Scriptwriting – (M.A.)

Contents

The first trimester runs from October to January. There are two modules - each is delivered in three intensive weekends.

One is the module on Dramatic Structure. This aims to give you an understanding of the full range of ways that plays and scripts can work. You are introduced to dialogue, character, genre, and the different media. But the emphasis is on how to tell a story - a well made plot. Students will read and view widely, but the academic side is not separate from the working side. This module is to help you write.

The other module in the first trimester is Workshop in Writing Theatre and Radio. This is delivered in three intensive weekends. All of the time is devoted to the students´ own work, and much of the time we work on our feet.

At the end of the trimester each student finishes a 45 to 60 minute play or radio script, and a 3,000 word essay that explains the structure of that script. Where possible, we would then arrange for each student to have a rehearsed reading of their play, or a fully rehearsed recording of their radio script.

The second trimester, from February to June, also has two modules. One is Professional Skills, again over three intensive weekends. All our experience is that the ability to write alone is not enough to make your way in the various industries of theatre, television, film and radio. You also need to be able to pitch, and to talk intelligently and flexibly about your own work and others´. One of our tutors facilitates this module, and various industry professionals come in for a day each to inform, rehearse and challenge you.

The other module this trimester is Workshop in Screen Writing, also over three weekends. Here you write a script for film or television. We pay particular attention to genre, to the visual and time requirements of the screen, and to writing for particular markets. Some students will also begin to make their work into film or video, with the help of the Arts Lab and students in Performing Arts.

At the end of this trimester each student finishes 50 to 60 minutes of TV, or a short film script, or a treatment for a full-length film plus at least 45 minutes of polished script.

The third trimester runs from June to the end of September. Here there is only one double module, the Final Script Workshop. This is taught jointly by two tutors, one an experienced playwright and the other a strong screenwriter. The workshops meet over five intensive Saturdays, with one tutor running full class workshops while the other does tutorials.

In this module each student writes a full length play, a full length film script, or the equivalent in television or radio. This script can be a development and reworking of earlier pieces, but will often be completely new work. At the end of September students submit this script.

The final assessment is based on three things. The most important is this script. The second is a 3,000 essay explaining exactly where in the market it is aimed, and how it is shaped to fit that niche. The third is a cold pitch for this script to an industry professional.

When we speak of the market, we are thinking quite broadly. Some students will want to write for Hollywood, British independent films, soap operas, or theatre. Others will want to write radio plays, documentaries, puppet shows, theatre in education, training videos, and school plays.