
In Module 1 you will: 1. create a brief outline of your pilot episode, 2. revise your outline following peer review, 3. create a bible for the series: that is, you will develop your original idea for a series into a document that defines the concept, the major characters and brief descriptions of the episodes for season one.

WEEK 2
Write Act One of your pilot episode
In Module 2 you will complete the 1st act of your episode (or the 1st installment of your Web Series) You will: 1. create a brief outline of your pilot episode. 2. revise your episode outline following peer review, 3. create a detailed outline of your first act, 4. revise your Act One outline following peer review, 5. write your first act in screenplay format, 6. revise your Act One script after peer review.

WEEK 3
Write Act Two
In this module you will complete the second act of your episode (or the 2nd installment of your Web Series).
You will: 1. write a detailed outline of the second act, 2. revise your outline following peer review, 3. write the second act in screenplay format, 4. revise your second act following peer review.

WEEK 4
Act Three
In module 4 you will complete the 3rd act of your episode (or the third installment of your Web Series). You will: 1. write a detailed outline of Act Three, 2. revise your outline following peer review, 3. Write Act Three in screenplay format, 4. Revise your act following peer review

WEEK 5
Polish your script, create a Cold Open and finish the Season One Bible
In Module 5 you will 1. polish the completed script of your episode (or your three Webisodes), 2. create a Cold Open, 3. revise the Series Bible based on your finished script, 4 submit the Final Script and Series Bible for final review.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Fundamentals of Speechwriting (Coursera) Coursera
Coursera Instructor Network

Fundamentals of Speechwriting (Coursera)

Fundamentals of Speechwriting is a course that enhances speechwriting skills by deepening learners’ understanding of the impact of key elements on developing coherent and impactful speeches. It is aimed at learners with experience writing and speaking who wish to enhance their current skills. This course covers strategies for analyzing audience and purpose, selecting style and tone, and incorporating rhetorical appeals and storytelling.

Sep 14th 2026
1 Week
Engagement & Nurture Marketing Strategies (Coursera) Coursera
Northwestern University

Engagement & Nurture Marketing Strategies (Coursera)

In this third course in the Social Marketing Specialization - "The Engagement & Nurture Marketing Strategies" - you will learn two of the most effective social strategies used by organizations today. You'll see real-world best practice examples and learn what metrics they use to gauge success. You will also learn the importance of infographics and the impact a well-designed landing page can have on your bottom line.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Fundamentos de la escritura (Coursera) Coursera
Tecnológico de Monterrey

Fundamentos de la escritura (Coursera)

La redacción de un texto, cualquiera que este sea, implica conocer y dominar las reglas y estrategias que hacen del producto final un escrito coherente, de lectura ágil y adecuado al público que se destina. Por medio de ejercicios, videos y ejemplos reales, el primer módulo (Semana 1 y 2) guía al alumno en el proceso de aplicación y dominio de normas elementales de ortografía y puntuación.

Sep 14th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop (Coursera) Coursera
California Institute of the Arts

Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop (Coursera)

Why just write poems when you can write better ones? This course is built on the notion that the most exciting writing begins after the first draft. It is specifically for folks who believe that writing poems just to express oneself is like using the Internet just for email. After all, poetry can change the way you and your readers think of the world and its inhabitants; it can break new ground for language; turn a blank sheet of paper into a teeming concert of voices and music.

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Translation in Practice (Coursera) Coursera
Nanjing University

Translation in Practice (Coursera)

This course offers you basic but valuable techniques used by a good translator in the translation between English and Chinese. We’ll discuss what is translation, what is good translation, and learn about how to produce good translations. All the examples used in this course are taken from the course instructor's own translations of various genres and topics of writing.

Sep 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Write Your First Novel (Coursera) Coursera
Michigan State University

Write Your First Novel (Coursera)

If you’ve ever had the dream, the desire or even just a vague notion that you would like to write a novel, this course is for you. Whether you are a full-time student, have a full-time job, a family to take care of or all of the above, you can do it. Really! And I will help you get there.

Sep 14th 2026
+25 Weeks
Writing and Editing: Revising (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Writing and Editing: Revising (Coursera)

This fourth and final course in the “Good with Words: Writing and Editing” series will help you master perhaps the most important step in the writing process: revising. You’ll learn about the difference between editing and proofreading. You’ll practice “un-numbing the numbers” so that data and statistics you use are clear and compelling. And you’ll be introduced to a framework for giving and receiving feedback that helpfully systematizes what should be cut and what should be kept from each draft.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Getting Started with Essay Writing (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Getting Started with Essay Writing (Coursera)

Course 2: Getting Started with Essay Writing. This is the second course in the Academic English: Writing specialization. By introducing you to three types of academic essays, this course will especially help prepare you for work in college classes, but anyone who wants to improve his or her writing skills can benefit from this course.

Sep 7th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Fandom, Social Media, and Authenticity in the Digital Age (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Fandom, Social Media, and Authenticity in the Digital Age (Coursera)

"Fandom, Social Media, and Authenticity in the Digital Age" focuses your attention on the interconnected dynamics of identity, representation, interpretation, and self-reflection. It asks the question: how, where, and with whom do we inhabit the worlds of fandom and popular culture in the digital age? We will explore the role of digital media in the production of celebrity and fandom, using social media tools and platforms as a running case study. More broadly, the course is about what media studies scholar Henry Jenkins has called “participatory culture,” the processes by which bring our selves into digital spaces, establish trust and authenticity (or challenge these concepts), and negotiate identity in and amongst others.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Writing your World: Finding yourself in the academic space (Coursera) Coursera
University of Cape Town

Writing your World: Finding yourself in the academic space (Coursera)

Throughout the world, writing serves to express, record and even create meaningful moments. In academic spaces, writing becomes the bridge between ourselves and the world of ideas. In this course, we provide practical insights into how to write an academic essay. We show you how to develop the academic skills needed to be a competent academic writer. You will have an opportunity to engage with texts written by academics, and to see how some of the ideas in these texts are used by students in constructing an academic essay.

Aug 31st 2026
4 Weeks
Teaching Reluctant Writers (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Teaching Reluctant Writers (Coursera)

All educators will encounter students who struggle with writing. This course first focuses on the reasons student writers may be reluctant and then provides learners with a variety of strategies and practices to help reluctant writers develop a greater comfort and confidence with writing. Learners will examine classroom relationships, mentoring, scaffolding, conferencing, low-risk writing and mini-lessons, all tools and techniques that can be brought right into the classroom to help struggling writers increase student participation and success in writing.

Aug 31st 2026
13-24 Weeks
Just Reading and Writing English 1 (Coursera) Coursera
Tsinghua University

Just Reading and Writing English 1 (Coursera)

Do you want to communicate with English speakers fluently? Welcome to our course. The course consists of 6 units with different topics: feelings, staying healthy, learning, university, cultural differences, and cities. From this course, you will have a good knowledge of primary English reading and writing skills in your daily life.

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks