Course Overview

Do you have a passion for creative writing and storytelling? Do you want to write screenplays for television and film? Our MA Screenwriting course is for anyone who wants to develop their writing voice and learn the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in this sector.

During your time on this course you’ll study at our Pinewood Studios base, putting you right at the heart of not only the hustle and bustle of a working studio, but also one of the UK’s most important creative communities.

Why study this subject?

The Creative Industries employ over 2 million people in the UK and were projected to create an additional one million jobs by 2050. In the last ten years, jobs in the UK’s Creative Industries have grown at three times the UK average.

Increased industry demand means employers need graduates with practical skills and hands-on experience. You could turn your passion for screenwriting into a rewarding and successful career with the right teaching and hands on learning experiences.

Why study at BNU?

Not only has this course been designed with industry needs in mind, it is also led and taught by top professionals and lecturers who have years of experience in their field, training future generations and writing and producing award-winning films and TV shows.

Our hand-picked team of experienced professionals are eager to pass on their expertise to the next generation of budding screenwriters. With their support and insider knowledge, you’ll graduate with the skills the industry is looking for.

You will learn:

• How to write an effective treatment and TV Bible
• How to pitch ideas to producers
• The art of designing narrative structures
• How to write engaging characters
• The art of writing effective dialogue
• How to deal with agents and producers
• Techniques to overcome the challenges of rewriting and responding to notes.
• How to survive in the industry as a freelance writer

What will I study?

On this course you will obtain a practical understanding of the skills required to produce and assess industry-standard scripts for films and High End TV (HETV).

In a series of carefully designed workshops you will be guided through this difficult and daunting process. The breaks down the intimidating task of writing a script into a number of helpful tasks to make the process more manageable.

You will develop advanced research skills to demonstrate a systematic understanding of narrative techniques and their application for the development of your own projects and you will work collaboratively to produce a 55 page pilot for HETV as well as a 90-page feature film screenplay.

This course will also deal with the pitching, overcoming the dreaded writers block and the practicalities of being a freelance writer, getting and dealing with agents and will introduce students to valuable networking strategies.

How will I be taught and assessed?

You will receive feedback from lecturers and industry professionals, who will assess your screenplays commercial and artistic suitability for both UK and international markets. You will also benefit from having your screenplays reviewed by professional screenwriters with extensive experience in the European and global market.

What are my career prospects?

After you leave BNU, you might start as a freelance scriptwriter for film or tv, or write content for the web. When you leave, you’ll feel confident in working with industry standard kit and will feel prepared for your first role within the industry.