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Creative Writing

Ripping Scripts 1

Course Times & Enrolment

This course is currently unavailable.

Course Summary

Why not make a drama out of a crisis? This interactive drama-writing class explores the process from page to stage. A chance to monologue, dialogue, scene-set and develop your all-round script-ability.

Course Details

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous knowledge necessary.

Content of Course

1. Lying and Stealing: introductory exercises.

2. Theft and Fraud: character building / dramatic monologue.

3. Talking to Yourself: character interaction.

4. Spying on Your Neighbours: dialogue.

5. The Third Man: beyond dialogue.

6. Damned Plots: the end in the beginning.

7. Thinking Stages: visualising.

8. Show Back?: thinking production.

9. Hard Graft: practical staging (public shoback / class ceilidh).

Teaching method(s)

Work shopping and hot-housing ideas. Discussion and presentation. Drama games. Collaborative presentation and collaborative criticism.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have developed a real sense of:

  • What play-writing involves from the prepared script to the collaborative process;

  • What 'live' actually means;

  • How scripts are developed and acted upon;

  • Practicalities of staging and producing.

Sources

Core Readings

Essential:

  • Bennett, A., 1997. Writing Home. London: Faber.

  • Findlay, B., ed., 1998. History of Scottish Theatre. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

  • Leigh, M. & Coveney, M., 1996. The World According to Mike Leigh. London: Harper Collins.

  • McGrath, J., 1990. The Bone Won't Break. London: Methuen.

  • Mitchell, T., 1990. Dario Fo - People's Court Jester. London: Methuen.

Recommended:

  • Orr, J., & Klaic, D., 1990. Terrorism and Modern Drama. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

  • Samuel, R. et al. 1985. Theatres of the Left 1880 – 1935. London: Routledge.

  • Stevenson, R. & Wallace, C., 1996. Scottish Theatre since the Seventies. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

  • Stoklos, D., 1992. The Essential Theatre. Sao Paolo: Denise Stoke Productions.

Class Handouts

Handouts will be provided.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.