BA (Hons) Scriptwriting

Skilled scriptwriters with a wide understanding of broadcast and multi-platform programme production are essential to the continuing success of the industry. Working closely with producers, directors, and script editors, scriptwriters turn concepts into the foundations of productions, making ideas reality, and as such are the cornerstone of television, film, radio, and digital media productions.

You will focus on acquiring professional and constructional competence in the production of scripts, from storylining through to full-length features, in an environment equipped to professional broadcast standards that mirrors the type of integrated workplace in which broadcast, film, radio, and digital media professionals work.

As you progress in your scriptwriting competence and confidence, you will develop a portfolio of work, models of practice, and your own voice: elements that will enable your successful engagement with a lively and dynamic industry.

This course puts theory into practice and accordingly has a strong vocational ethos. It is structured to encourage the production of scripts, which in turn will enable the development of a creative portfolio that will be a foundation for a career in the wider scriptwriting industry. With this in mind, you will:

• Develop a sound understanding of the principles of scriptwriting for both mainstream and newer digital media.
• Be equipped with a knowledge base that enables you to exploit your creativity through engagement with the new opportunities presented through developments in technology and changes in the industry.
• Nurture and extend your creative ability through a professional context.

Level 1

Teaches you the basic scriptwriting skills and theory that will enable you to write successfully for a range of formats, audiences and media. You will explore the visual and aural construction of stories, learning how to combine narrative, characterisation and dialogue for writing a professional script. You will be encouraged to gain real world experience through a scriptwriting work placement.

Level 2

Progresses your skills through a range of individual and collaborative projects exploring storylining, dialogue writing and script editing within both serial and story elements. You will gain a deeper understanding of the scriptwriting process through an analysis of script models, audiences and genres. You will also focus on gaining practical knowledge of how the scriptwriting industry works, from getting agents and negotiating rights, to understanding law and tax.

Level 3

Prepares you for employment with an emphasis on showcasing your scriptwriting talents through developing your portfolio, delivering a major fulllength project and completing an in-depth dissertation that demonstrates the practical, theoretical, and analytical skills you have mastered throughout the course. You can present your work through Ravensbourne's internet-based showcase sites, iPTV station and the end-of-year exhibition Rave on Air; a two-day, live, industry-sponsored broadcast event, where you will have the opportunity to talk and network with industry practitioners about your work and future screenwriting career.

Assessment

You will be assessed through the completion of practical and written work including essays and a range of programmes, online and interactive content, presentations and project reports. You will be supported throughout with positive feedback to help you succeed.

Learning and Support

You will learn through individual and group work through lectures, tutorials and workshops focusing on specific creative and production skills. Throughout, you will have access to well-qualified tutors, industry staff, guest speakers and an impressive range of industry-specification broadcasting facilities including studios, suites and locationbased equipment.

Progression

Once you have successfully achieved the BA (Hons) in Scriptwriting you may want to continue your studies through progression onto the MA/MSc Broadcast Futures programme.

Term Starts

• September 2009.
• September 2010.

Payment of Fees

Students may pay fees either directly to the college or by applying for a tuition fee loan.

Information concerning tuition fees loans and other financial assistance is shown below

Where students are paying fees directly to the college, tuition fees are due in full at the start of the academic year or by the dates stated above if a discount is being claimed.

Where agreement exists to pay by instalments, fees are payable as follows:-

• 40% of the tuition fee + registration fees (if applicable) + administration charge on enrolment.
• 30% of tuition fee at the start of the second term.
• 30% of the tuition at the start of the third term.

Should a student withdraw from a course during the year, tuition fees will be charged as follows:-

• Withdrawal during the first two weeks nil
• Withdrawal before 1st January First terms fees payable
• Withdrawal on or after 1st January Full years fees payable
• Where Registration fees are charged these are payable on enrolment at the start of the academic year and are not refundable.