Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 7 x 3 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | 1,500 words - written scene by scene. | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | First draft of first 20 pages of a script. | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 1,500 words - written scene by scene. | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | First draft of first 20 pages of a script. | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate a detailed working knowledge of story structure.
2. Show an ability to write concise and effective description and dialogue.
3. Show an ability to reveal character and characterisation through description and dialogue.
4. Display the professional attitude required of a working scriptwriter.
5. Demonstrate a working knowledge of a scene by scene.
Brief description
Students will develop their technical skills as scriptwriters, enabling them to ensure their words ‘lift off the page’. They will begin to give and receive critical feedback with their peers, and will enhance their understanding and practice of the various processes and requirements of scriptwriting, in readiness for the development of their own original long-form script in the following module, Scriptwriting 2.
Content
7 x 3 hour Lecture/workshops
Indicative content: 7x 3 hour workshops that will include a short break gap after week 5 during which the students are expected to prepare some writing for the following workshop sessions:
Session 1: Writing a scene by scene.
Session 2: Story and beginnings.
Session 3: Descriptive action and character writing.
Session 4: Writing dialogue.
Session 5: Layout and building a scene.
Session 6: Practical session and peer review of scenes written. and discussion of what has been learnt.
Session 7: Hearing written work off the page. Recap of the course.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | |
| Communication | Written communication skills are at the heart of all the work a student does. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students are expected to drive their own learning and to develop their own unique creative approaches. |
| 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. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | This will be discussed over the course, and is implicitly embedded in all assessed work. |
| 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 outline will reflect the student’s ability to read widely and 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 | An understanding of structure, dialogue, description, how to bring a story to life, and working in a three-dimensional form are all specific skills associated with scriptwriting. |
| Team work | Students will work in teams for some workshops. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6