SCPT 2900 Scriptwriting (3)

Focuses on understanding and developing story, character, structure and style used in scriptwriting. Specific genres studied will include commercial television, episodic series for Internet/Broadcast, unscripted series (reality), script for continuing series (comedy and drama), documentary television and narrative feature. Prerequisite: MEDC 1050.

SCPT 3110 Script Analysis (3)

Students learn the elements of a screenwriter's craft by studying scripts. The course focuses on how scriptwriters develop engaging and believable characters, how they build conflict, how they create and build tension and suspense, and how they write effective dialogue. Prerequisite: SCPT 2900 OR permission of the instructor.

SCPT 3150 Topics (3)

These courses are offered periodically to feature topics in scriptwriting not covered by regularly offered courses. May be repeated for credit, if content differs. Prerequisite may vary with topic.

SCPT 3400 Television Scriptwriting (3)

Analyzing successful current and classic television series, students learn the basic principles of writing for television drama and comedy. The course examines the structure of television genres, including situation comedies, dramatic programs, and made-for-TV movies. Other topics include: characterization, pacing, scene construction, dialogue, and action. The final project consists of writing a television script. Prerequisite: SCPT 2900.

SCPT 3500 Writing Screenplays for Film (3)

Students learn the essential elements of a successful script for a feature film, including how to structure an effective narrative, how to create engaging characters, how to develop and maintain suspense and tension, and how to engage an audience's emotional response. Students will write a finished script for the first act of a feature film. Prerequisite: SCPT 2900 or for film majors only, FILM 2320.

SCPT 4090 Screenplay Development (3)

Students learn the development of the screenplay, including script proposals, adaptation of scripts from other material, and the process of revising screenplays. Prerequisite: SCPT 3500.

SCPT 4400 Advanced Television Scriptwriting: Genres (3)

Each section of this course focuses on one specific television genre (i.e., situation comedy, domestic drama, science fiction, daytime drama). Students learn the structure of the genre as well as conventions, plot, pacing, dialogue, and characterization. Students will write and revise scripts suitable to the genre. May be repeated for credit if the genre differs. Prerequisite: SCPT 3400.

SCPT 4500 Advanced Scriptwriting (3)

An advanced course that focuses on narrative techniques and stylistic considerations involved in scriptwriting. Students work on projects, culminating in the completion of finished feature-length screenplays. Prerequisite: SCPT 3500. May be repeated for credit.