MA Scriptwriting

Program Overview

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Bournemouth University's MA Scriptwriting program prepares students to be effective scriptwriters in the creative industries. Through a blend of theoretical and practical coursework, students develop strong scriptwriting and editing skills, gaining industry-standard knowledge and making valuable industry contacts. The program emphasizes collaboration, critical analysis, and the development of a distinctive authorial voice, equipping graduates for success in various roles within film and television.

Program Outline

The program focuses on developing scriptwriting and editing skills, allowing students to work closely with other students within the Media Production framework.

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Objectives:

• Develop ideas from concept to industry-standard final draft.
• Develop a distinctive authorial voice.
• Make industry contacts to pitch for employment.
• See scripts come to life and contribute to others' productions through collaborative work.
• Gain experience working both in teams and individually.
• Build an industry-standard portfolio, writing in a range of formats and genres.
• Develop a robust attitude towards collaboration and development.

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Outline:

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Content:

The program covers a range of topics related to scriptwriting, including:

• Scriptwriting principles
• Storytelling
• Story development
• Approaches to industry
• Media Production Masters Project

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Structure:

The program is delivered full-time over one year.

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Course Schedule:

• Scriptwriting Principles: Develop the knowledge and skills (both theoretical and practical) to craft compelling and distinct narratives.
Students progress their work through workshops and seminars, shaping their creative voice and vision. They develop short films for collaborative production in the second semester, supported by storytelling principles. The unit also focuses on developing critical and constructive approaches to feedback to advance students' own work and the work of their peers.
• Storytelling: This unit examines concepts of storytelling across audiovisual formats, cultures, and production industries.
Students engage with practice research methodologies to critically engage with a diverse range of narrative forms and approaches.
• Story Development: This unit focuses on the scriptwriting development process, including the writer's role and the skills required for supporting and taking part in creative collaboration.
Students choose a substantial scripted project to craft and shape into a range of industry development documents. These documents form the basis of their Media Production Master's Project.
• Approaches to Industry: This unit introduces key skills and knowledge needed for employment in the media industries.
It provides an opportunity for students to develop their ambitions and strategies for entering the creative industries.
• Media Production Masters Project: This unit allows students to utilize the scriptwriting skills, knowledge, and professional competence gained throughout the course to produce either a major scriptwriting project of their choice that is original and emerges from a development process, or a practice-based research artifact supported by a written analysis, or an individually or collaboratively written thesis.

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Workshops
• Seminars
• Short film development
• Industry development documents
• Major scriptwriting project
• Practice-based research artifact
• Written analysis
However, it is likely that assessments will be evaluated based on:
• Scriptwriting quality
• Storytelling effectiveness
• Narrative development
• Industry knowledge
• Professional competence
• Research skills
• Critical analysis

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

The program employs a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Workshops
• Seminars
• Guest lectures
• Collaborative projects

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Faculty:

The program is taught by a range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge, including:

• Senior academic staff
• Qualified professional practitioners
• Demonstrators
• Technicians
• Research students

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Unique Approaches:

• The program benefits from regular guest lectures from industry professionals.
• The program is accredited by the International Moving Image Society (IMIS).
• The program has close ties with various industry professionals and organizations, ensuring that the curriculum is up-to-date and relevant.

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

The MA Scriptwriting program prepares students for a variety of roles in the film and television industries, including:

• Director
• Script supervisor
• Script editor
• Scripted development
• Storyliner
• Reader
• Scriptwriter
• Students can gain paid work experience through RedBalloon, enhancing their CVs with professional credits and networking opportunities.

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Outcomes:

• Graduates of the program are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the competitive film and television industries.
• The program provides a strong foundation for a career in scriptwriting and related fields.

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Other:

• The program emphasizes the importance of collaboration and teamwork.
• The program encourages students to develop their own unique voice and style.
• The program provides students with the opportunity to work on real-world projects.
• The program is designed to be challenging and rewarding.

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UK:

£9,250

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Fee regions explained:

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UK:

United Kingdom

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ROI:

Republic of Ireland

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CI:

Channel Islands & Isle of Man

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Int'l:

International

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Scholarships

Scholarships rewarding academic achievement available from £2,000.