BA (Hons) Screenwriting

Adaptation

This module aims to develop practical creative skills in the transformation of stories, narrative, and plot from one medium into another through screenwriting with a focus on balancing creativity and market needs.

The module examines the process by which a screenwriter will adapt a work for television, film, or video game with the aim of preserving and successfully translating the theme and intended meaning behind the source material.

The idea that a story needs to prove marketability in an alternative market before its adaptation to film, TV or video game will be interrogated, and issues surrounding fidelity to an original work, or a lack thereof, will also be explored.

Audio Drama

This module aims to develop creative skills in audio drama scriptwriting through an exploratory approach to the methods, processes, styles, and structures.

Using traditional and contemporary platforms such as Radio and Podcasts, the module will analyse character building and dialogue, whilst understanding audio formatting.

By the end of the module, you will have created a final draft, short script that reflects essential elements of a successful audio drama.

Foundations of Screenwriting

This module explores some key concepts of story and screenwriting theory, as you focus on the cultivation of early relationships between story, character, structure & plot.

As part of this process, you will be introduced to some of the processes used in the creation of original screen-works through the development of initial story ideas.

You will also be introduced to some of the history and theory of screenwriting as you consider screenwriting as a craft, gain vital awareness of how screenwriting works in the industry, and develop transferable skills in creativity and critical analysis.

Introduction to Film Studies

This module will explore Hollywood films and independent US cinema as textual and cultural products. You will place these in a context that traces their aesthetic and formal development to gain a firm grounding in film studies.

Screenwriting Structure

This module explore the importance of structure during the screenwriting process. You will consider the multitude of choices when considering how to identify, control and utilise structure when writing screenplays.

Writing the Short Film

In this module, you will develop creative skills in audiovisual storytelling through an exploratory approach to the methods, processes, styles, and structures involved in the writing and pitching of short (3-7 minute) narrative films.

You will concentrate mainly on conventional, rather than avant-garde, approaches.

Global TV

This module explores the political economy of the global, national, and local television industries. You will explore aspects of global and local TV formats, transmedia marketing, distribution, consumption, audiences, and cultural and cross-cultural relevance.

Iconic Screen Characters

You will examine a range of iconic screen characters from film, television and gaming such as:

• Batman
• The Joker
• Dorothy Gale
• Ripley
• Sherlock Holmes
• Mary Poppins
• Super Mario
• Dracula
• Lara Croft
• James Bond
• Spider-Man
• Harry Potter
• Bugs Bunny
• Superman
• Wonder Woman.

You will consider these characters in dialogue with critical and theoretical perspectives on adaptation.

Journalism and Content

The aim of this module is to examine the nature of contemporary media, how it operates and how it differs from traditional journalism.

You will examine what constitutes effective information dissemination in the online age and the technologies involved, including how they may be manipulated.

It aims to develop transferable skills in design, online presentation, writing and SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

Narrative Design and Interactive Fiction

This module develops your understanding of fundamental theories, pipelines and processes pertaining to narrative design in videogames.

You will then learn to apply these theories in practical exercises that mirror the responsibilities of writers working in the contemporary games industry.

During the module, you will have the opportunity to create a piece of interactive fiction using the tools and techniques taught.

Psychology in Screenwriting

This module will principally examine the academic writings by Professor of Psychology William Indick, in his book “Psychology for Screenwriters”.

Exploring the psychology behind story and characterisation, this module will explore psychologists Freud, Jung, Erik Erikson, Alfred Adler, Rollo May and Joseph Campbell in relation to character and narrative development for screen-based content.

Writing for Games

This module examines the role of the screenwriter in the development of narrative based computer games.

You will explore the role the screenwriter plays in developing characters, dialogue and worldbuilding.

You will also be introduced to the debates around narrative vs Ludology and the tensions created between story and play.

Writing the TV Bible

This module introduces you to the process of development when creating a long form TV Drama series.

Throughout the module, you will contribute to the creation of a Drama TV “Bible”, a package of materials that is used to inform writers, producers and directors of a show’s particular production criteria. The module will give you the opportunity to explore the industrial context of such documents and how to generate story ideas for such shows. It aims to develop transferable skills in packaging and selling creative work.

Included in the Bible there will be individual episode outline documents. These will be exclusively developed by individuals within the group and will form a percentage of the overall personal final grade.

Writing the TV Script

This module aims to introduce you to the process of development when creating a long form drama script.

Taking an original idea from concept to final draft, sessions will explore structure, style, theme and character, with attention to format. Emphasis on strong dialogue will be a key element to script development, whilst the difference between story and plot will be explored.

The importance of a ‘pilot’ episode will be recognised and what elements must be included when establishing a show’s selling point. You will also discover key pitching ideas on how to promote their script.

Campaign Writing

This module aims to provide a foundation knowledge of non commercial campaign writing and give you the chance to study alternative career paths post graduation.

Exploring event and online content, the module will look at how to convey a client’s intent through narrative awareness.

The module aims to inform and instruct writers on the opportunities for screenwriters in business, looking at recruitment campaigns, social awareness campaigns and company in-house communications.

Horror

This module examines the history and development of the horror genre and explores examples from cinema, television and gaming. You will use a cross-disciplinary approach by drawing upon historical approaches and theoretical frameworks that have dominated critical responses to the genre.

Industry, Engagement & Film Festivals

This module offers you the opportunity to learn about the dynamic and rapidly changing ways in which films are consumed in the public arena.

Festivals are a key element of the filmmaking marketplace, where films are sold by independent producers to distributors and offer audiences the opportunity to experience a rich variety of cinema, such as animation, shorts, and documentaries.

This module will encourage you to engage with the world of the film festival, the industry networking opportunities they offer, and apply analysis to both audiovisual content and festival management.

Personal Study – Screenwriting

This module gives you the opportunity to work as an autonomous writer; deepening and enhancing knowledge and understanding of your chosen subject.

Creative Portfolio

You will be expected to enhance their career prospects by producing creative artefacts that align your skills with their commercial and professional objectives.

The module aims to develop transferable skills in balancing creative and strategic career objectives.

American TV Dramas

The module examines contemporary American television drama, focusing primarily (though not exclusively) on HBO as a network with a distinct visual, thematic and narrative style that clearly demonstrates noteworthy developments within the television industry.

The module will consider HBO and other series in relation to a variety of issues, such as a serial television, developments in television production, and shifts in reception.

The module aims to critically examine and analyse the aesthetic and ideological content of some of these texts, focusing on a selection of series.

Shocking Texts

This module examines transgressive, controversial and subversive media texts from film, television, computer gaming and print media.

It explores a variety of extreme texts in relation to the regulation of shock and disgust, taste and decency, censorship, transgression, and the impact of sex and violence in the media.