Academic titleCreative Writing (Plays & Screenplays) MA
Course descriptionThe programme provides a supportive and thought-provoking environment for playwrights and screenwriters to finish a full-length work to a high standard. Its advisory board includes the playwrights/screenwriters Julian Fellowes, Barrie Keeffe, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Stephen Poliakoff and Meera Syal.
Students acquire an indepth knowledge of both playwriting and screenwriting before choosing which to specialise in. There will also be specialist sessions on radio and TV drama. No single style or genre will be prescribed. The ethos of the programme will be excellence and diversity.
In addition to completing a full length play or film script, students participate in workshops taught by practising screenwriters and playwrights. They have the opportunity to work with actors and to meet leading writers. Patrick Marber, Moira Buffini, Sebastian Barry, Robin Soans, Julian Fellowes and Doris Lessing have already visited the programme this year. Other writers who have promised to visit are Alan Bennett, William Boyd, Stephen Poliakoff and Tanika Gupta. Students may also have the opportunity to have a short film produced.
Students acquire a critical understanding of classic and contemporary films and plays from the writer's point of view. They also learn to work in the industry. The location of City University enables directors, producers and agents to be frequent visitors. There will be a showcase of work at the end of the programme to which industry professionals and advisory board members will also be invited.
* Stimulating, challenging, and above all practical, this part-time two year course provides a supportive and thought-provoking environment for playwrights and screenwriters
* The course is informed by the experiences of leading writers and is distinctive in offering professional level training in three media – theatre, film and television
* Recent visiting writers include Alan Bennett, April de Angelis, Mike Leigh, Ashley Pharaoh, Roy Williams, Moira Buffini and Patrick Marber. Producers and other industry professionals are also regular visitors.
* The course is taught by practising professional writers who are also experienced educators. Its advisory board includes Julian Fellowes, Stephen Poliakoff, Kwame Kwei-Armah and Meera Syal.
* City University’s location in Islington, near to Sadler’s Wells, places us right in the heart of one of the world’s most vibrant cities – and just minutes away from some of its most exciting theatres
Modules
Dramatic Writing
(30 credits)
This module looks at contemporary and classic plays and scripts from the writer's point of view. It considers the compositional choices the writer has made in terms of form and genre and enables students to try out some of these choices in their own writing. The module aims to deepen understanding of dramatic form, to enable students to make informed choices in their writing and to engage with other writers' work. Activities include writing exercises, reviewing, play/script analysis, research and interacting with visiting writers.
Writing Workshop
(30 credits)
This module aims to enable students to develop their skills in writing for theatre and film in a series of seminars, exercises and workshops. There are specialist sessions introducing students to radio and TV drama. The module also introduces students to the practice of hearing their work read by others, to responding critically to their own and other students' writing, and to rewriting.
The Production Business
(30 credits)
This module aims to acquaint students with aspects of working as writers in the theatre, film, TV and radio drama industries and give them the necessary skills and understanding to work as professional playwrights and/or screenwriters.
Own Play or Screenplay
(90 credits)
For many less experienced writers, the problem is not starting a play or filmscript, but developing and completing it. This module will enable students to develop and complete, to a high standard and following professional practice, a play or feature film script of no less than 90 minutes to a standard suitable for submission to a producer. It will also enable students to prepare an extract of their play or script for a performed reading by actors.