Screen Academy Scotland

MA Screenwriting and MA Screen Project Development

2009-10
SCA11100
Writing and Screen Project Development

MODULE TITLE: Writing and Screen Project Development

MODULE CODE: SCA11100
CREDIT VALUE: 20
MODULE LEADER: James Mavor j.mavor@napier.ac.uk
MODULE TUTORS: JM and Nigel Smith ni.smith@napier.ac.uk
+ Visiting Lecturers + video lectures by Mark
Grindle (on webCT).

Location of Module: Screen Academy Production Centre, Studio 2

(10-1, Thursdays)

Tutor’s room: B30 Merchiston (by appointment)

Number of Groups: This class is shared between students on MA

Screenwriting and MA Screen Project
Development. The module is delivered as a
combination of lectures, seminars, group work and
tutorials.

Student Workload

Lectures, Seminars and Workshops 36 hours

Tutorial 1 hour
Individual Learning Activities 163 hours

Total 200 hours

Assessments

There are two assessments in this module:

Script Report:

Each student is required to submit a Script Report in Week 5 (Thursday 8th

October) that will account for 50% of the overall module assessment.

Story Report:

Each student is required to submit a Story Report in Week 12 (Thursday 26th

November) that will account for 50% of the overall module assessment.

-1-
 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting and MA Screen Project Development
2009-10
SCA11100
Writing and Screen Project Development

-2-
 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting and MA Screen Project Development
2009-10
SCA11100
Writing and Screen Project Development

What you will learn and what this module is about

In this module, you will be introduced to the key tools, language and concepts
involved in creating and developing projects for the screen - film, television
and interactive/new media.

Through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and screenings you’ll

look in depth at the principal elements common to all forms of storytelling –
character, structure, genre and tone. You’ll also explore the differences
between the various media and debate the different opportunities and
demands of each form.

The module’s assessments – a story report and script – will help you develop
your own critical faculties and gain an insight into the kind of documents and
professional approach used in the film industry.

Module content

A series of lectures, seminars and workshops introduce students to the core

tools, concepts and crafts skills commonly used in the development of
projects for the screen whether in film or television, drama or documentary, or
any of the various new media and interactive forms.

Lectures examine the key elements, skills and terminology of dramatic

screenwriting (premise, pitch, character, structure, theme, visual style, genre,
dialogue, etc) and review the key documents generated in the development
and commissioning process (idea, concept, premise, outline, proposal,
detailed proposal, treatment, first draft, revised draft, etc).

There is a critical exploration of the role and importance of research in screen

project development – research as it relates to the project content of the
project (e.g. documentary, adaptation, historical drama) but also research
relating to the market potential of the project itself.

The module aims to develop the critical and practical abilities needed in
screen project development: an understanding of the language and
terminology; personal and interpersonal skills; a critical understanding of the
various roles in the creative and industrial process; a sense of the market
place across the various forms and formats.

Crucially, the critical, analytical and inter-personal skills required key

personnel in the development process (writers, producers, script-editors,
developers, and financiers) are examined and then developed and tested in a
series of exercises, including the module’s major pieces of assessment – the
story report and script report.

-3-
 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting and MA Screen Project Development
2009-10
SCA11100
Writing and Screen Project Development

Students also develop an understanding of the various jobs, roles and career
opportunities across the film, television and interactive/new media industries.
Outwith the module itself, students across the Screen Academy programmes
may attend a series of talks and seminars given by visiting speakers as part of
the MFA Advanced Film Practice module, e.g. composers, editors, writers,
producers, distributors, games developers, literary and casting agents, etc.

Lecture content is interwoven with seminars, workshops, screenings and

exercises which encourage students to reflect on how they might practice and
apply these tools, concepts and skills to their own work and live projects: this
work is carried across into the more practical Script Workshop and Project
Workshop modules.

This module is shared between students on the MA Screenwriting and MA

Screen Project Development programmes and encourages the development
of collaborative skills across the creative disciplines and provides an
opportunity to form creative teams.

Learning Outcomes for module

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

LO1: Critically explore the core concepts, language, documents and

terminology used in screenwriting and screen project development

LO2: Possess a systematic understanding of the creative, organisational and

institutional processes involved in screenwriting and screen project
development

LO3: Possess a critical understanding of the nature of screenwriting and the

process of collaboration within project teams and between project teams and
external collaborators.

