Explore UCD

UCD Home >

DRAM40540

Academic Year 2024/2025

Pilot Project (DRAM40540)

Subject:
Drama Studies
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
English, Drama & Film
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Ashley Taggart
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

In this practice-based module, students will build upon their understanding of the craft and business of screenwriting introduced in DRAM40050 Writing for Screen. Students will draft, develop and complete a 25-page screenplay, supervised by the Creative Futures Academy Screenwriter-in-Residence. These supervisions will simulate and so prepare students for professional script development and script-editing processes. Workshops with producers and writers currently working in film and television will help students develop their career trajectory beyond the MA. Attendance at screenings in the Trapdoor Theatre followed by seminars will give students insights into the micro-detail of screenplay style and affect. Small-scale research projects will allow students to become familiar with aspects of screen production.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By undertaking this module, students will:
• Develop a screenplay through intensive mentoring;
• Engage with industry practice and audience engagement;
• Research, and experiment with, practical elements of screen production.

Indicative Module Content:

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

176

Seminar (or Webinar)

24

Total

200


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module aims to enhance screenwriters' practical repertoire. Existing skills in interpreting feedback and promoting one's work are built upon through one-on-one script editing. Portfolio skills are developed through the practice element.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Individual Project: Practice-as-research
Students complete a practical exercise in one of the following practical disciplines: Sound, Vision, Editing, VFX. The practical output will answer a research question.
Week 12 Graded No
25
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Reflection
Students write up the practice-as-research assignment, detailing their research process and findings.
Week 14 Graded No
25
No
Assignment(Including Essay): Screenplay (50%)
Students will write a 25-page screenplay for an original TV/drama/sitcom. Each submission must be accompanied by a one-pager and outline of further episodes in the series.

Week 15 Graded No
50
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback during drafting process and after examination.

Name Role
Mr Mark O'Halloran Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Nicolas Pillai Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Ashley Taggart Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 16:00 - 17:50