Cambridge TECHNICALS OCR LEVEL 3 CAMBRIDGE TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE/DIPLOMA IN PERFORMING ARTS SCRIPT WRITING K/502/5364 LEVEL 3 UNIT 19 GUIDED LEARNING HOURS: 60 UNIT CREDIT VALUE: 10
SCRIPT WRITING K/502/5364 LEVEL 3 UNIT 19 AIM OF UNIT For those learners who aspire to write for stage, screen or radio or for the deviser who wishes to refine and record their ideas and dialogue on paper, this unit will encourage them all to explore and understand the specific nature of writing for a performance medium. 2
Script Writing Level 3 Unit 19 ASSESSMENT AND GRADING CRITERIA Learning Outcome (LO) Pass Merit Distinction The learner will: The assessment criteria are the pass requirements for this unit. The learner can: To achieve a merit the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass criteria, the learner is able to: To achieve a distinction the evidence must show that, in addition to the pass and merit criteria, the learner is able to: 1 Understand styles and forms of writing for performance 2 Be able to present ideas in a written format appropriate to the performance medium that can be interpreted by others P1 discuss key writing features and characteristics of different styles of writing P2 research and explore ideas and topics for scripts M1 present choice of medium and justify the selected idea for realisation 3 Be able to present ideas in a written format appropriate to the performance medium that can be interpreted by others P3 revise ideas to form a working script using script writing skills P4 present a script that is appropriate to the medium M2 run a read through/ workshop using script D1 conduct a feedback session and suggest potential developments for the script 4 Understand the effectiveness of script writing P5 evaluate the success of script writing, making some recommendations for development M3 refine script according to recommendations D2 produce a final script according to chosen medium 3
TEACHING CONTENT The unit content describes what has to be taught to ensure that learners are able to access the highest grade. Anything which follows an i.e. details what must be taught as part of that area of content. Anything which follows an e.g. is illustrative. It should be noted that where e.g. is used, learners must know and be able to apply relevant examples to their work although these do not need to be the same ones specified in the unit content. Understand styles and forms of writing for performance Learners should be aware of the fundamental differences in style, form, layout and presentation of performance scripts written for: The stage Television Radio Film. Learners should be aware of a range of performance genre including: Agit prop Murder, mystery Ghost, horror Theatre of the Absurd Historical, period drama Comedy comedy of manners, black comedy, farce Tragedy modern tragedy, classical tragedy, melodrama Kitchen Sink Theatre in Education Documentary Theatre Creative Adaptation Verbatim Learners should be aware of a variety of performance styles, including: Learners should understand the terminology and purpose of: Choice of title, exposition, stage directions, structure, subplot, subtext, prologue, epilogue, narration, monologue, duologue, soliloquy, continuity, dramatic conventions Types of character protagonist, antagonist, romantic interest, support Types of dialogue colloquial, modern, antiquated, formal, informal Sentence structure, imagery, rhythm, metre. Be able to research and explore different writing forms and topics Learners should understand the importance of good preparation, including: researching around chosen topic/idea, writing a plan, defining structure, synopsis, timeline character functions, changes, background and outline. Learners should be aware how writer s establish and develop: where, when, why, who, what, whose story, conflict, complications, crisis, catastrophe, conclusion, tension and pace. Learners should understand how to research, correlate research, apply research and including: own experience of life, family history, events from newspapers, historical events, creative adaptations, artefacts, magazine articles. Naturalism Realism Non naturalistic Physical theatre Abstract 4
Script Writing Level 3 Unit 19 Be able to present ideas in a written format appropriate to performance medium that can be interpreted by others Learners should understand how to communicate their ideas effectively, with clarity and an awareness of continuity within their chosen medium Learners should understand and experience the process of drafting, revising, reworking and editing their script How to conduct a read through/workshop based on their script Formulate questions to provoke feedback. Understand the effectiveness of script writing Learners should understand how to refine work and present final script. 5
DELIVERY GUIDANCE Understand styles and forms of writing for performance A good starting point for this unit is to take a well known play a Shakespeare play, Restoration comedy or a more modern script and compare and contrast the way the script has been interpreted by the four performance mediums. Following a discussion of the fundamental differences and approaches to the text, the learner should be encouraged to further explore the genre of Creative Adaptation and the different approaches to a particular narrative by the various mediums. Learners should be encouraged to read script extracts from a range of genres and styles and compare and contrast through both tutor and learner-led discussions, the approaches and use of a range of writing styles and conventions. Learners should be taught subject-specific terminology and its purpose. Learners should undertake either individually or in