TFM1860 - WRITING PORTFOLIO

Module Identifier

TFM1860

Module Title

WRITING PORTFOLIO

Academic Year

2005/2006

Co-ordinator

Ms Janet Jones

Semester

Semester 3 (Summer)

Other staff

Mr Royston D C Martin, Terence F Bailey

Pre-Requisite

TFM1530

Course delivery

Seminars / Tutorials

Minimum of 4 tutorials, maximum of 6. These will be on an individual basis and last from 90 minutes-2 hours

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Script(s)	60%
Semester Assessment	Critical Reflection	10%
Semester Assessment	Outline/Series Bible/or comparable	30%
Supplementary Assessment	Resubmission of writing portfolio, ideas notebook etc. Resit of above when necessary and in accordance with the conditions and timetable set by the university.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

Demonstrate an advanced level of writing skill in their chosen specialty (Radio Drama, screen writing, television drama etc.)
Effectively deconstruct the writing process and be able to identify the research parameters for each project.
Work independently on a substantial piece of creative writing, take editorial criticism and direction.
Demonstrate a fully formed understanding of the intended marketplace and audience for the work.

Brief description

Students will specialise in one genre or format, building on the structures they have learned in Semester One and the research they have carried out in Semester Two. This module requires students to apply all that they have learned to produce a substantial portfolio of professional-quality writing. In the case of students in the Film strand, this will consist of an Outline and full script for a feature film. For students in the Broadcast strand, this may consist of a Series Bible for an originally-conceived series, and one or more episode scripts. Students will explore a variety of working methods, and will be evaluated in terms of both process and product exploring complex issues within their writing discipline.
A portfolio proposal will be submitted before the Easter Break so an appropriate supervisor can be assigned.

Content

The specific content will depend largely on the student's chosen subject of specialty. The following elements will underpin all tutorials.

An exploration and analysis of the best way to approach appropriate research methodology.
An investigation of research sources and how best to exploit these.
A critical reflection of the intended 'audience'.
Structuring the necessary elements in advance of the first draft.
The importance of re-writing and re-drafting all work.
Specific feedback on the stages of writing from outline, to draft to final submission. Including: ideas notebooks, identification of character and place, story outlines etc.
Commercial application of the writing portfolio (career progression).

Aims

This module will develop the students' understanding of the practice of media writing pertinent to their chosen field of specialty while demonstrating a systematic awareness of the practical mode in which they are working. The module allows students to apply the information they compiled in Semester Two's Research Project. (Genre, Individual Research) and requires that they are able to critically analyse their own work in relation to the classical models supplied. They are not expected to follow any particular structure slavishly, but are encouraged to draw from the templates studied and defend their decisions.
Students will develop a final, substantial, professionally developed piece of writing. The writing produced will depend on their strand (Film or Broadcast) and their chosen genre or format.
Students will be matched with an appropriate supervisor and required to work independently with regular tutorials.

Module Skills

Problem_solving	Creating the research proposal and identifying key research applications
Research skills	Development of a coherent research strategy
Communication	Developed through contact with potential publishers/producers/employers
Improving own Learning and Performance	Development of creative writing skills and original project design
Information Technology	Use of web-based research developed
Personal Development and Career planning	This is integrated into the portfolio proposal and it is expected that students will be able to use their writing to aid in the development of their chosen careers.
Subject Specific Skills	Development of creative writing skills applicable to the media.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
A. The reading list will be largely cutomised depeding on the specific subject area.
Friedmann, Julian (1995) How to Make Money Scriptwriting Boxtree
Turner, B. (ed) (2004) The Writer's Handbook Macmillan (Annual)
Binchy, Maeve (2005) The Writer's and Artist's Yearbook A & C Black
Langham, Josephine Lights, Camera, Action: Careers in Film and Television and Video BFI Publishing
Dyja, Eddie (ed) (2005) BFI Film ans Television Handboook 2005
Trottier, D., (1998) The Screenwriter's Bible: a complete guide to writing, formatting and selling your script Sillman-James

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7