| Unit name | The Silver Screen - Writing Screenplays for Film |
|---|---|
| Unit code | DRAM20046 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Mr. Bailie |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Drama: Theatre, Film, Television |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
You think you're cool. You're not cool. You're a writer. Writers are never cool" - Movie - 'Almost Famous'. The unit will look in brief at the history of film making, and at the role of British films within the industry. This will include a survey of the current situation in terms of production, finance and distribution, and a look at the work of film development agencies (eg. UK Film Council). We will analyse what distinguishes the film screenplay from the other forms of dramatic writing, paying particular attention to (often competing) 'theories' of screenplay structure. This may draw on the work of writers such as Robert McKee, Christopher Vogler and Syd Field. We will consider some classic films, examining the relationships between script and finished product, and the place of the writer in the production process. Students will be expected to produce a substantial piece (or number of smaller pieces) of original creative writing.
