Developing a Feature Film Script

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 7
• Convenor: to be confirmed
• Assessment: a feature film treatment (30%), outline (10%), script extract (40%) and 2000-word critical evaluation (20%)

Developing a film script is the ultimate in visual and narrative storytelling; the principles and practices then enable you to apply this knowledge in all other media of stories, including TV, novels, shorter films and animation.

In this module we provide hands-on support to develop a film script. We will look at what makes a film, and the language and visual world of film and film scripting. We will look at industry practice, with practical sessions in pitching and storytelling as ways to clarify and sell your project. We will discuss the film industry, in the UK, EU, US and worldwide, and address ways of financing projects.

You will then develop your own feature film project and script, through innovative narrative and research. Together we will work on drafts and rewrites, and you will have the chance to discuss your project in personal tutorials.

As a package at the end of the module, you will have a saleable project and script to pitch.

Indicative syllabus

• Film genres and audiences
• The film industry worldwide
• Ideas, stories, scope and scale for film
• Research, characters, story and project development
• Different story structures
• Writing film treatments and outlines in prose
• Script, drafts and rewrites
• Writing pitches, premises, synopses, and slug-lines
• Script development of students' projects
• Collaborations in writing film script
• Pitching and selling projects and scripts to the industry