Alternative Screenwriting

Overview

This creative practice module explores screenwriting for alternative forms of film, focussing on narrative films that deviate from the conventions of classical narrative. The module may consider the art film, the puzzle film, and multi-protagonist films. After analysing a number of examples, students develop and write a short screenplay in one of these alternative forms.

Learning Objectives

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate:



An increased understanding of the characteristics of alternative forms of film and distinctions between these forms.

An increased understanding of classical narrative and how ‘alternative’ forms of film deviate from this.

An increased understanding of approaches to storytelling, structure, characterisation, the scene and dialogue used in a range of alternative forms of film.

An increased understanding of screenwriting practices, approaches, and techniques.

Skills

During the course of the module, students will gain:



An increased ability to design a narrative in one of the alternative forms and to write a screenplay with appropriate characterisation, scene design, and dialogue.

An increased ability to contextualise their own screenwriting in relation to alternative forms of narrative film, to exemplar films, and to theoretical positions regarding these.

Improved skills in providing constructive feedback on the work of others.

Improved time management skills.

Improved presentation skills.

Assessment