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Independent Playwriting Project - TFT00043H

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  • Department: Theatre, Film, Television and Interactive Media
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Bridget Foreman
  • Credit value: 40 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2021-22

Module summary

In this module students will plan, research and write an ambitious, hour-long play on a topic of their own choosing, and will document their research and development process with a detailed analytical essay.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

The aims of this module are

  • to provide the opportunity to write an hour-long play
  • to give students the opportunity to design and execute an ambitious independent scriptwriting project
  • to provide students with a range of strategies for generating script ideas
  • to test and enhance their command of the knowledge, skills, and techniques acquired during previous scriptwriting modules in a context where, although supported by supervisorial guidance, they have the chance to create their own agendas and devise methods to carry them out
  • to enable students to understand and participate actively in the process of script development
  • to develop in them the self-analytical capacity to reflect on the function, scope and effectiveness of your R&D period

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module students will be expected

  • to have written a 11,000-12,000 script and careful analysis of their research and writing process
  • to have applied and extended the understanding, skills, and knowledge acquired through their work on earlier scriptwriting modules
  • to have demonstrated a working knowledge of structure, and to have chosen an appropriate narrative structure for the story they are telling in their play
  • to demonstrate familiarity with the form, structure & formatting of scripts for theatre
  • to demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between structure, story and character
  • to demonstrate an understanding of how characters are created and developed, and of the interplay between character and action
  • to demonstrate a detailed understanding of the form(s) of a play text – including how to best distinguish (where appropriate) scenes, action, and dialogue – using industry-standard layout & formatting
  • to be able to analyse lucidly, and report on, the function, scope and effectiveness of their R&D period

Module content

There are three stages to the teaching and learning on this module:

Weeks 2-5 Spring: Introductory lectures whilst students plan/scope their plays

Weeks 6-9 Spring: Research and Development period (a four-week taught period)

Weeks 1-7 Summer: One to one supervision of projects.

Reflective essay on R+D (3,000 words) due in Week 10 of the spring term.

Results of R+D and work so far will be discussed with tutors by the end of the Spring Term, and next steps towards a first draft agreed before the Easter break.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
11,000 Word Script		 N/A 75
Essay/coursework
3000 Word Essay		 N/A 25

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Formative feedback takes place throughout the term in the supervisions.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
11,000 Word Script		 N/A 75
Essay/coursework
3000 Word Essay		 N/A 25

Module feedback

Students will receive written feedback on all assessments and reassessments.

Indicative reading

Due to the independent nature of this project, students will create their own bibliography.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.