Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Script workshop 1
SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: SCA11102
Module leader: James Mavor
School School of Arts and Creative Industries
Subject area group: Screen and Performance
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
Description of module content:

In this module, you will develop a range of short form work such as short films, sketches, web dramas, monologues, animation, vertical format.In weekly workshops, you will follow a process which mirrors that of a professional screenwriter as they generate ideas and develop their projects producing a series of documents – premise, synopsis, outline, step outline or treatment and various drafts of a number of short form screenplays. These form a portfolio of work which forms the main part of your assessment in this module. A Creative and Critical Journal encourages reflection, contextualises the portfolio and provides evidence of your research, learning and professional development. Creative work-in-progress is regularly circulated and workshopped in small groups. This process develops and enhances the projects, stimulates team-working and collaboration and helps develop your own writing but also your story-development, script-editing and inter-personal skills. This module encourages you to work collaboratively with your peers, and where relevant, with students on the MA Film programme. The weekly workshop sessions are enhanced by masterclasses and visits from guest speakers - professional writers, producers and script developers - who offer advice and insights into the professional world.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Generate, critically evaluate and select potential ideas for development as a short form project.

LO2: Analyse and critically assess a range of oral and written feedback in the course of project development.

LO3: Critically appraise potential collaborators, industry trends and potential markets for the creative and commercial development of the project.

LO4: Exercise appropriate judgement to plan, produce and present projects in oral, written and electronic formats in a timely and professional manner.

LO5: Critically reflect on the writing and development process to date.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2026/7, Trimester 1, In Person,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: In Person
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: James Mavor
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 39 Weekly three-hour classes which comprise a range of activities including craft skills, industry awareness, short form screenings, discussion and debate, student presentations and industry guests. The final 60-90' minutes of each class may be devoted to workshop activities which develop the short form projects through feedback and peer review.
Online Guided independent study 160 Guided independent study - writing and development of scripts. Reading, viewing, online research. Industry engagement is encouraged (e.g. film festival visits, self-organised placements, screenings).
Face To Face Tutorial 1 Each student will have a single one hour or two thirty-minute tutorials with the module leader for individual tutorials to focus on individual learning needs and personal and professional development plans.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Reflective Log 20 1~2~3~4~5 Week 13 , WORDS= 2000 words The Creative and Critical Journal contextualises the Portfolio submission. Students are encouraged to reflect on the development process of each script with particular reference to texts, films or online research which has informed the writing and development process. Evidence of reading, viewing and research beyond the core module reading list is encouraged. Students review and critique a short piece of work from a screenwriting perspective. Finally, the CCJ allows the student to look ahead to the coming modules and plan their own learning and professional development strategies.
Portfolio 80 1~2~3~4 Week 13 , WORDS= 5000 words The portfolio collates the written work created over the course of the module. There is a minimum number of scripts (usually four) and the student is free to add other work as long as this is contextualised in the accompanying CCJ. The scripts should be final drafts and 'industry ready' in terms of format, presentation, grammar and spelling.
Component 1 subtotal: 80
Component 2 subtotal: 20
Module subtotal: 100
2026/7, Trimester 1, ONLINE,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 002
Primary mode of delivery: ONLINE
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Paul Gray
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Independent Learning Practical classes and workshops 26 Online: Weekly seminars that comprise a range of activities including craft skills, industry awareness, short form screenings, discussion and debate, student presentations and industry guests. Seminars also include workshop activities that support the development of your short form projects through feedback and peer review.
Independent Learning Tutorial 2 Online: You will have individual and small group tutorials to focus on your individual learning needs and professional development plans.
Online Guided independent study 160 Online: Guided independent study - writing and development of scripts. Reading, viewing, online research. Industry engagement is encouraged (e.g. film festival visits including industry networking events and screenings).
Independent Learning On-demand Webinar 12 Online: You will have access to recorded resources that will further support your key skills and techniques to develop your screenwriting understanding and practice.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Portfolio 80 1~2~3~4 Week 13 , WORDS= 4 works The portfolio collates the written work created over the course of the module. There is a minimum number of script based works (usually four short-form) and you are free to add other work as long as this is contextualised in the accompanying creative and critical journal. Scripts should be final drafts and 'industry ready' in terms of format, presentation, grammar and spelling.
Reflective Log 20 1~2~3~4~5 Week 13 , WORDS= 2000 words The Creative and Critical Journal contextualises the Portfolio submission. You are encouraged to reflect on the development process of each script with particular reference to texts, films or online research which has informed the writing and development process. Evidence of reading, viewing and research beyond the core module reading list is encouraged. You review and critique a short piece of work from a screenwriting perspective. Finally, the CCJ allows you to look ahead to the coming modules and plan your own learning and professional development strategies.
Component 1 subtotal: 80
Component 2 subtotal: 20
Module subtotal: 100
2026/7, Trimester 2, Online (fully o,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 002
Primary mode of delivery: Online (fully o
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Paul Gray
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Independent Learning Practical classes and workshops 26 Online: Weekly seminars that comprise a range of activities including craft skills, industry awareness, short form screenings, discussion and debate, student presentations and industry guests. Seminars also include workshop activities that support the development of your short form projects through feedback and peer review.
Independent Learning Tutorial 2 Online: You will have individual and small group tutorials to focus on your individual learning needs and professional development plans.
Online Guided independent study 160 Online: Guided independent study - writing and development of scripts. Reading, viewing, online research. Industry engagement is encouraged (e.g. film festival visits including industry networking events and screenings).
Independent Learning On-demand Webinar 12 Online: You will have access to recorded resources that will further support your key skills and techniques to develop your screenwriting understanding and practice.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Portfolio 80 1~2~3~4 Week 13 , WORDS= 4 works The portfolio collates the written work created over the course of the module. There is a minimum number of script based works (usually four short-form) and you are free to add other work as long as this is contextualised in the accompanying creative and critical journal. Scripts should be final drafts and 'industry ready' in terms of format, presentation, grammar and spelling.
Reflective Log 20 1~2~3~4~5 Week 13 , WORDS= 2000 words The Creative and Critical Journal contextualises the Portfolio submission. You are encouraged to reflect on the development process of each script with particular reference to texts, films or online research which has informed the writing and development process. Evidence of reading, viewing and research beyond the core module reading list is encouraged. You review and critique a short piece of work from a screenwriting perspective. Finally, the CCJ allows you to look ahead to the coming modules and plan your own learning and professional development strategies.
Component 1 subtotal: 80
Component 2 subtotal: 20
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
SCA11102 Script Workshop 1
 

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