Writing for Film, Television & Games
How to ApplyDevelop an absolute command of the craft of storytelling, and a deep understanding of the world of film, television and games at the best scriptwriting program in Vancouver.
Creative Economy
VFS’s signature programs and facilities are at the heart of a creative economy worth $3.4 billion in B.C. alone. From film production and 3D animation to game, digital, and VR/AR design, VFS is helping shape the entertainment and media industries’ transformation. In 2024, VFS alumni were credited on all 10 of the highest grossing domestic films, grossing more than $3.8 billion.
The VFS Advantage
The future belongs to creative thinkers who practice hands-on and collaborate in production environments – while also learning & embracing the rapidly-developing technologies used by the industry and changing how productions work.
PRODUCTION FACILITIES MATCHING INDUSTRY:
Go beyond computer labs and classrooms. VFS’s Production Centre gets you creating & collaborating in a real studio environment from day one, working with industry-level tools in pro-grade spaces: motion capture volume, black box studios, 180° green screen studio, & more.
MUCH GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR CROSS-PROGRAM COLLABORATION:
Many schools offer only one program/discipline. At VFS, you’ll create alongside students from our Film Production, Animation, Game Design, and Foundation Visual Art & Design programs – giving you the full scope of film, TV, and game pipelines.
UNMATCHED INDUSTRY INTEGRATION:
We define ourselves as being the school that industry comes to first. VFS works directly with the industry to ensure students are training to current, real-world standards from day one. Our curriculum and Production Centre are shaped by active industry practices, workflows, and expectations. Through partnerships with the world’s leading companies, students gain meaningful exposure to professional pipelines and environments.
A VFS Writing for Film, Television & Games Education
In 12 months you will graduate with:
- A screenwriting diploma in Writing for Film, Television & Games
- A diverse portfolio of your work, designed to open doors
- Access to the VFS Alumni Directory & Job Board
- Industry connections that will help guide your career
VFS's Production-Based Model
VFS’s 12-month diploma programs have always centered around immersing you in production, for a hands-on experience that closely reflects real industry environments and workflows. For flexibility, we have added options that allow you to select different delivery models – either fully in-person over 12 months or an online/on-campus hybrid experience.
FUNDAMENTALS
Create the start of your screenwriting portfolio – a polished short script and the blueprint of your first feature screenplay. Aimed at aspiring writers and directors interested in building a foundational skill set in screenwriting.
Term: 1
DEVELOPMENT
Write your first feature film and TV pilot. Create a professional design document for your original game idea.
Terms: 2-4
ADVANCED WRITING
In small groups, plan and write a long form project (i.e., TV pilot and 2nd episode, feature film, advanced design/dialogue/pitch docs for an original game). Includes mentorship with an industry screenwriter.
Terms: 5-6
On-Campus Delivery
DURATION:
On-Campus: 1 year
YOU’LL GRADUATE WITH:
A powerful production portfolio (feature film, short script, TV spec & pilot, and intro design docs for a game) for entry-level jobs.
AFTER GRADUATION:
Apply for mid-level positions in global film, TV, and game marketplaces. You will have enough portfolio material to seek representation.
- Synopsis of original feature film, television, or video game project (one page maximum), including your concept and vision
- 2-4 other creative writing samples
- $20,950 (Domestic)
- $29,000 (INT’L)
Hybrid Delivery
VFS's new Hybrid Model will allow writers of various backgrounds and skill levels to access our program through a combination of online & on-campus learning. With entry/completion points at each stage, you have the option to enrol in select stages only or take breaks in between. Each stage offers its own completion certificate, but completing all three stages earns you your diploma.
This is VFS’s signature, hands-on training – delivered differently.
With entry and completion points at each stage, this model is truly designed to meet your training needs. Enrol in select stages only (*prerequisites required) and/or take breaks in between. Each stage offers its own certificate of completion, but students who complete all three stages receive their VFS diploma for the best preparation possible for the fast-changing industry of today and tomorrow.
TERM: 1
DURATION:
Online: 3 months
YOU’LL COMPLETE WITH:
Fundamental screenwriting knowledge, the start of your career portfolio, and the prerequisites to continue into Stage 2
AFTER YOU COMPLETE:
- Continue on to Stage 2 for further training/production experience, OR
- With your new skill set, continue writing independent short films and work towards long form writing opportunities over time
- Synopsis of original feature film, television, or video game project (one page maximum), including your concept and vision
- 2-4 other creative writing samples
- $2,500 CAD (DOMESTIC)
- $3,000 CAD (INT’L)
Term: 2-4
DURATION:
On-Campus: 6 months
YOU’LL COMPLETE WITH:
A powerful production portfolio (feature film, short script, TV spec & pilot, and intro design docs for a game) for entry-level jobs.
AFTER YOU COMPLETE:
- Continue on to Stage 3 for further training/production experience, OR
- Use your specialized production portfolio to apply for entry level jobs at film, TV, and game studios in North America
- Completion of Stage 1 OR
- Completion of VFS’s Screenwriting Fundamentals Short-Track certificate course OR
- A degree/diploma from an accredited school/program in Creative Writing, Media Studies, or Communications OR
- An experienced filmmaker with directing/producing credits on IMDb and a 4-page creative writing sample (including dialogue)
- $10,500 CAD (DOMESTIC)
- $16,000 CAD (INT’L)
Term: 5-6
DURATION:
On-Campus: 4 months
OR
Online: 4 months
YOU’LL GRADUATE WITH:
A polished screenwriting project for mid-level job applications
AFTER GRADUATION:
With your writing project serving as the signature piece of your portfolio, apply for mid-level positions in global film, TV, and game marketplaces. Students who complete both Stage 2 and Stage 3 will have enough portfolio material to seek representation.
- Completion of Stage 2 OR
- A long-form screenwriting project (feature film or a TV series pitch with pilot and 2nd episode)
- A certificate/diploma in screenwriting from an accredited school/program
- $20,950 (Domestic)
- $29,000 (INT’L)
Program Overview
Term 01
Develop fundamental skills in visual storytelling, structure, character, format, and genre.
Term 02
Commit to character and story development for film with your first feature screenplay.
Term 03
Workshop the first drafts of your feature and TV scripts.
Term 04
Specialize in film, TV or games writing, and begin work on your final project.
Term 05
Electives include writing for comics, video games, and writing for commercials.
Term 06
Complete drafts of your final feature film script or TV pilot for your final project, and polish it through intense workshopping.
Admissions Info
To make sure you have accurate admissions information please select your region based on country of citizenship.
Tuition
Start Dates
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) summary. Provide the genre and use references to other movies, television shows and/or games to explain how you would write the project. Explain the concept, vision, and/or idea.
• Provide at least two (maximum four) creative writing samples between 4-10 pages each.
• Please submit all documents as one merged PDF.
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.
Student Work
While training at VFS, students are immersed in the Writing for Film, Television & Games industry, and spend a lot of hands-on time creating professional-quality work. And, nothing is a greater testament to the incomparable industry resources and career preparation that define VFS’s education model, than the top quality work our students produce. Here, a portfolio of outstanding work is just the beginning. Just take a look.
Dos Pesos
Written and Directed by Cristina Martínez
A Rabbit Called Jack
Written and Directed by Sofia Auza
Torture
Created by Jonas Roy Bjarnason
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