Module Identifier TFM1860  
Module Title WRITING PORTFOLIO  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Ms Janet Jones  
Semester Semester 3 (Summer)  
Other staff Terence F Bailey, Mr Royston D C Martin  
Pre-Requisite TFM1530  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Outline/Series Bible/or comparable30%
Semester Assessment Script(s)60%
Semester Assessment Critical Reflection10%
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:


Content

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

  1. An exploration and analysis of the best way to approach appropriate research methodology.
  2. An investigation of research sources and how best to exploit these.
  3. A critical reflection of the intended 'audience'.
  4. Structuring the necessary elements in advance of the first draft.
  5. The importance of re-writing and re-drafting all work.
  6. 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.
  7. Commercial application of the writing portfolio (career progression).

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.

Aims

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
Binchy, Maeve (2005) The Writer's and Artist's Yearbook A & C Black
Dyja, Eddie (ed) (2005) BFI Film ans Television Handboook 2005
Friedmann, Julian (1995) How to Make Money Scriptwriting Boxtree
Langham, Josephine Lights, Camera, Action: Careers in Film and Television and Video BFI Publishing
Trottier, D., (1998) The Screenwriter's Bible: a complete guide to writing, formatting and selling your script Sillman-James
Turner, B. (ed) (2004) The Writer's Handbook Macmillan (Annual)
A. The reading list will be largely cutomised depeding on the specific subject area.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7