Course Resources Archive

This module will build on the understanding of the principles of writing for film and television developed in Screenwriting I. A treatment for an adapted screenplay will be produced followed by a team written screenwriting portfolio.

This module is intended to further develop knowledge, skills and understanding of the theory and practice of screenwriting.  Different aspects of writing for the screen will be considered with an introduction to the commercial considerations of the craft.  It will be taught using a combination of talks, workshop exercises and the discussions of existing screenplays and screenworks.   The module will begin with an overview of the processes of literary adaptation.

Students will choose a short story from a selection provided by the module tutor and will produce a treatment for its adaptation into a short film script.   In its production, existing skills in narrative, character and visual storytelling will be consolidated. The module will then consider the industry standard practice of team writing.  Examples of the generation and development of ideas by teams will be looked at, specifically as common practice in writing for television. Then in small teams, students will produce a portfolio of documents for a film or television concept.  By the end of the module students will have broadened their appreciation of aspects of writing for the screen and have begun to consider commercial imperatives.

i.  Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of the module the student should have knowledge and understanding of:
1.     The basic principles of adaptation for film and television
2.     Industry standard forms and processes with respect to adaptation
3.     The processes of devising and developing TV scripts
4.     Industry standard forms and processes with respect to writing for film and television

ii. Skills
On successful completion of the module the student should have skills in:
1.    Analysing short stories in respect of adapting them for the screen.
2.    Originating and developing screenwriting documents for film and television.
3.    Utilising industry standard terminology and formats in the production of these documents.
4.    Collaborating with others and writing in teams.

Staff/student contact: approx 20%
Independent Study: approx 80%

Please note – staff/student contact may vary from the norm in modules with larger or smaller student numbers

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.