LO4: Critically appraise and test projects in terms of their creative and
commercial potential across various forms, formats and markets

LO5: Develop the personal, inter-personal and professional skills required for
script-editing and project development

LO6: Produce written story and script reports to a professional standard

-4-
 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting and MA Screen Project Development
2009-10
SCA11100
Writing and Screen Project Development

-5-
 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting and MA Screen Project Development
2009-10
SCA11100
Writing and Screen Project Development

Assessment Guidelines

Assessment 1: Script Report (50%)

Submit a script report on a project you are assigned by the tutor. You will also
be assigned a Readers Report template along the lines of those used
currently by Scottish Screen.

You should identify the overall strengths and weakness and in particular in the
following areas: dramatic structure, characterisation, plot, genre, tone,
dialogue, theme and visual style. What is original about the narrative and what
is familiar?

Indicate how the project might be further developed and identify the specific
areas that should be addressed in the next stages of the screenplay’s
development. How will this impact upon other aspects of the project (e.g.
attaching another writer, director, script editor, storyboard artist, other
screenplay development projects.)

Typically, your report should be no more than 3-4 pages (with the synopsis
coming in at one page or less). Further guidance will be given in class and on
webCT.

Assignment 2. Story Report (50%)

Identify a short story, novel, play, poem, game or biography etc. that you have
read recently or are reading and do an appraisal of its potential for adaptation
for the screen, identifying strengths and weaknesses in relation to:

Story development potential

What elements of the story make it suitable for development as a particular

form of screen work?

Can you identify the strengths and weakness of the original source in relation
to its development for the screen, in particular relating to characterisation,
location, period (if relevant) and theme?

What is original and what is familiar about the story?

Possible format – single TV drama, documentary, serial, sitcom, feature film,

short film or interactive entertainment. What elements of the original source
are likely to influence the form?

-6-
 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting and MA Screen Project Development
2009-10
SCA11100
Writing and Screen Project Development

Writer suitability – level of experience required, number of writers needed,

specialist knowledge (e.g. animation, comedy, team writing) or other factors.
Other development input required – e.g. script editor, specialist researcher,
director, etc.

Casting Potential – Writers are encouraged to use actors and actresses as

examples to illustrate how they see their characters. Producers will be
expected to have more real world examples of how the project might be cast.

Budgetary & market issues – e.g. very low budget; medium budget e.g.
achievable within domestic film/TV economy or requiring international co-
production finance.

Particular emphasis should be place on the story development potential,

which should represent at least 70% of your story report.

Your story report should be approximately 2000 words in length.

You will receive feedback on the assessments within three weeks of

submission though every effort will be made to reduce this to 1-2 weeks.

Assessment Criteria
Coursework in this module will be assessed by course tutors bearing in mind
the following criteria:
• Correct and accurate use of screenwriting terminology, language and
core concepts
• Evidence of appropriate research and contextualisation
• Professionalism in presentation of written and other materials
• Evidence of critical thinking
• Professional-level competence in producing script and story reports
• Evidence of creative thinking, particularly in relation to the processes of
adaptation
• Ability to manage own time and meet deadlines

-7-
 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting and MA Screen Project Development
2009-10
SCA11100
Writing and Screen Project Development

Submission Of Work

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

submitted up to two weeks 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. Please make sure that all
work carries a COVER PAGE with your name, matriculation number, module
number and name of the assignment. Pages should also be numbered.

Reading List

These are indicative references for background reading and reference.

Parker, P. The Art and Science of Screenwriting (London: Intellect, 1998)

Bernard, S.C. Documentary Storytelling (London: Focal Press, 2003)

Miller, C. Digital Storytelling: A Creator's Guide to Interactive Entertainment

(London: Focal Press, 2004)

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

Field, S. Screenplay (Delta, 2005)

Websites: www.scottishscreen.com and www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/

Also see WebCT for web and other electronic resources.

Please use the various Facebook sites to exchange comments, ideas and to
share clips and film-links with fellow students:

Edinburgh Skillset Screen and Media Academy – Buzz (for projects)

Edinburgh Skillset Screen & Media Academy (for news etc.)

-8-
 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting and MA Screen Project Development
2009-10
SCA11100
Writing and Screen Project Development

-9-
 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting and MA Screen Project Development
2009-10
SCA11100
Writing and Screen Project Development

Timetable
Screen Academy Production Centre, Studio 2 (except weeks 6 + 7)
THURSDAYS 10-1.

