First Steps in Script Writing
offered by Oxford University

Public University
1 Campus
Estd. 1096

First Steps in Script Writing
at
Oxford University
Overview

This course will encourage imaginative use of key learning in focused but creatively playful ways

Duration	1 week
Total fee	₹74,000
Mode of learning	Online
Course Level	UG Certificate

First Steps in Script Writing
at
Oxford University
Highlights

Earn a certificate of completion from Oxford university

First Steps in Script Writing
at
Oxford University
Course details

What are the course deliverables?

Why good drama should aim to do more than 'just-entertain, and how it does this
Key principles of plotting, world building and the roles of characters in telling the story
What dialogue does
How action can deliver narrative and how it is written into a script
How to edit their own work to deliver its full dramatic potential

More about this course

The course can be seen as a complete, one-off exploration of script writing, or a key step towards an on-going script writing practice
This course will be a high quality, whistle stop tour through the key skills and techniques you would need if you were planning to write a stage, screen or audio drama
It can also be enjoyed by anyone who wants to extend their understanding of drama as an audience member, and although writing script is the core part of the classes, this does not need to be seen in the context of 'becoming a writer': becoming a more informed and curious audience member through exploring what dramatists do is also a good outcome
Indeed a combination of students who are focused on becoming dramatists or are curious about script writing as a creative practice, and others who want to know how the dramas they enjoy as audience are constructed, would be a very rich mix
This course aims to give students of all levels of writing experience and ability an insight into the essential skills and techniques used to create original and compelling drama for stage, screen or audio

First Steps in Script Writing
at
Oxford University
Curriculum

Session 1

Why would I buy a ticket for that!?

Session 2

Who What Why Where When? - The first steps

Session 3

The one big idea to take away when the story ends

Session 4

Story design

Session 5

Creating compelling characters

Session 6

What's normal in the world of the drama?

Session 7

A writing brief: planning the story

Session 8

What dialogue does

Session 9

How action replaces words

Session 10

A writing brief: drafting a scene extract

Session 11

Editing for pace and focus

Session 12

Sharing of scripts and plenary

First Steps in Script Writing
at
Oxford University
Faculty details

Mr Shaun McCarthy

Shaun McCarthy has had over a dozen stage plays professionally produced and a range of radio dramas broadcast. His adaptations include JM Synge’s ‘The Aran Islands’ (BBC R4 Classic Serial), a stage version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ that was a critique of David Cameron’s ‘big society’ and had a happy, unexpected ending; and a re-set of Strindberg’s ‘Miss Julie’ to Oxford 1963.