At this point, the question often arises, “Do I need a college degree?” No.
Film industry people do look at a writer’s education and take formal training
as a sign of dedication and professionalism. But the value of education depends
on how a person uses it. Education helps to develop skills and will make the
work easier, but it is not a magic bullet. Ultimately, what counts is having an
original story that works dramatically and cinematically.
To sum up, screenwriters need to understand three arts:
Writing
Drama
Cinema (Revealing a story through visual images)
It's okay to change the order. For example, one could gain a command of
drama and then sharpen writing skills before taking on the challenge of
presenting a story cinematically. One does need, however, at least a working
knowledge of all three arts. Granted, it’s a lot to learn. That’s why it’s best
not to worry about time limits. Crafting a good screenplay can take months,
even years. You will be ready when you are ready. Fortunately, in
screenwriting, patience, hard work and persistence lead to success.