Six Months Course In Screenwriting And Film Direction

It all begins with ideas, images, and stories—the very inspirations that may have brought you here. Yet, having a great story alone is not enough. The journey from story to screen demands skill, discipline, and a deep understanding of cinematic language. How do you pitch an idea with impact? How do you shape it so that the audience feels precisely what you intend? Mastering screenwriting means balancing creativity with craft.

At Mindscreen Film Institute, our Screenwriting Film Direction program is designed to transform aspiring writers into confident, effective screenwriters. By blending the art of storytelling with the fundamentals of film grammar, students learn to think cinematically. The curriculum explores key elements such as shot composition, editing rhythms, montage, cinematic time, and lensing—tools that shape how stories are experienced on screen.

Through guided practice, collaborative feedback, and hands-on writing labs, students develop strong narrative skills and acquire the techniques needed to craft compelling, emotionally resonant scripts that translate seamlessly to film.

Filmmaking is both an art and a craft, and while some legendary directors have succeeded without formal training, structured guidance can accelerate your journey to mastery. At Mindscreen Film Institute, our Screenwriting Film Direction program is designed to equip aspiring directors with the skills, insights, and confidence to bring their vision to life.

Guided by experienced faculty, students gain hands-on training in directing actors, planning shots, managing production, and shaping every element of storytelling. They develop the skills and tools needed to translate ideas into compelling films while mastering the nuances of cinematic language and visual storytelling.

While often described simply as “an individual who directs,” the role of a director is far more complex. Unlike technical roles such as cinematographers, editors, or sound designers, a director oversees the entire creative process, guiding performances, managing the energy and morale of the crew, and serving as the visionary who unites all elements of production.

Success in this role requires strong leadership, technical proficiency, and—above all—a clear creative vision. Mindscreen Film Institute’s six months Screenwriting and Film Direction program is designed to cultivate these qualities. Through hands-on filmmaking exercises and collaborative projects, students refine their directorial skills while gaining a deep understanding of both theory and practical techniques, equipping them to lead productions with confidence and creativity.

Foundation – Film and Art Appreciation

Build a strong understanding of cinema, visual storytelling, and the arts to inform and inspire your creative work.

• Story structure and theory: Aristotelian principles, Hero’s Journey, dramaturgy, and archetypes
• Observational (actuality), self-reflexive, and adaptation writing
• Writing exercises across formats: scenes, shorts, features, and series
• Practical skills: pitch bibles, synopses, and scripts using industry-standard software
• Throughout the program, students write regularly under faculty guidance, submitting weekly assignments and a final script to demonstrate their growth and mastery.

• Photography and Cinematography
• Explore the art and craft of visual storytelling through photo stories and hands-on camera practice. Learn composition, magnification, volume, and scale, and understand depth, lenses, and space—not just as technical tools, but as instruments for expression and cinematic experience. Discover how space can contain drama and function as drama itself.

• Master montage as the primary function of cinema, with exercises in time expansion and compression. Gain practical experience with non-linear, software-based editing, editing classroom exercises independently to develop creative and technical proficiency.
• Continuity Exercise Film
• Create 3–5-minute action-based films, dramatizing real or imagined events to strengthen storytelling and directorial skills.
• Sound and Music
• Understand sound both scientifically and experientially, and explore music as a tool for emotion. Gain hands-on experience with recording, synchronised sound, dubbing, foley, and background scoring. Participate in studio visits and sessions with industry experts to learn professional techniques and insights.

• Scene Construction, Dialogue, and Performance
• Learn to craft compelling scenes through dialogue, gestures, and actor performances. Study classical texts such as Natyashastra alongside modern acting techniques, with hands-on acting sessions and exposure to drama and literature to strengthen your storytelling.
• Mise-en-Scène
• Master decor, staging, blocking, rhythm, and movement. Understand how graphical elements, spatial composition, and cinematic time shape the visual and emotional impact of a scene.
• Practical Exercises and Projects
• 5–7-minute fiction: Dialogue-focused exercise
• Production training: Pre-production, execution, and post-production
• Pitching and networking: Learn to present ideas effectively and build industry connections
• Final project: 10–12-minute short film
• Screening and graduation: Showcase your work and celebrate your achievements

The Final Fiction Project is entirely self-funded, encouraging students to take full ownership of their film—from budgeting to execution—while developing independence and practical decision-making skills. Throughout the process, Mindscreen Film Institute provides expert mentorship and production guidance, helping students bring their creative vision to life and navigate real-world filmmaking challenges.

To enhance the learning experience, the institute provides the latest lighting equipment and other essential accessories for key exercises, including:

• Continuity Exercise
• Dialogue Exercise