Module Descriptors
WRITING PICTURES
FTVR50466
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 5
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Margaret Leclere
Email: M.Leclere@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 18
Independent Study Hours: 132
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- SEMINAR PRESENTATION weighted at 30%
- SCRIPT weighted at 60%
- PROJECT EVALUATION weighted at 10%
Module Details
Texts
Eisenstein, S. (1986) The Film Sense: Faber & Faber
Everson, W. K. (1998) American Silent Film: De Capo Press
Murch, W. (2001) In The Blink of an Eye, Silman-James Press
Rabiger, M. & Hubris-Cherrier, M. (2013) Directing - Film Technique and Aesthetics: Focal Press
Tarkovsky, A. (2010) Sculpting in Time: University of Texas Press
A full list of recommended reading is listed in the Module Handbook
Everson, W. K. (1998) American Silent Film: De Capo Press
Murch, W. (2001) In The Blink of an Eye, Silman-James Press
Rabiger, M. & Hubris-Cherrier, M. (2013) Directing - Film Technique and Aesthetics: Focal Press
Tarkovsky, A. (2010) Sculpting in Time: University of Texas Press
A full list of recommended reading is listed in the Module Handbook
Module Special Admissions Requirements
Writing Narratives (AM75462-4) or R.E.A.D. (AM75456-4)
or equivalent (AM25823-4 Introduction to Creative Writing).
or equivalent (AM25823-4 Introduction to Creative Writing).
Module Resources
Viewing facilities (video/DVD); book and video stock; screenplays available on internet.
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.
Module Learning Strategies
6 two hour seminars, incorporating lectures, screenings, workshops, and student presentations followed by 6 weeks of supervision.
Familiarisation with visual storytelling techniques through screenings, lectures, discussion, independent learning, seminar presentations of group analysis of silent films; formal exercises in scripting images; creative thinking/ideas workshops; tutorials.
Familiarisation with visual storytelling techniques through screenings, lectures, discussion, independent learning, seminar presentations of group analysis of silent films; formal exercises in scripting images; creative thinking/ideas workshops; tutorials.
Module Indicative Content
A module designed to develop screenwriting students' understanding of film grammar and visual storytelling. By the end of the course students should have a greater degree of appreciation for the visual elements of cinema, their sources in both painting and literature; a greater understanding of how the techniques for efficient visual communication in cinema have developed, from the early silent film days up to the present day, as well as a greater command of writing cinematic visuals in screenplay form.
Module Additional Assessment Details
Three items of work:
1. 30% A group seminar presentation contrasting the visual communication techniques at work in 2 films: a pre-sound era film and a contemporary film, accompanied by Research Notes (1000 words) (Learning Outcomes 1, 2) (RE6, PE2)
2. 60% A complete short silent film script (2000 words) (Learning Outcomes 3, 4) (SP1)
3. 10% An Evaluation: a 500 word reflection on your experience of studying silent films and of writing a silent script (500 words) (Learning Outcome 5) (PJ8)
1. 30% A group seminar presentation contrasting the visual communication techniques at work in 2 films: a pre-sound era film and a contemporary film, accompanied by Research Notes (1000 words) (Learning Outcomes 1, 2) (RE6, PE2)
2. 60% A complete short silent film script (2000 words) (Learning Outcomes 3, 4) (SP1)
3. 10% An Evaluation: a 500 word reflection on your experience of studying silent films and of writing a silent script (500 words) (Learning Outcome 5) (PJ8)