Screenwriting: From Film Idea to Pitch



Overview

In this introduction to screenwriting, you will learn to discuss key concepts, techniques and procedures of the writing process. Together as a group we will investigate their application in case studies, both provided by the tutor and selected by you. Through regular contributions, you will actively develop your observation of the film and TV industries, grow your ability to communicate your film idea alongside established concepts such as character, genre and structure, and build an increasing awareness of the creative needs and opportunities evolving from your project.

Working with participant projects in active development, we will examine film/TV story development procedures as part of a wider web of film industry institutions and procedures. Here emerging writers will get to respond to the variety of traditions, agendas and expectations that their immediate collaborators (including development executives, agents, producers and directors) bring to a film idea. This will create a solid foundation for writing your own screenplay in the course 'Screenwriting: From Pitch to Screen', should you wish to take it.

Programme details

Course starts: 30 Sept 2024

Week 1: Introduction & course overview

Week 2: Character

Week 3: Structure

Week 4: Genre

Week 5: Script Coverage

Week 6: Student Coverage Presentation (formative assessment)

Week 7: Formats and Formatting

Week 8: The Ethics of Storytelling

Week 9: Pitching Techniques

Week 10: Students pitch their Project (summative assessment)

Digital Certification

To complete the course and receive a certificate, you will be required to attend at least 80% of the classes on the course and pass your final assignment. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £295.00
Take this course for CATS points £30.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Mr Carl Schoenfeld

Carl has three decades’ film industry experience as writer and producer. He pioneered new approaches with award-winning talent, including BAFTA-nominated film and TV productions for the BBC, BFI and Channel4. He runs Screenwriting Workshops for the British Film Institute and through his Online Screenwriting Academy.

Course aims

We aim to develop a personalised understanding of the screenwriting process, its key elements and procedures, including limitations and opportunities in the context of student project aims.

Course Objectives:

  • Learn techniques to structure the development of film and TV ideas, to build on established screenwriting concepts and on film/TV case study analysis in order to articulate conclusions for your individual story development process.
  • Explore story development opportunities that arise from your observation of your personal environment, as well as wider cultural developments in the context of rapidly-changing media industries, entertainment formats and technologies.
  • Encourage and facilitate continuous observation of the human condition that builds the foundation of excellent storytelling, of film and TV industry products and networking opportunities including those presented through course peers.

Teaching methods

We learn through guided discussions, relevant case study analysis and student presentations applying lecture content to creative work. We analyse and evaluate examples of films & TV, enabling us to detect trends, and so assess opportunities for our projects. Accordingly, the sessions require active student participation through both specific personal screenwriting projects and general industry observation. Each class will begin with a seminar on the week's topic led by the tutor, including screenings and group discussions, followed by student presentations. 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • have a strong grasp of screenwriting concepts and the writing process, including opportunities and limitations in relation to personal student project aims;
  • develop critical and analytical thinking regarding both their own creative work and the media products they embrace, how these come about and how a more detailed understanding can support their own project development process;
  • talk concisely, effectively and confidently about their own and others' work, including creative aspects and narrative technique.

Assessment methods

Based on their identified project needs, creative development and observations, students are required to submit for summative assessment

either

a) a 1000 word (+/- 10%) portfolio including a project summary, story outline, development plan, and reflection on learning, as well as a final pitch presentation in week 10.

or

b) a 1500 word (+/- 10%) portfolio including a project summary, story outline, development plan, and reflection on learning.

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work the required standard.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form (Word) or enrolment form (Pdf).

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support