Module Specifications.
Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025
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Date posted: September 2024 No Banner module data is available
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Description The course explores screenwriting in its various forms. The form and structure of feature films and short films are studied and analyzed. The course assignment (writing an original short film script) enables students to discover a story they want to tell in their own unique style using various writing assignments, screenings of films, and story telling. The emphasis is on creating visual, cinematic pieces of work. The process of developing a script prepares students for future employment in writing for film and television, script development or production as well as aiding their understanding of the role of the script in film in academic studies. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning Outcomes 1. Understand the visual nature of screenwriting 2. Write a cinematic short film 3. Develop screenplays for either film or television production 4. Explain the narrative structure of both Hollywood and Art House films 5. Analyse and criticise completed scripts in a constructive manner | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Lecture 1Introduction to screenwriting in general and the short film in particular. What makes a short different from feature films? What are the qualities of a good short? The visual nature of the short film will be explored.Lecture 2Story, the nature of the beast. What are the possible sources of story? Can your story be original? The source and use of mythology and fairy stories in cinema.Lecture 3Story continued. Other sources of stories - real life stories, personal experiences. The process of developing an idea into a script. Look at action and plot. Conflict. How to bring an idea to an outline to a treatment to step outline to script. Breakdown of the dramatic scene.Lecture 4Structure. The classical three act structure. Turning points and pinch points. Can we apply this to the short film formLecture 5Character. The transformational arc. Use of Voiceover. Watch The Squid and The Whale.Lecture 6Character - how to develop it for a short film? How to create a rounded character in ten minutes? Goal and motivation.Lecture 7Structure continued. The beginning. Where to start your script? Dramatic openings. Act One development. How to set up your story, main character, the central drive and engage an audience. The catalyst or inciting incident. Sound and how to use it dramatically.Lecture 8Dialogue. Subtext.Genre and the short film. Alternative forms of screenwriting – the minimalist script. Homework - First draft of screenplay.Lecture 9Act 2. How to keep the drama moving? Look at revisions of first draft. Class discussionLecture 10.Act 3. The finale. The climax.Lecture 11Script workshop. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||