1 10 Sept Introduction to Module. JM/NRS

2 17 Sept Premise, Outline, Synopsis, JM/NRS

Treatments, Step-Outlines, Pitch
Pages … the paper trail of project
development.
3 24 Sept Character, Characterisation & NRS
Character Story

+ Prep for Script Report assignment

4 1 Oct Structure, Plotting & Active NRS

Questions

5 8 Oct Screenplay Formatting/Writing Shots NRS

- Directing The Director

ASSIGNMENT 1 – SCRIPT
REPORT (50%)

6 15 Oct Visual Style & Tone NRS

NB. Change of Location for this

week’s classes. Craighouse campus.
Room NC 638 (tbc)
7 Story Week
Mon 19 October Masterclass: Andrea Gibb (Napier)
Tues 20 October Short Films Screenings (ECA) All day
Wed 21 October Animation (ECA) workshops,
Thur 22 October Short Film (ECA) seminars and
Friday 23 October Documentary (ECA) masterclasses

8 29 Oct Theme and Genre NRS

- 10 -
 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting and MA Screen Project Development
2009-10
SCA11100
Writing and Screen Project Development

9 5 Nov Adaptation JM

+ Prep for Story Reporting

assignment
10 12 Nov Dialogue NRS/Aileen
Ritchie (tbc)

11 19 Nov Storytelling for Documentary Prof Robin

MacPherson

12 26 Nov Developing ideas for Television JM

ASSIGNMENT 2 – STORY
REPORT (50%)
13 Wednesday ECA Pitching Session
2 December
1-5pm ECA MA Directing and Napier/ECA
MFA students pitch projects, looking
ECA for potential collaborators.
Main Lecture
Theatre Drinks!!
13 3 December Research for Drama and Yvonne
Documentary Baginsky

14 10 December Research, reading and tutorials

15 17 December Research, reading and tutorials

24 December CHRISTMAS BREAK

14 January 2010 TRIMESTER 2 CLASSES RESUME

Please note:

Each week’s class is fully supported by materials on webCT, including video

lectures, background reading, weblinks and other materials.

Week 6 classes will not be taught in the Screen Academy due to a competing
workshop. Please note the venue for this week’s class is on the Craighouse
campus:

Craighouse campus NC 638

- 11 -
 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting and MA Screen Project Development
2009-10
SCA11100
Writing and Screen Project Development

Week 7 classes are replaced by five days of activities devoted to Storytelling

and screenwriting at the Edinburgh College of Art (ECA). There will be events
on each day, Monday to Friday. The Monday session will be a masterclass
with screenwriter Andrea Gibb; the Tuesday session will consist of screenings
of short films; the Wednesday session will be devoted to Animation; the
Thursday session will be devoted to a discussion and workshop on Short
Films, followed by networking and DRINKS; the Friday session to storytelling
in Documentary.

Full details to follow.

Week 13-15. There are no formal taught classes in these weeks in this
module. These weeks will be set aside for research, reading and tutorials.

On Wednesday 2 December, 1-5pm, we are invited to hear ECA students

pitch their short film projects and outline what and who they are looking for in
the way of help and collaboration.

This session will be followed by another chance to mix with Screen Academy
staff and students over Christmas Drinks.

- 12 -
 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting and MA Screen Project Development
2009-10
SCA11100
Writing and Screen Project Development

Appendix: Assessment Brief and University Regulations

1. Module SCA11100
number
2. Module Writing and Screen Project Development
title
3. Module JAMES MAVOR
leader j.mavor@napier.ac.uk
4. Tutors James Mavor and Nigel R. Smith
with
responsibilit
y for this
Assessment
5. 1: Essay (Script Report)
Assessment 2: Essay (Story Report)
s
6. Weighting 1: 50% of module assessment
2: 50% of module assessment

7. Size limits 1: 3000 words (4 pages)

for 2: 2000 words
assessment
8. Deadline 1: Thursday 8 October at 5pm
of 2: Thursday 26 November at 5pm
submission
If you wish to apply for a short extension you must agree this
Your with the module leader before the deadline.
attention is
drawn to the Assignments submitted up to 5 working days after the stated
penalties for deadline will be capped at P1. Any assignments received after
late 5 working days will receive a mark of F1 (Fail).
submission
If you have mitigating circumstances, you can apply for these to
be considered by the University Mitigating Circumstances
Panel at the end of the module.

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

Arrangemen
ts for Your work must be submitted with the appropriate cover sheet.
submission You will find this on webCT.

- 13 -
 Screen Academy Scotland
MA Screenwriting and MA Screen Project Development
2009-10
SCA11100
Writing and Screen Project Development

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

assessment +Administration/
s are Regulations+and+Policies/2009-10Regulations.htm
subject to
the
University This website contains the current regulations and details of how
Regulations. to apply for Mitigating Circumstances extensions.
11. Please see module handout. A copy of the assessment brief is
Requiremen also on webCT.
ts for the
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.

- 14 -