Module Descriptors
INTRODUCTION TO SCREENWRITING
FTVR40257
Key Facts
Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies
Level 4
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Christopher Manuel
Email: C.J.Manuel@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 48
Independent Study Hours: 252
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- CRITICAL ANALYSIS weighted at 50%
- SCRIPT weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Indicative Content
The module will introduce students to the art and craft of screenwriting for film and television;
Provide students with the opportunity to commence writing short narrative story outlines and screenplays for film and television, and subsequently start to develop their own ideas and style in the process;
Provide students with the opportunity to gain an initial understanding of the contribution of the screenwriter to film and television productions, particularly with regard to their crucial importance in the creative process.
Provide students with the opportunity to commence writing short narrative story outlines and screenplays for film and television, and subsequently start to develop their own ideas and style in the process;
Provide students with the opportunity to gain an initial understanding of the contribution of the screenwriter to film and television productions, particularly with regard to their crucial importance in the creative process.
Module Additional Assessment Details
Assessment is in two parts, each of 50% weighting:
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS (2000 words) of selected scenes from two or three short, or feature-length, screenplays. (L.O. 1, 2, 3)
A SCRIPT of between 10 and 30 pages (in orthodox film industry layout format), consisting of a complete short screenplay for film or television. This must be accompanied by a prose story outline for the screenplay (length: 100 - 300 words). (L.O. 2, 3, 4, 5)
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS (2000 words) of selected scenes from two or three short, or feature-length, screenplays. (L.O. 1, 2, 3)
A SCRIPT of between 10 and 30 pages (in orthodox film industry layout format), consisting of a complete short screenplay for film or television. This must be accompanied by a prose story outline for the screenplay (length: 100 - 300 words). (L.O. 2, 3, 4, 5)
Module Learning Strategies
Twenty-four (24) two-hour (2-hr) workshops, in which students will engage in a variety of group-based activities, including:
Analysis of the screenwriter's contribution to film and television productions;
Critical analysis of individual scenes and sequences from various fiction screenplays;
Group writing tasks on such areas as dialogue, character, and plotting;
Screenings of film and television productions, in whole or in part;
Script read-throughs;
Discussions.
The onus throughout the workshops is on group work and the sharing of ideas, opinions, and developing skills as they emerge.
Analysis of the screenwriter's contribution to film and television productions;
Critical analysis of individual scenes and sequences from various fiction screenplays;
Group writing tasks on such areas as dialogue, character, and plotting;
Screenings of film and television productions, in whole or in part;
Script read-throughs;
Discussions.
The onus throughout the workshops is on group work and the sharing of ideas, opinions, and developing skills as they emerge.
Module Texts
Carver R. (1983): `The Stories of Raymond Carver'. Picador
Campbell J. (1997): `The Hero with a Thousand Faces'. Sceptre
Field S. (1979): 'Screenplay'. Dell
McKee R. (1998): 'Story'. Methuen
Mosley W. (1998): `Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned' .Serpents Tail
Polanski R. (1974):`Chinatown' (DVD). Paramount
Towne R. (1974):`Chinatown' (original Screenplay)
NB: other texts to be used as required.
Campbell J. (1997): `The Hero with a Thousand Faces'. Sceptre
Field S. (1979): 'Screenplay'. Dell
McKee R. (1998): 'Story'. Methuen
Mosley W. (1998): `Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned' .Serpents Tail
Polanski R. (1974):`Chinatown' (DVD). Paramount
Towne R. (1974):`Chinatown' (original Screenplay)
NB: other texts to be used as required.
Module Resources
DVD and VHS playback facilities.
Professional scripts.
Workshop classroom to house a maximum of fifteen (15) students.
The Blackboard virtual leanring environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.
Professional scripts.
Workshop classroom to house a maximum of fifteen (15) students.
The Blackboard virtual leanring environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.