Unit information: Screenwriting: From Idea to Pitch in 2028/29

Unit name	Screenwriting: From Idea to Pitch
Unit code	FATV20036
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Mr. Ben Bond
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one	None
School/department	Department of Film and Television
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

Why is this unit important?

This unit grounds students in the professional process of screenwriting for film and television, focussing on the art of telling – and selling – a good story, and the tools professionals screenwriters employ to develop and create compelling screenplays to sell to streaming platforms and studios. The unit approaches screenwriting in a holistic manner, considering idea development, packaging, and other roles connected to screenwriting, such as agents, script editors, development producers, executives, commissioners, etc. Students on this unit will engage with the chronological stages of creating a professional screenplay, from selecting their idea for a feature film or TV pilot, through to story development, writing, package, and pitch. They will learn through analysis of sequences, scene and structure in contemporary films and television series and will not only produce a script but will also consider how best to package their materials for future funding and development.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study?

Unit aims:

1. To learn the theory, technical skills and practice of screenwriting across a variety of screen-based media, not only limited to the screenplay itself, but also to project development and packaging materials.
2. Develop students’ practical skills in screenwriting through the use of key techniques, methods and screenwriting software.
3. To learn and apply the essential building blocks of screenwriting, including scene, sequence and structure.
4. Develop students’ abilities to explore and apply theories and methods of screenwriting through practical work.
5. To be able to package and pitch a screenplay effectively.
6. To engage reflexively with the process of screenwriting and script-editing

Your learning on this unit

Overview of Content:

The unit teaches students the key formal aspects, processes and theories of film and television screenwriting. Students will learn how to use these creatively and work individually or in groups to write and pitch their original screenplays and treatments. Through a combination of close analysis of screenplays and creative exercises, students will become familiar with the functions of screenplays as well as the industry expectations regarding their development and presentation.

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit:

Students will learn how to analyse and write screenplays for different formats. They will explore how to create characters, dramatic situations and use different tools to shape qualities such as suspense and tension. Students will also acquire familiarity with different screenwriting tools, conventions and techniques common in the film and television industry.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify approaches to narrative construction in screenplays, informed by key screenwriting theories.
2. Apply key packaging processes and professional practices relevant to contemporary film and television industries.
3. Produce creative script-work showing the capacity to format and structure appropriately.
4. Assess self-produced work critically, with reference to industry contexts.
5. Make useful contributions to academic discussions and learning.

How you will learn

Weekly 2-hour lecture/seminar

Weekly 3-hour screening/workshop

How you will be assessed

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

Individual presentation, 5 minutes (40%) [ILOs 1, 2]

Script, 1000 words (50%) [ILOs 3, 4]

Contribution Mark (10%) [ILO 5]

When assessment does not go to plan

The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. FATV20036).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.

The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.