FIL-30015 - ISP in Film Studies and Creative Writing
Coordinator: Neil Archer Tel: +44 1782 7 33202
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23


Aims
This ISP enables students to undertake a significant creative project in Film writing as a final-year project. It brings together the theoretical ideas explored across the Film Studies courses with the practical work undertaken across Creative Writing and Film modules. Students will have the opportunity to develop either an extended piece of feature-length screenplay work, a fully-realised short film script, or the treatment for an adaptation of an existing text. Alongside this, students will prepare a commentary essay outlining the theoretical contexts supporting their creative work.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Execute an extended piece of creative writing in feature-film screenwriting, short-film writing or adaptation: 1,2
Undertake detailed research into the theoretical frameworks informing screenwriting or adaptation, and produce a commentary on their own creative practice: 1,2
Identify historical and contemporary trends in film and situate their own work in relation to these: 1,2
Identify key aspects of best and innovative practice in the composition of screenplays or adaptation: 1,2

Study hours

6 x 2 hour workshops = 12 hours
8 x 1 hour supervision (per student) = 8 hours
Independent research and practice = 280 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Practical Assessment weighted 50%
Creative Project
Students can choose from three options, the final choice to be coordinated between the student and the supervisor. The overall length of the creative project should be between 3000-3500 words. 1) A treatment for a proposed original feature-length screenplay, including a detailed structural breakdown and selected scenes or: 2) A treatment for a proposed film adaptation of an existing text (eg, novel, short story, non-fiction book, comic, videogame). This should comprise of a detailed structural breakdown and selected scenes or: 3) A full length outline and complete screenplay for a short film of approximately 30 minutes in length. This can be an original piece of work or an adaptation of an existing text.

2: Commentary weighted 50%
Commentary
Students will prepare a commentary (4000 words) on their area of creative practice. The commentary will a) identify theoretical frameworks for their creative work, in terms of good and innovative practice relating to the relevant field (feature film, short film or adaptation); b) outline the approaches taken in the creative work and reasons for specific creative decisions; c) situate their own work within the terms of historical and contemporary filmmaking practices, making a case for the significance of their own creative contribution in their chosen field