Scriptwriting

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• how to write a script
• the process of development and revision involved in creating scripts
• how scripts are developed into performance for different media
• how to achieve originality, linguistic versatility, and form in the handling of dialogue, action, visual effect and overall structural control in your script writing

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• make literary judgements of scripts in an informed way
• independently evaluate and apply compositional methods
• 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

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• write fluently in a range of styles
• revise and edit creative writing to a professional standard
• manage deadlines and make effective use of your time
• present ideas effectively in a script
• translate text into performance

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• distinguish your aims as a scriptwriter
• revise and edit your work effectively
• explore ways of realising your script in performance
• create the key structures needed for a script

Classroom activity will be aimed at exploring the interaction of script and performance, as well as devoted to the basic analysis of how scripts work. Differences between the media of various types of theatre, television and cinema will be addressed both in set reading and through exploratory investigation in the seminars.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching methods include analysis of cinematic material for group discussion, practical drama work with student works-in-progress alongside exemplar scripts from cinema, television and modern theatre, and seminar discussion of scriptwriting techniques. Learning activities include responding in detail to student scripts and readings, studying published scripts, and writing drafts for performance and seminar discussion. Seminar writing tasks with provide informal, on-module feedback, supported tutorial discussion of works-in- progress.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Banana Boys or Holloway Jones by Evan Placey. plays for young people

Misfits by Howard Overman. television script

Dirty Pretty Things by Steven Knight. screenplay

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind by Charlie Kaufman. screenplay

Desperate Housewives by Marc Cherry. television script

The Hour by Abi Morgan. television script

Mother of Him by Evan Placey. script

Textbooks

(2001). The Methuen Book of Modern Drama. London: Methuen.

Caryl Churchill. Top Girls.

David Harrower. Blackbird.

Tony Kushner. Angels in America (parts 1 & 2).

Martin McDonagh. The Beauty Queen of Leenane.

David Mamet. Glengarry Glen Ross.

Marius von Mayenburg. The Ugly One.

Alternative Scriptwriting.

Jez Butterworth. Jerusalem.

Jane Bodie. A Single Act.

Joan MacLeod. The Shape of a Girl.

Sarah Kane. Blasted.

Edward Albee. The Goat (or Who is Sylvia.

Laura Wade. Breathing Corpses.

debbie tucker green. Random.

Story.

Mark Ravenhill. Shopping and F**king.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal