Fast Track to Screenwriting

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 7
• Convenors: Paul Gallagher and Tanya Nash (subject to change)
• Assessment: two story outlines (20%), a treatment for a film or TV series proposal (20%), short film script (20%), 10-page script extract (20%) and 2000-word critical evaluation (20%)

The module gives an overview of screenwriting in the film and television industry and relates the principles of film story to screenwriting practice. Each session focuses on a specific topic, using a mixture of lecture, screenings, reading, analysis, creative exercises, workshop and discussion.

You will critically analyse film stories, and the visual language of screenwriting, and apply these principles to develop story ideas and write scripts, as well as give critical and constructive feedback on work in progress. You will also develop an understanding of different narrative structures and their relation to scripts and the industry.

The module will run in conjunction with a series of industry seminars.

Indicative syllabus

• Writing powerful outlines and treatments
• Story analysis
• Researching and developing characters
• Theme and meaning in narrative structure
• Time and place in plot and scripting
• Creative and synthetic approach to stories and script
• Writing dynamic visual scenes
• Writing and editing dialogue
• Writing script to format, understanding its principles
• Rewriting effectively