Screen Academy Scotland

MA Screenwriting 2009-10
SCA11102
Script Workshop 1

MODULE TITLE: Script Workshop 1

MODULE CODE: SCA11102
CREDIT VALUE: 20
MODULE LEADER: James Mavor j.mavor@napier.ac.uk
MODULE TUTORS: JM + Visiting Lecturers

Location of Module: Screen Academy Production Centre, Studio 1

(Thursdays 2-5pm)

Tutor’s room: B30 Merchiston (by appointment)

Number of Groups: The module will be delivered as a combination of

lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials.

Student Workload

Lectures, Seminars, Workshops + Events 72 hours

Individual Tutorial(s) 2 hours
Individual Learning Activities 126 hours

Total 200 hours

Assessments

There are three assessments in this module:

Proposal:

Each student is required to submit a Proposal for a Short Film in Week 6

(Thursday 15th of October) that will account for 20% of the overall module
assessment.

Script:

Each student is required to submit a Short Film Script in Week 13 (Thursday

3rd of December) that will account for 60% of the overall module assessment.

Reflective Essay:

Each student is required to submit a Reflective Essay in Week 13 (Thursday

3rd of December) that will account for 20% of the overall module assessment.

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 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting 2009-10
SCA11102
Script Workshop 1

What you will learn and what this module is about

This module guides you through the development of a short film from initial
idea to a polished first draft script for a 10-15’ film. The film can be in any form
– drama, comedy, animation – and the module aims to expose you the huge
variety and potential of the short film form.

The workshop develops your own writing, developing proposals, outlines and
scripts; these will form part of a portfolio of work generated over the duration
of the course.

There is an emphasis on the development process whereby students acquire

skills in story- and script-editing, collaboration and team-work.

You will be able to revise and rewrite your work and to learn how to present it
in a professional format.

In this and the other Script Workshop modules there will be chances to pitch
your work to your fellow students, tutors and visiting professionals from the
film and television industry.

Description of module content

In this module, using the short film as a model, students are guided through a
professional development process from idea to a polished first draft script.

In weekly workshops students follow a process which mirrors that of a

professional screenwriter as they generate ideas and develop their projects
producing a series of documents – premise, synopsis, outline, step outline or
treatment and various drafts of a short 10-15 minute film script.

This development process is mapped out in the Classroom section of webCT

as a series of lessons. This content is used by students on our online PG
Certificate programme and should be seen as a compliment to the face to
face, weekly classes on the MA Screenwriting.

Students’ written work is regularly circulated and workshopped in small

groups: this process develops and enhances the projects, stimulates team-
working and collaboration and helps develop the student’s own writing but
also their story-, script-editing and inter-personal skills.

There is a research element in which students are encouraged to engage in

original research (to generate material for their scripts) but also to critically
appraise and assess the various types of research that a writer might
undertake as part of their process.

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 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting 2009-10
SCA11102
Script Workshop 1

This module also allows space for and encourages students to work
collaboratively with other students on courses within Napier University, Screen
Academy Scotland, Edinburgh College of Art and the wider Screen Academy
network and, beyond that, to experience direct contact with professionals from
the film, television and interactive/new media industries.

The workshop sessions are interspersed with visits from Visiting Lecturers
who will work alongside the students in set exercises or workshops to develop
specific aspects of the craft, e.g. character, dialogue or pitching.

This year’s visiting film-maker is Hope Dickson Leach.

Hope Dickson Leach is a writer and director whose award-winning short films
have played at festivals all over the world. She was recently named one of
Screen International's Stars of Tomorrow as well as one of the 25 New Faces
of Independent Cinema by Filmmaker Magazine.

She has taught screenwriting at Columbia University (where she received her
MFA), the New York Film Academy and the London Film School. She is
currently in development with her debut feature film 'English Rose'.

http://www.independent-magazine.org/node/723

Details of the workshop classes with HDL to follow.

Learning Outcomes for module

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

LO1: Generate, critically evaluate and select potential ideas for development
as a short film project

LO2: Select appropriate strategies for writing for film and apply creative and
analytical skills to the initial development of projects including appraising and
incorporating feedback

LO3: Identify appropriate team members and other resources required for the
creative development of the project

LO4: Present projects in oral, written and electronic formats in a timely and
professional manner

LO5: Critically reflect on, and consolidate an understanding of and approach

to, the writing and development process

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 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting 2009-10
SCA11102
Script Workshop 1

Assessment Guidelines

There are three assessments in this module:

Assessment 1 will be a detailed proposal for a short 10-15’ film. This is

worth 20% of the module mark and is due on 15/10/09.

