Module: CW7101-30 Dramatic Structure

Level: 7

Credit Value: 30

Module Tutor: Robin Mukherjee

Module Tutor Contact Details: r.mukherjee@bathspa.ac.uk

1.Brief description and aims of module

The module offers a firm foundation in the essentials of scriptwriting, covering creative strategy, critical thinking and the basics of craft.

2.Outline syllabus

Beginning with the inception of ideas, through their development via narrative, themes and character, into the refined medium of a finished piece, this module covers the full journey of the creative process from inspiration to the point of production.

The major areas of exploration are:

• Creative Strategies. How to find, develop, and work with ideas (keeping creativity alive).
• Craft. The fundamentals of story structure, character development, themes, motif, visual story-telling, and dialogue.
• Documents. The document trail expected by the industry from the two-pager proposal, to the ‘treatment’, to the professionally formatted script.
• Critical Theory. A little exploration of imagined boundaries and how to go beyond.

Students are expected to read and view widely, both classic and contemporary works. They will learn how to read and view as writers, and be able to discuss how their literary diet impacts upon their literally expression in terms of techniques and ideas.

3.Teaching and learning activities

Students attend three intensive weekends. The working day runs from 10.30 – 5.00

Each weekend consists of a mix of seminars and workshops. The seminars will introduce approaches to craft and creativity, while the workshops put these into practice.

Guest speakers are sometimes offered to provide specialist guidance on particular subjects.

The students develop a portfolio of creative pieces in different mediums over the weekends in response to set tasks and exercises.

The students learn to collaborate and to critique each others work in collective projects and open workshops.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work
• Description: 5,000 Word Folder
• % Weighting: 100%