Screenwriting 3: From Page to Screen (Online)

Pre-requisites for enrolment

This course is suited to students who have studied introductory and intermediate level skills in screenwriting.

Students will need to be able to confidently use videoconferencing software and be comfortable with using websites.

Special Information

In order to participate in this course, you will need access to a computer with a speaker, microphone and a good internet connection. An internet browser is required to access the online learning platform. Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are the recommended browsers.

Content of Course

Classes will be a mixture of lectures, class discussions and practical workshops.

1. How to write the whole screenplay.

2. Re-writing tips and tricks.

3. Writing Subtext.

4. Advanced Visual Storytelling.

5. Advanced Subtext Writing.

6. Writing Exposition.

7. Re-writing workshop.

8. Giving your film meaning.

9. The Business of Screenwriting.

10. Final workshop.

Teaching method(s)

This course will be taught through a combination of available materials and live online sessions delivered via our Virtual Learning Environment. Live sessions will be a mix of lectures, viewing examples, discussion and analysis of clips/script excerpts. Students will be encouraged to practice their writing skills in short exercises during class sessions and in homework, with space for students to read, analyse and feedback on each other’s work.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Develop an idea into a marketable script;

• Pitch a screen story in both written and oral form;

• Apply advanced professional techniques to their own writing.

Sources

Core Readings

Students should not purchase books until the course is confirmed to run, and their teacher instructs them to do so.

Essential:

• Friedmann, J. & Walker, C., 2012. The Insider's Guide to Writing for Television and Film, UK: Trotman Publishing.

• Friedmann, J., 2000. How To Make Money Scriptwriting, 2nd edition, Inc NetLibrary: Intellect Books

• The Writers and Artists Yearbook, London: A&C Black (revised annually)

Web Sources

http://www.script-o-rama.com/index.shtml

Script-O-Rama: hundreds of movie and TV scripts to download and read (for education purposes).

http://www.imsdb.com/

Internet Movie Script Database: professional movie scripts.

http://www.scriptslug.com

Script Slug: more scripts to download and read.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/

BBC Script Library: TV and radio scripts to download and read.

https://www.donedealpro.com/default.aspx

DoneDeal resources for screenplay, pitch, treatment sales and more.

http://www.screendaily.com

Screen Daily updates from the screen trade.

 

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk 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.