Course summary
Gain the writing skills, industry know-how, professional skills and experience of collaborative working that the ever-changing screen-writing industry demands. Learn how to function within a professional environment across different screen industries, and create work that stands out from the crowd. Develop your portfolio across different platforms or focus on the mediums and genres that interest you through live briefs, collaborative projects and independent research. You will: Learn the fundamentals of storytelling and how these can be applied to your chosen script medium Gain the professional skills needed to compete in the script writing industries, including how to write treatments, develop characters and setting, present your work in the correct format, and pitch your ideas Collaborate and network with other script professionals around the world Gain the research skills, critical and theoretical approaches needed to underpin your practice Gain an understanding of current trends and developments in the screen industries.
Modules
You will need to complete four 30-credit modules and one 60-credit project (180 credits in total). All modules on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award. Modules: Storytelling for Script & Screen (30 credits) In this module, you will examine, explore and practice the fundamental questions of storytelling and script writing: ‘Why do we tell stories and how do we tell stories?’ You will learn specific script writing skills: script layout, visual storytelling, genre, setting, character, dialogue and the construction of scenes and sequences. Individual Script Development Workshop (30 credits) In this module, you will develop an individually negotiated scriptwriting portfolio. More complex elements of scriptwriting will be rigorously explored, including: deep structure (scenes and sequences), in-depth character development, and sustaining narrative and theme in a feature film, television series, or a digital game. Writer’s Room: Collaborative Script Development (30 credits) In this module, you will work collaboratively on a professional brief. In the first 10 weeks, working in Script Development Teams, you will develop industry practice project proposal documents. In the final two weeks, you will work in the roles of client/commissioner for each brief, assessing the project proposal of another team, and deciding whether to ‘green-light’ the project. Screen Industries: Professional Development (30 credits) In this module, you will learn strategies for promoting yourself as a freelance scriptwriter. You will identify an area of special interest, and you will research contemporary practice in order to produce a case study that evaluates current markets and opportunities. You will then generate a series of ideas in response to your findings, which you will communicate through a pitch document.
Assessment method
All assessments are taken and submitted online. Assessment methods for the masters degree in Writing for Script & Screen can typically include: Coursework assessment with no formal examination Portfolios, projects, online presentations and pitches.
Entry requirements
An honours degree or Level 6 equivalent qualification. A piece of sample writing in the form of a screenplay, formatted to an industry standard. The screenplay can be as long as you wish but should be at least 5 pages. It can be an excerpt of a larger piece of writing. You can also submit other pieces of sample writing such as short stories, plays or radio dramas along with your screenplay, to support your application.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Falmouth University
Woodlane
Falmouth
TR11 4RH