This should be 1-2 pages and include a premise and a brief synopsis of the
story. You may want to add some notes on character plus some indication of
style and tone. You should indicate the market the project is aimed at and you
may also want to talk about the audience for the film.

You will receive written feedback by Friday 30 October.

Assessment 2 will be a revised first draft of a short 10-15’ film. This is worth
60% of the module mark and is due on 3/12/08.

It is not necessary that this should be the same project as the initial proposal -
selecting, testing and rejecting ideas is a valid – indeed essential – part of the
development process.

Please note that you will have the chance for formative feedback from peers
and tutors in advance of the final hand-in. Tutor feedback on rough drafts can
be given up to one week before the final hand-in.

Assessment 3 will be a short Critical Essay of approximately 1500 words.

This is worth 20% of the module mark and is also due on 3/12/08.

This is a useful tool in your future creative, professional and personal

development. You are encouraged to reflect upon the development of the
short film project, making a critical assessment of what worked well – and
what less well – in terms of your own creative process.

You should also make a short assessment of your own progress, strengths
and areas for further development as a writer, together with any ‘advice to
self’ which you might want to note for the future. List two or three goals or
targets for the next trimester.

You should set your work in the context of films and reading undertaken
during the trimester. All references should academically referenced. A handout
is provided.

You will receive written feedback on by 24 December.

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 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting 2009-10
SCA11102
Script Workshop 1

Feedback

The feedback sheets will give tutor’s comments together with a broad
indication of the student’s strength and areas for further development under
the following headings:

• Story
• Character
• Presentation
• Market Potential

Assessment Criteria

The assessment criteria relate directly to the Learning Outcomes for the
module. You will find these laid out in this module handout.

In addition, creative work will be assessed using the following criteria:

• Originality of concept and of approach to subject, character, theme

or genre.

• Evidence of sustained research, development and creative

progress in relation to structure, plot, characterisation, theme,
image, sound and dialogue.

• Technical, professional and presentational skills relating to the

production of written work in relation to industry-standard layout,
grammar/spelling and overall presentation.

Submission Of Work

Students are expected to meet the submission deadlines. Work may be

submitted up to one week late, with prior approval.

After this, work will receive a mark no higher than P1 unless the student has
applied for Mitigating Circumstances and these have been approved by the
Mitigating Circumstances Board.

Please consult the Programme handbook for further details.

TWO HARD COPIES should be submitted in class or to the office and

submitted online to webCT as a PDF document. Pages should be

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 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting 2009-10
SCA11102
Script Workshop 1

numbered. Please make sure that all work carries a COVER PAGE with your
name, matriculation number, module number and name of the assignment.

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 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting 2009-10
SCA11102
Script Workshop 1

Reading List

The following are indicative references and background reading. Further

reading will be given in class or placed on webCT.

Frensham, Ray Screenwriting (London: Teach Yourself/Hodder Headline,

1996)

Howard and Mabley, The Tools of Screenwriting (New York: St Martin’s Griffin,
1993)

Vogler, The Writer’s Journey (London: PAN, 1999)

Cameron, The Artist’s Way (New York: Penguin, 2002)

Cowgill, L.J. Writing Short Films (New York: Lone Eagle, 2005)

Websites: www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/ and www.atomfilms.com and

www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/ and www.imsdb.com

Please use the university library, the Moonstone film script collection and see
WebCT for web and other electronic resources.

Please use the group’s closed Facebook site to exchange comments, ideas
and to share clips and film-links with fellow students:

Screenwriting MA 09/10

Also see this Facebook group to share ideas and get projects going:

Edinburgh Skillset Screen and Media Academy - Buzz

Or to see what’s going on:

Edinburgh Skillset Screen & Media Academy

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 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting 2009-10
SCA11102
Script Workshop 1

TIMETABLE

Screen Academy Production Centre, Studio 1

THURSDAY AFTERNOONS 2-5pm

1 Thursday Introductions, Matriculation, Module

10 September Induction, Screenings, Welcome
Drinks
2 Thursday Short Films – screenings and JM
17 September discussion

Homework: 20 Ideas
3 Thursday Ideas JM
24 September
Homework: Character Page
4 Thursday Character + Story JM (tbc)
1 October

