Module Catalogue 2024/25

SEL2228 : Screenwriting Workshop

SEL2228 : Screenwriting Workshop

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Tina Gharavi
  • Teaching Assistant: Mr Richard Stockwell
  • Owning School: English Lit, Language & Linguistics
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
  • Capacity limit: 60 student places
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Code Title
SEL1000Introduction to Creative Writing
SEL2215Creative Practice
Pre Requisite Comment

Pre-requisite SEL1000 is for QW38 students only.
Pre-requisite SEL2215 is for all students, though students from other programmes may apply to the Module Leader.

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

1. Appreciation of the basic elements of fiction storytelling in screenwriting e.g. story arc, plot, narrative point of view, characterisation.
2. Development of voice and style to produce a short piece of screenwriting fiction with consideration of intended audience.
3. Develop reading and writing skills in screenwriting fiction.
4. Develop imaginative skills in relation to own creative work.
5. Experience in drafting and revising in response to a range of feedback and reading.

Outline Of Syllabus

Week 1-11
The module consists of weekly 2 hour lectures and the continuing weekly 1 hour seminars.

There will also be individual quarter hour tutorials to be scheduled throughout the semester by teaching staff, at which each student may present a passage of their own writing for constructive criticism from their tutor, or submission plans may be discussed.

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1. The student will acquire insight into the imaginative processes of writing
2. The student will also acquire insight into the affective power of language
3. The student will understand key technical aspects of screenwriting structure
4. The student will expand their knowledge of a range of screenwriting

Intended Skill Outcomes

1. The ability to create and develop a screenplay .
2. The ability to apply craft skills, techniques and methods to own creative work.
3. The ability to maintain a creative journal.
4. The ability to build on and develop work already underway and engage in the process of editing and revision.
5. The ability to read exemplar and other texts with attention to verbal and formal creativity.
6. The ability to assess and reflect upon their own creative work and the work of peers with constructive rigour in seminar, and in their creative journal.
7. The ability to demonstrate engagement with the critical process in a self-reflexive essay.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture112:0022:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion1166:45166:45N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching111:0011:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops10:150:15Individual tutorial with each student
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The weekly lecture introduces the students to formal questions about creative screenwriting, and sets tasks and exercises to help them write.
The weekly seminar workshops enable the general principles of the course to be applied through close reading, or set exercises, or in practical critique of individual pieces of writing, led by the tutor.

The individual tutorial focuses the student’s attention on the revision process, leading in the commentary to an overview of techniques, and themes, and a contextualisation of their work in relation to contemporary writing.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Portfolio2A1002,500 words (approx 10 pages) of script plus self-reflexive commentary of 1500 words or the equivalent in continuous assessment.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students will submit 2,500 words (approx 10 pages) of original creative screenwriting. A critical commentary of 1500 words will also be submitted. In this students should discuss their drafting process, and their principles of selection. They should also discuss any relevant information about genre, influences and themes explored in their work. It must include a bibliography of books read and events attended as part of this module.

The submission of creative work allows students to develop the range of skills and knowledge associated with the course. The accompanying commentary enables to student reflect critically upon their own creative processes, and to relate these to contemporary literature and screenwriting.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

Welcome to Newcastle University Module Catalogue

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You may have some queries about the modules available to you. Your school office will be able to signpost you to someone who will support you with any queries.

Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.