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Writing the Film or TV Adaptation

woman with laptop and book
SCRIPT X 465.7E

Learn what makes a good adaptation for film or television as well as creative and practical methods for this unique and specific undertaking.

Duration
As few as 11 weeks
Units
3.0
Current Formats
Live Online
Cost
Starting at $820.00

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What you can learn.

Compare current adaptations to their source material
Get insight into how to expand or condense a story or compress or expand time
Pay attention to how the script must turn the source medium into a compelling tale rooted in visual storytelling
Develop your own idea for an adaptation and experiment by adapting specific scenes to practice these craft techniques

About This Course

From Oppenheimer to Bridgerton, many great films and television series are adaptations. Adaptation is the craft of taking existing source material and creating a new work in another medium. Virtually every story -- from novels to newspaper columns to video games -- can be adapted into a story for film or TV! This course focuses on what makes a good adaptation and teaches both creative and practical methods for this very unique writing craft. From Killers of the Flower Moon to The Last of Us, you compare current films and TV series to their source material, then adapt scenes from a source of their choice to learn the creative process required to translate a story from another medium. You learn techniques and practical methods specific to adaptation, including how to extend or condense a story, compress and expand time, combine several characters into a composite and open up a story visually. Finally, you have the chance to develop your own idea for an adaptation. This unique craft is must for every writer’s toolkit! 

Spring 2026 Schedule

Date
Details
Format
 
-
Monday 5:00PM - 8:00PM PT
Instructor:
REG#
407919
Fee:
$820.00
Live Onlineformat icon
Remote Classroom
Updating...
Notes

No meeting on May 25.

Enrollment limited to 15 students; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course is held via video teleconference. Instructors use Zoom to offer live class meetings at the designated class meeting time. Students must be present at the course meeting time as each student’s final grade may include scores for participation. Please inform your instructor if you will miss a class meeting. You are responsible for any class information you missed. We suggest you arrange with a fellow classmate to share their notes when feasible.

Deadline
Refunds only available from February 02, 2026 to April 12, 2026
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
(Optional) BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN by PROULX, ANNIE, MCMURTRY, LARRY, AND OSSANA, DIANA
ART OF ADAPTATION by SEGER, LINDA
(Optional) ADAPTATION : THE SHOOTING SCRIPT by KAUFMAN, CHARLIE AND MCKEE, ROBERT
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Online
Mon Mar 30, 2026
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Mon Apr 6, 2026
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Mon Apr 13, 2026
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Mon Apr 20, 2026
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Mon Apr 27, 2026
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Mon May 4, 2026
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Mon May 11, 2026
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Mon May 18, 2026
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Mon Jun 1, 2026
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom
Online
Mon Jun 8, 2026
5:00PM PT - 8:00PM PT
Remote Classroom