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Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Screenwriting Workshop

Screenwriting Workshop
4
9489
3
First semester
op
Film Creation
Taller de guión
Main language of instruction: Spanish

Other languages of instruction: Catalan

Teaching staff


 

For queries and questions, please contact the professor at soliva@uic.es

Introduction

In the 'Screenwriting Workshop' course, students will understand the key elements of screenwriting, learn how the profession works, and put it into practice by writing their own short film script.

The workshop encourages active student participation, with writing starting from day one. In this way, all theoretical concepts taught are consolidated through the student's own experience.

Pre-course requirements

  • Interest in writing and the audiovisual sector.
  • Ability to conceive, create, and develop stories.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Critical thinking and interest in social issues.
  • Professionalism and punctuality

Objectives

  • Acquire the necessary knowledge to analyze and write fiction screenplays.
  • Understand the workings of the industry and production processes, as well as the different roles and teams involved in creating a fictional audiovisual work.
  • Learn to develop a unique perspective on the stories we want to tell.
  • Develop a short film project through to the first drafted draft of the script and pitch documents.

Learning outcomes of the subject

Achieve the learning objectives set out for the course.

Syllabus

 

The syllabus is structured following the steps of the creative process. First, students work on the gestation of the idea and theme, studying the specific characteristics of the screenplay. Additionally, the course analyses how the sector works and current narrative trends in the industry. Next, students build characters alongside their respective transformation arcs. Finally, the focus shifts to storylines, script structure, scene design, and dialogue writing.

Teaching and learning activities

In person



LEARNING ACTIVITY ECTS CREDITS

Coaching: Individual or small-group monitoring of how students assimilate the course content. In coaching sessions, errors will be corrected, questions clarified, and necessary exercises and activities proposed to achieve the set objectives.

0.6

Focused praxis: Periodic and individual submission of exercises to learn theory through practice. Each exercise will aim to acquire specific knowledge tailored to the individual student, as well as to address particular learning gaps. seminars: this activity consists of an in-depth, monographic study of specific topics—some of high current relevance, socially debated—through active work in small groups.

0.4

Meeting points: gathering points will be organized between personalities from the professional, scientific, international fields, etc., and students. These will take the form of lectures, working sessions, panel discussions, interviews, etc.

0.2

Workshop (Taller): an eminently practical workspace in which competencies are acquired (observable and customary behaviors leading to successful performance of a function or task) belonging to practical or theoretical subjects (intellectual, logical, critical abilities, intellectual learning, study, citation, etc.).

1.0

Lectures: in lectures, the instructor not only transmits content or knowledge but also, and above all, attitudes, motivation, skills, values, etc. The instructor also encourages participants to express their opinions and arguments in front of their peers.

1.2

Peer learning: This activity aims to develop students' analytical and critical thinking skills. One way to achieve this is by evaluating exercises, products, etc., of their peers. Each student will receive a dual evaluation: as a recipient and as a provider of critical knowledge.

0.6

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person



The course is based on continuous assessment. The final grade will be calculated as follows:

  • Attendance, course exercises, and class participation (40%).

  • Final submission of the first draft of the short film script and the presentation dossier (60%).

Assessment criteria for the second resit examination period Students taking the second resit examination period must individually conceive and develop an original short film script project. The following documents must be submitted:

  • Dramatic Idea, Theme, and Thesis of the chosen story.

  • Treatment / Synopsis.

  • Outline / Beat sheet.

  • First draft of the script with dialogue.

  • Presentation Dossier.

Third and subsequent calls requires retaking the course.

Bibliography and resources

BALLÓ, JORDI; PÉREZ, XAVIER | La llavor immortal. Els arguments universals en el cinema (Barcelona: Editorial Empúries, 1995) 

DE ROSENDO, TERESA; GATELL, JOSEP | Objetivo writers’ room. Las aventuras de dos guionistas españoles en Hollywood (Barcelona: Alba Editorial, 2015) 

FOLCH BOT, FERRAN | Ficció. Com crear, vendre i escriure una sèrie (Barcelona: Guionistes Associats de Catalunya, 2019) 

MCKEE, ROBERT | El guion. Sustancia, estructura, estilo y principios de la escritura de guiones (Barcelona: Alba, 2002) 

SÁNCHEZ-MARÍN, JUAN CARLOS | El guion hablado. Conversaciones con guionistas y directores del siglo XXI (Barcelona: Editorial Fundación Taller de Guionistas, 2011) 

SEGER, LINDA | Cómo convertir un buen guion en un guion excelente (Madrid: Ediciones Rialp, 1995) 

VOGLER, CHRIS | El viaje del escritor (Barcelona: Manontropo, 2002) 

Teaching and learning material