Module Information

Module Identifier
TFM7530
Module Title
Writing for Soap
Academic Year
2013/2014
Co-ordinator
Mrs Lucy Penelope Gough
Semester
Semester 2

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 4 x 8 hour lecture/workshop sessions
Seminars / Tutorials 1 x 1 hour personal tutorial
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Half a full-length episode script and scene-by-scene document  70%
Semester Assessment Collaborative story-lining and 300 word self-assessment  30%
Supplementary Assessment Half a full-length episode script and Scene by Scene document  70%
Supplementary Assessment 600 word self-assessment of process  30%

Aims

This module gives students the opportunity to explore the world of writing for soap. While soap is included within most postgraduate scriptwriting courses, this module is unique in that it focuses solely on this genre.

Brief description

Students learn the skills necessary to write for soap & long-form drama, including story-lining, script layout, drafting, how to build an episode and professional practice

Content

To be taught over the course of 4 full days, plus a personal tutorial meeting towards the end of the course. The tutorial will usually be an hour-long one-to-one meeting for each student with the tutor.

Topics covered:

  • Introduction to soap and long-form drama
  • How to get work out there
  • The storyline conference
  • Writing a script
  • First draft
  • How to write an episode

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Not assessed or developed
Communication The ability to communicate ideas within the professional environment is key; this is assessed in the 'collaborative story-lining' component, which will be assessed by the tutor throughout that process within the classroom.
Improving own Learning and Performance Students are expected to drive their own learning and to develop their own unique creative approaches; this will be assessed by the scene-by-scene document and script.
Information Technology Students will be required to make full use of the library facilities and master internet research and computer-based script formats which are usual within the industry. Their submission should be to industry standards.
Personal Development and Career planning This will be discussed over the course of the module, and is addresses specifically in the introduction.
Problem solving This element is not assessed directly, however all scriptwriting involves problem solving: what type of character will best convey a particular theme? What plot devices will most effectively propel the story to the next plot point? The effectiveness with which the author has solved problems is evident in the quality of the finished product.
Research skills The storyline and scene-by-scene document will reflect the student's ability to view long-form drama with a critical eye. They will have to apply this knowledge to make informed decisions about their own work.
Subject Specific Skills
Team work Students will have the opportunity to access and give feedback on each other's work, this is particularly relevant with the collaborative story-lining element of the module.

Reading List

Recommended Text
Aritstotle (1996) Poetics Penguin Primo search Curry, Chris (2002) Writing for Soap A & C Black Primo search Pennels, A and C. Cooper (2011) UK Soap Opera Script Writing Handbook Kindle Primo search Sophocles (1984) Three Theban Plays Penguin Primo search Thompson, Chris (2011) Writing Soaps: How to write popular continuing drama Abergele: Aber Publishing Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7