Classroom to hold 25 students.
DVD and Television with good sound.
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Carver R. (1983): The Stories of Raymond Carver, Picador
Campbell J. (1997): The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Sceptre
Cottrell, (2003) Skills for Success
Drew & Bingham The Students Skills Guide
Field S. (1979): Screenplay, Dell
Lewellyn & Walker, (2004), A Career Handbook for TV, Radio, Film, Video and Interactive Media
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)
Trotter, David. (1998): The Screenwriter's Bible, Silman-James

The module will run with a varied teaching and learning approach, with a variety of workshops, seminars, presentations, and group and individual tutorials. The first Teaching Block will explore career-related issues and themes appertaining to screenwriting employment. The second Teaching Block will consist of an academic and creative introduction to the art and craft of screenwriting.

Key Information Set:
Learning & Teaching:
24% Scheduled L & T Activities;
76% Guided Independent Learning

This module is designed to introduce Screenwriting students to University in general, and the degree course in particular, as well as to the art and craft of screenwriting itself. It will be divided into two halves, each half being of one Teaching Block's length.

In Teaching Block 1, you will be asked to undertake various weekly tasks that will equip you with a wide range of personal and professional skills relevant to their University life, as well as life and career beyond graduation. The module will nurture you in acquiring the following skills: academic and journalistic research methods; collaborative working; public speaking; time management; organisation of projects and research; writing in different registers; presenting (both individually and in groups); reflecting; and thinking critically.

In Teaching Block 2, the module will introduce you to the art and craft of screenwriting for film and television. You will be provided with the opportunity to commence writing short narrative story outlines and screenplays for film and television, and subsequently start to develop your ideas and style in the process. You will gain an understanding of the contribution of the screenwriter to film and television productions, particularly with regard to their crucial importance in the creative process.

The module's content will be a mixture of formative, unassessed, tasks and summative assessments. The formative tasks will be set on a weekly basis. The summative assessments will be set at strategic points during the semester - at the end of Teaching Block 1 and at the end of Teaching Block 2 respectively - in order to compliment your increased learning and confidence throughout the modular experience.

Assessment is in two parts:

1. GROUP INTERVIEW and 15-MINUTE PRESENTATION (50% weighting).
You will work in a group of three or four to research possible interviewees from a range of self-selected
professional screenwriters. The group interviews one screenwriter regarding career-related issues. The
group then presents its findings to the rest of the module cohort.
(L.O. 1-2)

2. A SCREENPLAY and accompanying CRITICAL ANALYSIS ESSAY (50% weighting)
The screenplay is of between 5 and 15 pages (in orthodox film industry layout format).
Write a complete short screenplay for film or television. This must be accompanied by a prose story outline for the screenplay (length: 100 - 300 words).
The Critical Analysis is of 2000 words length. It should be of selected scenes from two or three short, or feature-length, screenplays.
(L.O. 3-5)

Further details of both assessments will be provided in the module handbook.

Key Information Set:
Assessment:
50% Practical Exam
50% Coursework