Module overview
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the process of development and revision involved in creating scripts
- how to write a script
- how to achieve originality, linguistic versatility, and form in the handling of dialogue, action, visual effect and overall structural control in your script writing
- how scripts are developed into performance for different media
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- independently evaluate and apply compositional methods
- make literary judgements of scripts in an informed way
- handle complex demands of script composition in an analytic manner
- interact effectively with audiences via the performance of a script
- demonstrate originality through your writing
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- distinguish your aims as a scriptwriter
- explore ways of realising your script in performance
- create the key structures needed for a script
- plan the development of a script towards a successful conclusion
- revise and edit your work effectively
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- write fluently in a range of styles
- manage deadlines and make effective use of your time
- translate text into performance
- present ideas effectively in a script
- revise and edit creative writing to a professional standard
Syllabus
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Teaching | 27 |
Independent Study | 123 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Desperate Housewives (TV Pilot) by Marc Cherry. Script
Blackbird by David Harrower. Play
Betrayal by Harold Pinter. Play
People Snogging in Public Places (radio play) by Jack Thorne. Script
Misfits (TV Pilot) by Howard Overman. Script
Blasted by Sarah Kane. Play
The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh. Play
Chinatown (Film Script) by Robert Towne. Script
Random by debbie tucker green. Script
Girls Like That by Evan Placey. Play
Textbooks
David Edgar. How Plays Work.
Evan Placey. Mother of Him.
Dancyger & Rush. Alternative Scriptwriting.
Steve Waters. The Secret Life of Plays.
Robert McKee. Story.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Assessments designed to provide informal, on-module feedback • Classroom presentation of work in progress in the form of both scripts and performance • Tutorial discussion of drafts Formal assessments A 15-20 minute script (15-20 pages) for stage, film, radio, or television. While this may be a complete short work, it can (and likely will) be part of a longer piece. i.e. the beginning of a pilot TV episode; the opening of Act 2 of a stage play, etc.** A critical reflection (1000 words), articulating the choices you have made with regards to the medium you are working in, and drawing on techniques learned in class and from scripts studied. **If you choose to write a film or television script, it must be the opening 15-20 minutes of the film or pilot episode, setting up the tone, genre, and world of the story as studied in class. For theatre and radio scripts, you may write an extract from any part of the play as long as you provide a brief context as to what has happened in the play up to that point.Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Class discussions
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback:
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Critical commentary | 25% |
Script | 75% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Resubmit assessments | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External