MA Writing for Screen and Stage

Birkbeck, University of London

Our MA Writing for Screen and Stage supports your development as a writer across a range of forms, genres and industry contexts, including for film, TV, narrative gaming, theatre and performance. It is ideal if you are keen to work across different media as a scriptwriter who can write for both screen and the stage. Why choose this course? You will be taught by established, award-winning writers, script consultants and editors for screen and stage writing, including Daragh Carville (The Bay, Middletown and Being Human), David Eldridge (The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, Beginning, Middle, End, The Scandalous Lady W, In Basildon) and Barbara Cox. Birkbeck has a leading reputation in creative writing, screenwriting and theatre practice and teaching, with many of our graduates enjoying successful careers in these arenas. Your studies will be supported by extensive industry engagement designed to help you to progress on your career path beyond this Master’s. What you will learn You will learn how to develop scripts for screen and stage: from the conception of an idea, to the writing of a treatment, to the development of a complete script and its pitching. You will also gain an understanding of different forms, genres, histories and theories of scriptwriting and production in national and international contexts. You will learn how to research and develop writing projects individually and as part of a team. You will also learn about industry practices and expectations, drawing on central London’s wealth of companies and contacts, and how to build a career in the field. How you will learn This course is available to study full- or part-time. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening, so that you can balance studying with work and other commitments. Teaching on this course is innovative, flexible and engaging. It is conducted in small groups and one-to-one tutorials, with writing practice and script development at the heart of the course. Your final project, which allows you to develop an extended script, will be supported by one-to-one supervision and feedback. Your learning will be supported by workshops, history and theory, alongside guest lectures from industry writers and leaders, to help you to hone your craft, successfully understand the workings of the sector and find your place within it. You will also write outlines, treatments and full scripts, so you can develop a portfolio of original projects you can use to build your career.