University of Essex

EA230-5-FY-SO:
Creating Film

The details

Year: 2023/24

Department: East 15 Acting School

Campus: Southend Campus

Term: Full Year

Level: Undergraduate: Level 5

Status: Current

Start date: Thursday 05 October 2023

End date: Friday 28 June 2024

Credits: 30

Last updated: 31 March 2021

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

BA W900 Creative Producing (Theatre and Short Film),
BA W900MV Creative Producing (Theatre and Short Film)

Module description

This module, which builds on and expands the work from the first year, adds a further aspect to the students' progression in filmmaking as well as introducing students to writing for television.

As a complement to learning on other modules in directing for the camera and the practical aspects of filmmaking, in this module students will now be taught how to frame a narrative, generate dialogue, and create characters for a variety of purposes. The will see their writing realized via actors and experience the process of directing actors to perform a small script they have written.

Module aims

To introduce students to a range of screenwriting styles and contrasting approaches used to create original work
To introduce students to some of the techniques used to construct a successful screenplay
To enable students to find their voice and create engaging, original and thought provoking scripts
To familiarise students with terminology used by screenwriters.

Module learning outcomes

1. Understanding of the narrative structures and genre conventions used in the development of scripts
2. Ability to develop ideas into concepts, stories and scripts
3. Understanding of the critical language used by screenwriters.
4. Ability to critically analyse and edit your own work
5. Understanding of the differences of writing for different projects (TV / Film / Games)

Module information

Assessment
Tasks set by the tutor with an accompanying portfolio of project work.
Portfolio of short writing assignments: 5 entries of 2 minute scenes (50%)
Short Film Script (not produced): 15 minutes script (50%)

Learning and teaching methods

Teaching will be predominately Seminar based, with screenings to take place on occasion. Students will meet with their tutor for 2 hours a week across the year but will be expected to be carrying out research and writing tasks independently outside of these hours.

Bibliography

Trouble with accessing resources? (no date). Available at: https://essex.libwizard.com/id/0ca0192f0d51b4c22469d6030fd1306f.
Ayckbourn, A. (2004) Crafty Art of Playmaking. London: Faber. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=30260756.
Edgar, D. (2009) How plays work. London: Nick Hern Books. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=689972.
Gooch, Steve. (2004) Writing a Play (Writing). Third edition. A & C Black. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/611698.
Peter Ansorge (no date) From Liverpool to Los Angeles. Faber & Faber.
LaBelle, B. (2010) Acoustic territories: sound culture and everyday life. New York: Continuum. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9781501336225?locatt=label:secondary_bloomsburyCollections.
David Sonnenschein (2001) Sound Design: The Expressive Power of Music, Voice and Sound Effects in Cinema. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=6188352.
Nisbett, A. (2003) The sound studio: audio techniques for radio, television, film and recording. 7th ed. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/66000.
Banham, M. (1995) The Cambridge guide to theatre. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Bentley, E. (2008a) The theory of the modern stage: from Artaud to Zola, an introduction to modern theatre and drama. [New ed.]. London: Penguin. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/1095981.
Bentley, E. (2008b) The theory of the modern stage: from Artaud to Zola, an introduction to modern theatre and drama. [New ed.]. London: Penguin. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/1095981.
Cowgill, L.J. (2005) Writing short films: structure and content for screenwriters. 2nd ed. Los Angeles, CA: Lone Eagle Pub. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=739969.
Booker, C. (2004) The seven basic plots: why we tell stories. London: Continuum. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/571060.
Cooper, P. and Dancyger, K. (2004) Writing the short film. 3rd ed. Boston, Mass: Focal. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=232109.
Donald C Farber (2006) Producing theatre. New York: Limelight Editions.
Shore, A., Carfora, J.M. and SMRO. (2011) The art of funding and implementing ideas: a guide to proposal development and project management. London: SAGE. Available at: http://sk.sagepub.com/books/the-art-of-funding-and-implementing-ideas.
Mitchell, K. and Hytner, N. (2009) The directors craft?: a handbook for the theatre. London: Routledge. Available at: https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.4324/9780203889701.
Figgis, M. (2014) Digital filmmaking. Revised edition. New York: Faber and Faber. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=30270939.
Thompson, R. and Bowen, C.J. (1998) Grammar of the shot. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=421062.
Bordwell, D., Thompson, K. and Smith, J. (2019) Film Art: An Introduction. 12th edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/387523.
Bruce A. Bergner (30AD) The Poetics of Stage Space: The Theory and Process of Theatre Scene Design. McFarland & Co. Available at: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=576885.
Donnellan, D. (2005) The actor and the target. London: Nick Hern Books. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=1128729.
Edgar, D. (1999) Playwrights on playwriting. London: Faber.
Radosavljevic, D. and Palgrave Connect (Online service) Theatre and Performance 2013 (2013) Theatre-making: interplay between text and performance in the 21st century. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Available at: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/9781137367884.
Thurlow, M. and Thurlow, C. (no date) Making short films: the complete guide from script to screen. Third edition. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/931714.
Thurlow, C. (2005) Making short films: the complete guide from script to screen. Oxford: Berg. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/931714.
Weston, J. (1996) Directing Actors. Seattle, WA: Michael Wiese Productions. Available at: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=6188351.
Mamet, D. (1992) On directing film. New York: Penguin.
Crispin Raymond (1998) Essential theatre. London: Arts Council of England.
Marshall, K. (1998) Theatre Management: A Successful Guide to Producing Plays on Commercial and Non-Profit Stages. Studio City, USA: Scarecrow Press.

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam	Description	Coursework weighting
Coursework	TV Pilot and Treatment	30%
Coursework	Portfolio of short writing assignments	30%
Coursework	Short film Script	40%

Exam format definitions

Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor:

Teaching staff:

Contact details:

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: No

Available to Outside Option: No

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

Name: Ms Rosalind Maddison

Institution: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

Academic role: Head of Production

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: No lecture recording information available for this module.

Further information

Department website: East 15 Acting School

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Module Directory

EA230-5-FY-SO:Creating Film