| Unit name | Writing for the Screen |
|---|---|
| Unit code | FATVM0030 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Jimmy Hay |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one | |
| School/department | Department of Film and Television |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This unit explores the art and techniques of writing for the screen in order to equip students with a critical understanding of scriptwriting for a number of visual and aural art forms. Students will engage with theories of scriptwriting and examine examples of a variety of techniques and methodologies from relevant screen media including but not limited to feature films, short films, television, web-series, gaming, VR, and radio-plays.
Students will learn the craft of visual storytelling, character creation and development, be able to analyse and critique screenwriting craft, as well as learn how to disseminate their own work.
Through critical reflection on the creative process, students will be able to gain a deeper knowledge of the script’s expressive and narrative functions, as well as intellectual insights into the script’s relationship with the moving image.
Unit aims:
On successful completion of this unit, students will:
1. Be able to demonstrate knowledge of key theories of writing for the screen;
2. Have a critical understanding of the expressive and narrative function of the script;
3. Have a practical grasp of a variety of forms of scriptwriting.
4. Be able to demonstrate a practical knowledge of the methods, tools and formatting required when writing for the screen.
Weekly 2-hour seminar/workshop
Weekly 3-hour screening/workshop
A short script (50%)
2500-word reflexive account (50%)
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. FATVM0030).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
