Scriptwriting for Beginners: Writing for Radio, Theatre, Film and TV

Overview

Do you have an idea for a film, television, radio or theatre script but don’t know how to begin? Have you written a script but need to redraft or reinvigorate it? Would you like to write better dialogue, more exciting plots, or bring your characters to life?

This is a beginners course that provides students with a practical and theoretical guide to scriptwriting. You will learn how to develop characters, story and plot, as well as how to structure your script and write dialogue.

In this course we will focus on writing the beginning of your script, covering the basics of scriptwriting to help you be able to write a full-length script.

You will then complete further activities online and submit your final assessment. Your tutor will provide online support for the duration of the course. The course will provide a safe, supportive space to share work.

Programme

The module is delivered through Blackboard, with the eight units delivered via Panopto presentations. Activities and tasks will be embedded into each unit so students can practise the techniques they have learned and develop their skills.
Alongside the learning materials on Blackboard, the tutor will be on hand via email to answer any queries and provide guidance throughout the course. The course will also include one in-person teaching day, two-thirds of the way through the course. The course will also offer the students the opportunity to get detailed feedback on their draft before the final submission

• Unit 1 - Developing an idea exploring concept, themes and other fundamentals to determine if the idea has the potential to be a script, exploring possible formats and whether an idea is right for television, film, theatre or radio. Students complete their script online.
• Unit 2 - 3 Developing story through character development with practical exercises including exploring protagonists and antagonists, active and dormant goals and objectives, naturalistic and non-naturalistic characterisation, and the importance of research for characterisation. 
• Unit 4 - Creating dialogue through characterisation and different types of dialogue for styles, genre and format. Attend in-person teaching day.
• Unit 5 - 7 An overview of structures in theatre, film, television and radio and various techniques for developing structure to provide a basic framework for a story.
• Unit 8 - An exploration of the fundamentals of beginnings of scripts which will include examples from current scripts to explore beginning a script.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:  

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the differing creative demands of various script mediums including radio, theatre, TV and film.
2. Adhere to various requirements and utilise techniques and themes to create the beginning of a script, which is part of an overall structure.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of character and character development.
4. Evaluate your script draft and identify areas for redrafting and editing.

Assessments

1. Script outline 250 words (20%)
2. Submit the first section of a script; 2500 words (80%)

Reading Suggestions

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course. 

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements.

What Do I Need?

As this is an online course, you would need the following:

• Internet access
• Access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also be of benefit
• Use of the Chrome web-browser where possible.