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EL45PG: THE ART OF SCREENWRITING (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05


Course Overview

This course will focus on the theory and the practical techniques of writing screenplays for cinema and for television. It will encourage students to put together the tool kit of skills which they will require to write effective screenplays based on both adapted source material and on original material. The course will survey the established skills of creating effective narrative screenplays across genres, but with an emphasis on contemporary dramatic cinema. 

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Alan Warner

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course will focus on the theory and the practical techniques of writing screenplays for cinema and for television. It will encourage students to put together the tool kit of skills which they will require to write effective screenplays based on both adapted source material and on original material. The course will survey the established skills of creating effective narrative screenplays across genres, but with an emphasis on contemporary dramatic cinema. The course will provide students with a versatile, practical skill-set of screenwriting abilities set within realistic industry expectations. By the completion of the course, the practical tool box of screenwriting skills acquired will allow the students to approach film adaptation, writing and doctoring, so they will be able to produce a screenplay structured to an industry-compliant professional standard.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Folio of Creative Work: Original Screenplay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 45
Assessment Weeks 38 Feedback Weeks 41

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback via one-to-one critique and MyAberdeen.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralCreateObtain understanding of approaches and arguments around film production in relation to screenplay writing. Ability to adapt writing skills to meet specific requirements.

Reflective Report

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks 38 Feedback Weeks 41

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Word count 1000- 1500

Feedback - Via MyAberdeen.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyAn ability to use critical terminology in an appropriate and coherent way.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstanding of different approaches to screenwriting and a selection of stylistic modes and approaches to the form. Understanding of the differing approaches to and theories of screenplay writing
ProceduralAnalyseRecognise different approaches in screenplay writing. Ability to create, adapt and develop screenwriting skills to an acceptable industry standard. Ability to change script of other writers' work.
ProceduralCreateObtain understanding of approaches and arguments around film production in relation to screenplay writing. Ability to adapt writing skills to meet specific requirements.

Tutorial/Seminar Participation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks 38 Feedback Weeks 41

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Feedback via MyAberdeen.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyAn ability to use critical terminology in an appropriate and coherent way.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstanding of different approaches to screenwriting and a selection of stylistic modes and approaches to the form. Understanding of the differing approaches to and theories of screenplay writing
ProceduralAnalyseRecognise different approaches in screenplay writing. Ability to create, adapt and develop screenwriting skills to an acceptable industry standard. Ability to change script of other writers' work.
ProceduralCreateObtain understanding of approaches and arguments around film production in relation to screenplay writing. Ability to adapt writing skills to meet specific requirements.

Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 25
Assessment Weeks 33 Feedback Weeks 36

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Via MyAberdeen.

Word Count 1500
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyAn ability to use critical terminology in an appropriate and coherent way.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstanding of different approaches to screenwriting and a selection of stylistic modes and approaches to the form. Understanding of the differing approaches to and theories of screenplay writing
ProceduralAnalyseRecognise different approaches in screenplay writing. Ability to create, adapt and develop screenwriting skills to an acceptable industry standard. Ability to change script of other writers' work.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Folio of Creative Work: Original Screenplay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Via MyAberdeen.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyAn ability to use critical terminology in an appropriate and coherent way.
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstanding of different approaches to screenwriting and a selection of stylistic modes and approaches to the form. Understanding of the differing approaches to and theories of screenplay writing
ProceduralAnalyseRecognise different approaches in screenplay writing. Ability to create, adapt and develop screenwriting skills to an acceptable industry standard. Ability to change script of other writers' work.
ProceduralCreateObtain understanding of approaches and arguments around film production in relation to screenplay writing. Ability to adapt writing skills to meet specific requirements.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandUnderstanding of different approaches to screenwriting and a selection of stylistic modes and approaches to the form. Understanding of the differing approaches to and theories of screenplay writing
ProceduralAnalyseRecognise different approaches in screenplay writing. Ability to create, adapt and develop screenwriting skills to an acceptable industry standard. Ability to change script of other writers' work.
ConceptualApplyAn ability to use critical terminology in an appropriate and coherent way.
ProceduralCreateObtain understanding of approaches and arguments around film production in relation to screenplay writing. Ability to adapt writing skills to meet specific requirements.

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