Module manager: Sarah Lahm
Email: S.Lahm@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module is an introduction into screen narrative in film and television. Students learn how stories are constructed by examining characters and common dramatic structures across these forms of media. Students also learn how to use scriptwriting software and undertake screenwriting exercises in seminars. Knowledge and understanding is demonstrated through an assessed essay and through a short script project.
The module introduces the theories behind, and the practices of, constructing narrative for film and television media. It aims to:
1. Introduce students to key narrative principles in screen storytelling through lectures
2. Give an overview of common narrative structures in film and television outputs and discuss specific examples in seminars
3. Summarise generic conventions in film and television and identify these from within the set screenings
4. Outline the principles and layout of a professional script using screenwriting software
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Describe the conventions of screen narrative and explain how they relate to dramatic structure and industry screenwriting practices
2. Interpret film and television theory to analyse media text(s)
3. Create a short script that applies narrative conventions and showcases awareness of industry screenwriting practices
Skills learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Academic writing – the ability to write in a clear, concise, focused and structured manner in response to essay questions on the conventions of screen narrative.
5. Creativity – the ability to generate ideas and demonstrate originality when planning and writing an original script.
6. Critical thinking – the ability to gather information from a range of academic sources on film and television and use supporting evidence to form arguments.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Film Screenings | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Lectures | 10 | 1.5 | 15 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 155 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 45 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Progress and understanding is monitored in seminars through weekly discussions of the film and/or television show and through engagement with the reading material. It can also be monitored through discussions with the module leader during office hours. For the script assignment, student progress is monitored through the submission of two premises to the module leader for constructive criticism. This can then be fed forward into their script.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Essay 2,500 words | 50 |
| Assignment | Script 10 pages | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Resit of original assessment available.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 6/4/2024
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team