Script Development

Script Development
16 months, part time; next intake September 2009

Script Development in the UK has been marked out as an area in need of better practitioners with higher standards of working practice - the script is the most commonly cited problem when UK films under-perform. This course - run in partnership with The Script Factory equips students with an understanding of the problems and the skills with which to work actively towards solutions.

The course offers participants the highly developed skills required to work with both scripts and screenwriters towards creating better films for the UK and international film industries. The taught element of the course comprises 33 sessions running from September 2009 to July 2010, followed by a six month supervised development project which is time-managed by the student.

The course is designed to offer a collective, collaborative experience as well as total immersion in the art and craft of development for the duration of the programme. While it is full-on it is not full-time; it requires commitment to Wednesday evening taught classes through regular term times and completing relevant assignments, but it is entirely possible to combine this course with full time work – so long as you have the necessary desire and commitment!

The programme combines lectures, seminars and workshops alongside masterclasses with Industry practitioners, and supervised practical work with screenwriters. The other written assessed assignments are practical and designed to be useful to a career in development.

Students on the Script Development course are usually already working in the Industry and taking this course boosts their prospects and fast-tracks their careers. Recent graduates are working as development managers, script developers and script consultants on projects ranging from feature films to children’s television drama series.

The programme takes place at The Script Factory in central London. The entire 16-month programme (10 months course plus the supervised six-month development project) costs £3,500 (corporate rate) or £3,250 (individual rate).

The Diploma is awarded by the National Film and Television School, on completion of all assessed work to the required standard within the specified time frame.

Curriculum

The programme covers:

• Story and Genre Theory
• Script analysis and script report writing
• Assessing and developing screenwriting craft skills
• Negotiating development meetings
• Detailed story development practice
• Strategies for script placement in the Industry
• Assessing treatments and other short documents
• Adaptations - including legal and copyright issues
• The Industrial environment - development in its context
• The public sector, agents, lawyers, independent producers
• Europe and the role of international film festivals
• Distribution and arketing

The Final Project
Towards the end of the first year, students are paired with a new screenwriter for the Final Development Project. Over the last six months of the programme, student and writer will work to together through two drafts and three development meetings. This project is closely supervised and intended to be a useful and practical experience for both the developer and the writer.

Entry Requirements

As well as people who already work in development and the wider film and television industry, this course is suitable for those with experience in other creative industries. Students must want to build a career in script development, and must believe that they have experience and ideas to bring to the process of developing scripts and cultivating writers. All students will have a passion for film, a love of storytelling, initiative, resourcefulness and an enthusiasm for, and a commitment to, working collaboratively.

Apply with

With your application form, please send us your latest CV and a 500-word explanation of why you would like to take this course.