groups, written exercises based on a specific genre, e.g. Creative Adaptation, and explore the use of script conventions, e.g. exposition, prologue, epilogue etc. Outcomes should be shared and feedback given. Be able to research and explore different writing forms and topics Be able to present ideas in a written format appropriate to performance medium that can be interpreted by others Following the structured exercises, learners should be encouraged to consolidate their learning by working on an extended piece of writing for a performance within their chosen medium. Specific guidance should be given to learners regarding the collection and application of relevant research to aid their writing. Learners should be encouraged further in the process of drafting, revising and formatting their writing in readiness for a read through of their work. Learners should understand how to conduct a read through or workshop appropriate to their script. Learners should be taught how to compile and shape appropriate questions to facilitate useful feedback about their work. Understand the effectiveness of script writing Through discussion with the tutor, learners should understand how to utilise the feedback to enable them to revise their script for the final draft and presentation. Throughout the re-drafting process the tutor should be available for further feedback and guidance. Learners should be guided through more specific and in-depth exploration of various scripts, comparing and contrasting how writers interpret genre and style according to the medium. Learners should continue to undertake bite size writing exercises based on genres and styles. These should be presented on a regular basis and feedback given accordingly both by tutor and peers. Following feedback, learners should be guided through the process of revising and redrafting their written work. Learners should be encouraged to pursue an interest in writing for a particular medium and guided through the process and purpose of collecting and collating appropriate research material for their chosen medium. 6
Script Writing Level 3 Unit 19 SUGGESTED ASSESSMENT SCENARIOS AND GUIDANCE ON ASSESSMENT Learners should keep a compendium of all the writing exercises and drafts they undertake throughout the unit. This compendium should be organised to show the journey that the learner has taken through the unit and be available for the moderator. Learners should also provide a 15 20 minute script, presented and formatted as appropriate to their chosen medium. Assessment and Grading Criteria P1 Learners will take responsibility for presenting to the group/tutor two contrasting excerpts of text from different mediums, genres or styles and instigate the discussion as to the key features and different styles of writing employed. Learners should include a minimum of two writing exercises within their compendium which show a good understanding of how the learner has developed their understanding of key concepts of script writing and further demonstrates an understanding of how the learner has responded to feedback through the revising and redrafting of work. Assessment and Grading Criteria P2, M1 For P2 learners should provide within their compendium evidence of research and an initial but detailed outline of their ideas for an extended piece of script writing. To gain M1 learners should provide justification of their chosen medium, genre, style, topic and a brief synopsis. Their ideas should be presented to tutor and peers. Assessment and Grading Criteria P3, P4, M2, D1 For P3 learners will provide clear evidence within their compendium of the process they undertook to write their script; this should include all drafts and revisions following feedback. To gain P4 the learner will provide a completed script of the correct length, a copy of which will be included within their compendium. For M2 the learner will prepare and conduct a workshop/ read-through of their script. To obtain D1, following the read-through, the learner will conduct an appropriate feedback session. The tutor will monitor and evaluate the learner s approach and application of the tasks and provide written evidence of their conclusions, which should be available for the moderator. Assessment and Grading Criteria P5, M3, D2 For P5 the learner will, through discussion with the tutor, articulate their development ideas. To obtain M3 they will refine and develop their script. For D2 learners will provide a correctly formatted copy of the finished script including a cover page. The script will be assessed by the tutor as to its performance potential and marked/annotated accordingly. The final script and compendium of work should be available for the moderator to read. 7
RESOURCES A selection of scripts from the four performance mediums Rooms and equipment appropriate to the requirements of the unit www.robinkelly.btinternet.co.uk www.writersstore.com/how-to-write-a-screenplay-a-guide-to-scriptwriting www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom www.howto.co.uk/writing/how-to-write-for-television Books Writing for Film Darsie Bowden Routledge 978-080584258-6 Writing for the Stage Leroy Clark Pearson 978-0205412976 Writing your First Play Roger A Hall Focal Press 978-0240802909 Writing for Radio Shaun MacLoughlin How to Books 978-1857036855 Writing for Radio: a Practical Guide Annie Caulfield Crowood Press 978-1847970954 Essentials of Screenwriting Richard Walter Plume 978-0452296275 Complete Book of Script Writing J.M Straczynski Writers Digest Books 978-1582971582 LINKS TO NOS CCSCA 11 The use of feedback in the effective performance of teams and individuals CCSCA 8 Obtain and use research information 8
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