Our story started at the University of Oxford, where we run a screenwriting course for aspiring writers. The course became so oversubscribed that we began to meet – like all true Oxford writers – in the pub. Post pandemic, we moved to Zoom. Now we help writers across the world to connect, get inspiration, and work through a draft with professional input at every step.
Why?
We challenge formulaic entertainment by making screenwriti...
£280
Craft a better script in just ten weeks through weekly table reads and professional feedback
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£3450
Work through all your writing challenges, from evaluating ideas to forming relationships with producers, guided by a mentor with thirty years’ experience
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£900
Work through any specific writing challenge, like beat sheets or a first draft, with support from a BAFTA-nominated producer. Students I have worked with found employment at Warner Bros, Marvel, Industrial Light and Magic, and Ridley Scott.
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Isabel Palma
Jo Clayton
Kath Falconer
I don't have any formal experience in the TV or Film Industry, but I never found Carl's workshops to be intimidating or unapproachable. Hearing your work read outloud is scary but unbelievably valuable, and it truly is an encouraging space. I really like the structure of focusing on different aspects of your story before diving into your script to flesh out the world you are creating.
Since completing the Online Screenwriting Academy course, I have submitted my pilot to industry competitions and received positive feedback, I made the quarterfinals of one competition and this has given me the confidence to think more seriously about pursuing writing professionally. It has also given me the skills to build my writing portfolio and recognise which ideas can make compelling stories.
Neha Srivastava
This workshop works at a different level of screenwriting, because it makes you write your first draft in 100 days. The feedback is constructive and helps add different perspectives to your story. Procrastinating is a common problem with most writers but the pace of this course does not allow you to keep your pen down. The inputs help you build your characters, plot and structure and before you know you have written a full bound script.
Carl’s course helped me complete three scripts in 300 days. They all won awards at script Fests across the World, including the Remi. The awards helped me meet my agent, who in turn got my script optioned… so I started my journey with vague story in my head, that was concretised at Carl’s academy and now it will be produced. Encouraged by this, I wrote several short stories that were produced and I directed them, they also won awards. A far fetched dream became a reality all thanks to Carl.
Every story has a different journey, mine travelled from India to Oxford to the World.
Saeid Ghasemi
Carl is incredibly supportive, and his amazing management creates a safe and welcoming space for everyone to connect, learn, and grow. His concise yet insightful guidance in every session was invaluable. The course made me more aware of my screenplay’s potential and weaknesses, helping me refine it for the reader. Reading our screenplays aloud in the sessions was an invaluable experience, allowing me to see my work from a new perspective. I enjoyed exploring my creativity and connecting with others in a truly inspiring environment.
Tom Keenan
Neela Doležalová
I first saw the '100 pages in ten weeks' course advertised through the Writers' Guild in 2021. As a teacher and theatre-maker I had been keen to find some affordable training in screenwriting. The course was fantastic for two main reasons. Firstly, Carl facilitates rich conversation between writers. I found that having this writing community throughout the course was particularly motivational. Secondly, Carl's feedback is generous, honest and astute.
I have since worked with Carl for 1-2-1 coaching on my TV pilot, GIRLA. In his coaching role, I am confident that Carl understands my intentions and desires for GIRLA's story. I also trust that he will encourage me to write the best version of my pilot, and will hold me to account against my creative objectives.
Learn how to write your first screenplay with this step-by-step guide—from concept to final draft—powered by expert insights from the Online Screenwriting Academy.
Screenwriting opportunities and course dates around 6 times a year.
Carl is a wonderful tutor with useful insights based on his experiences in the industry. In this class I learned many unexpected lessons that have made me a better and more confident writer. I look forward to learning more from him in future.
Collected by the University of Oxford
The course is really excellent. Carl has been a great tutor and has structured the course well to set up an environment where I feel comfortable sharing my ideas. It’s been an absolute joy every week. Thanks to all involved.
Collected by the University of Oxford
This was a learning experience with Carl wonderfully explaining the core concepts of screenwriting and conducting the course so well.
Collected by the University of Oxford
The course “Getting started on your feature Screenplay“ taught by Carl Schoenfeld was excellent. I have learned a cornucopia of techniques that will help me with my journey into film script writing. I would definitely recommend this class.
Collected by the University of Oxford
Carl was a very good tutor, his knowledge and understanding of the subject was second to none, the course content was well researched and put together to build our understanding of each element covered, Carl was supportive and non judgemental. I really enjoyed the course and feel that I have learned a lot and feel that my screenwriting has progressed considerably as a result of doing it. have signed up for the follow up.
Collected by the University of Oxford
The tutor had great experience, gave very insightful teaching, and showed commitment to the participants and the course. I felt lucky to be with a group of interesting and engaged participants.
Collected by the University of Oxford
It was an excellent introduction to the subject. Carl has a wonderful knowledge of the subject and maintained high levels of engagement.
Collected by the University of Oxford
Excellent opportunity to interact with students of all nationalities. Brilliant experience. Special thanks to Carl for introducing me to screenwriting.
Collected by the University of Oxford
The Cannes Film Festival is a significant opportunity for filmmakers and industry professionals aiming to promote films, build international networks, secure financing, and establish co-productions.
Read and Download the 2025 Oscar's Frontrunner Screenplays
Based on the musical stage play with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
The participation fee for ‘100 Pages in 10 Weeks’ group workshop is £280, but we give discounts for early bookings and returning writers.
For those who need very specific, individual support, or whose life does not allow them to participate in a regular group, we offer 10 x 1hr 121 coaching sessions which can be arranged more flexibly. This costs £900 for the 10 sessions.
‘100 Pages in 10 Weeks’ often has 10, sometimes 11 participants. This allows for everyone who wants to be heard.
All formats are suitable for emerging to mid-career screenwriters; novelists, journalists, filmmakers and actors seeking to diversify their skills and income. We also welcome those returning to regular creative writing after professional or caring commitments, and more advanced writers who want to refresh their writing and networks.
2 hours, weekly, across 10 weeks, though total course length can vary around film festivals and events. 10x1hr 121 coaching is flexible. But you should also allow a day for your writing and research.
The Online Screenwriting Academy was born as the Screenwriting courses at the University of Oxford had been frequently booked up when writers wanted to come back to rely on community and expert support to write another draft, or a new project through our ‘100 Pages in 10 Weeks’ Programme. Since then, more writers come to us through other seminars we delivered to the British Film Institute, Goethe Institute, Screen Ireland and launches through writers guilds.
It depends on your experience and the scope of your story. Even though pilot scripts are mostly shorter than films, you first have to structure the tension across your first season, including teasers that build excitement before the opening credits, and cliffhangers at the end of each episode. If this is one of your first scripts, the structure of a feature film across turning points, complications towards a climax and resolution are more straightforward, and ultimately less screen time to fill. Feature films are mostly around 100 Pages, around 100 minutes, many series are at least 6 or more episodes, for comedy half hour, everything else around one hour long.
In ‘100 Pages in 10 Weeks’ the first session introduces beat sheets as a script development tool, as well as characterisation and its importance for TV shows. The practice of beat sheets originates from legendary screenwriter and director Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, First Reformed) and used in his teaching at the top screenwriting programme at UCLA. Participants get guidance in advance to help them to prepare introducing themselves and their project. In the second session, feature film writers present their beat sheet which regularly becomes their best friend as they write their first draft. TV writers present short descriptions of their characters, as their potential to allow much love, hate, alliance, betrayal between them becomes the seed from which the initial pilot can grow into multiple seasons.