5 Thursday Film-maker Workshop 1 JM + HDL

8 October

6 Thursday Film-maker Workshop 2 HDL

15 October
Proposal Due (20%)
7 Mon 19 October Masterclass with screenwriter Andrea Story Week
Gibb (Napier)
Tues 20 October Short Film Screenings (ECA) All day
Wed 21 October Animation Day (ECA) workshops,
Thurs 22 October Short Film Day (ECA) seminars and
Friday 23 October Documentary Day (ECA) masterclasses

8 Thursday Script Workshop 1: Rough Draft 1 JM

29 October
9 Thursday Script Workshop 2: Rough Draft 2 JM
5 November
10 Thursday Script Workshop 3: First Draft JM/AR (tbc)
12 November
11 Thursday Film-maker Workshop 3 HDL
19 November
12 Thursday Film-maker Workshop 4 HDL
26 November
13 Thursday Film-maker workshop 5 JM +
3 December HDL
Final Draft Script (60%) + Critical
Essay Due (20%)

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 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting 2009-10
SCA11102
Script Workshop 1

14 7-11 Dec Research and Reading Week 1 *

15 14-18 Dec Research and Reading Week 2 *

19 December CHRISTMAS BREAK

14 January 2010 TRIMESTER 2

CLASSES RESUME

* PLEASE NOTE: There are no formal taught classes in weeks 14-15 in this
module. You will have the chance to attend research workshops and tutorials
with Yvonne Baginsky. The purpose of these is to develop background
research (and research dossiers) for the Major Project screenplays that you
will write in the summer. (This applies to Full Time students only).

You may also attend Drama Workshops at the Edinburgh College of Art (ECA)
during these two weeks (subject to confirmation and numbers etc). Short
studio-based filming of drama exercises with actors and ECA
MA Directing students.

Individual Tutorials will be arranged in the course of the trimester.

Details of other events, workshops, screenings and masterclasses will be

regularly posted and updated on webCT and the group Facebook site.

The timetable may change. Any changes will be posted on webCT.

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 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting 2009-10
SCA11102
Script Workshop 1

Appendix: Assessment Brief and University Regulations

1. Module SCA11102
number
2. Module SCRIPT WORKSHOP 1
title
3. Module JAMES MAVOR
leader j.mavor@napier.ac.uk
4. Tutors James Mavor
with
responsibilit
y for this
Assessment
5. 1: Project (Short Film Proposal)
Assessment 2: Project (Short Film Script)
s 3: Critical Essay

6. Weighting 1: 20% of module assessment

2: 60% of module assessment
3: 20% of module assessment
7. Size limits 1: 1 page
for 2: 10-15 pages
assessment 3: 1500 words
8. Deadline 1: Thursday 15 October at 5pm
of 2: Thursday 3 December at 5pm (*)
submission 3: Thursday 3 December at 5pm

* Please note that the deadline for delivery for this assessment
Your has been moved from Week 11 to accommodate work with our
attention is Visiting Film-maker.
drawn to the
penalties for If you wish to apply for a short extension you must agree this
late with the module leader before the deadline.
submission
Assignments submitted (without an agreed extension) up to 5
working days after the stated deadline will be capped at P1.
Any assignments received after 5 working days will receive a
mark of F1 (Fail).

If you have mitigating circumstances which prevent you

completing work, you can apply for these to be considered by
the University Mitigating Circumstances Panel at the end of the
module. See Programme Leader.

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 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting 2009-10
SCA11102
Script Workshop 1

9. Please upload assignments to webCT as a PDF file. Copies

Arrangemen may be emailed to the module leader as a back-up.
ts for
submission Your work must be submitted with the appropriate cover sheet
which must confirm that the assignment is your own and has
not been submitted for another assessment. You will find this
on webCT.

10. All http://staff.napier.ac.uk/Services/studentaffairs/Student

assessment +Administration/
s are Regulations+and+Policies/2009-10Regulations.htm
subject to
the This website contains the current regulations and details of how
University to apply for Mitigating Circumstances extensions.
Regulations.
11. Please see module handout.
Requiremen
ts for the A copy of the assessment brief is also on webCT.
assessment
12. Special None
instructions

13. Return of You will receive written feedback for coursework within 3 weeks
work of submission. Every effort will be made to do this within 1-2
weeks. All marks are provisional until a sample has been seen
by the External Examiner and final grades approved by the
Module Boards at the end of each Trimester.

14. Please see module handout for assessment criteria for this
Assessment module.
criteria
The assessment criteria relate directly to the Learning
Outcomes for the module. You will find these in the module
handout.

Where relevant, written work should follow normal academic

conventions for acknowledging sources.

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