Screenwriting Subconcentration

Where Screenwriters are the Stars and Where Star Screenwriters Teach!

 

The Department of Screen Arts & Cultures (SAC) offers undergraduate SAC concentrators who demonstrate a special talent for writing for the screen a Screenwriting sub-concentration.   The Screenwriting sub-concentration is not a major or a minor.  The Screenwriting sub-concentration is a credential that goes on the student's transcript like an Honors credential.   

Entrance into the Screenwriting sub-concentration is highly selective. This merit-based credential is for a SAC concentrator who was recommended by their SAC 310 instructor into SAC 410: Screenwriting II: The Rewrite and has completed SAC 410 with a B- or better. 

Screenwriting 310: Writing of a Feature-Length Screenplay

Students interested in the Screenwriting sub-concentration must be SAC concentrator and have taken SAC 290: Introduction to Media Production, AND SAC 309: The Screenplay as Literature.  SAC 309 is REQUIRED of those who wish to apply for the Screenwriting sub-concentration and should be taken before a student enrolls in SAC 310-Screenwriting I: The Feature Script. We recommend that SAC 309 be taken simultaneously with SAC 290. After successful completion of SAC 290 and SAC 309, students interested in the Screenwriting sub-concentration start with the gateway Screenwriting course SAC 310.   

SAC 310 - Screenwriting I: The Feature Script requires a student to complete a feature-length (90-120 pages) screenplay in the proper format by the end of the term. Upon completion of the course, the SAC 310 instructor reviews each student's work and recommends selected students from their 310 class to move up to SAC 410 - Screenwriting II: The Rewrite. 

Success in SAC 310 determines if a student advances to SAC 410-Screenwriting II: The Rewrite and on to becoming a Screenwriting sub-concentrator.

Tips for success in SAC 310:

1) successful completion of SAC 309: The Screenplay as Literature 

2) strong creative writing skills (grammar, punctuation, and spelling)

3) walk into class with a few ideas for development into a feature-length screenplay

4) class attendance and participation 

5) professionalism and originality of  the feature-length screenplay

 

 

Screenwriting Subconcentration Course Pathway

Requirements for the SAC Screenwriting Subconcentration

1) SAC Concentrator

2) SAC 309 - Screenplay as Literature: B or better

3) SAC 310 - Screenwriting I: The Feature Script: Recommendation by SAC 310 Instructor and acceptance into SAC 410.

4) SAC 410 - Screenwriting II: The Rewrite: B- or better

5) ONE of the following courses:
SAC 311 - Writing for Television I: The Spec Script
SAC 423- Practicum for the Screenwriter/Dramatic Narrative III (only if you are selected as on of the two screenwriters in the course.)
SAC 427- Screenwriting III

After successful completion of SAC 410 with a B- or better, the SAC concentrator may apply for the screenwriting sub-concentration.  The student should contact the Coordinator of Screenwriting to state their interest in applying to the subconcentration.  Final approval for the Screenwriting sub-concentration is based on the student’s acceptance and successful completion of either SAC 427 or SAC 423 (only if you are selected as one of the two screenwriters for the course), or SAC 311.

 

 

Screenwriting Resources

The Screenwriting Program offers amazing resources to inspire, enhance, and develop a student's potential in writing for the screen. Screen Arts & Cultures’ Donald Hall Collection contains a vast treasure of screenplays, TV scripts, and DVDs from historic eras to present day and both domestic and international.  The James Gindin Visiting Artists series hosts industry professional screenwriters and filmmakers to provide Screen Arts majors unique viewpoints for deepening their knowledge of writing and the Film & TV Industry.  These resources help make writing for the screen an area of excellence within the SAC major.