Screenwriting & Playwriting
Courses
SCRP 150 Entertainment Storytelling Fundamentals 3.0 Credits
This course introduces students to the core building blocks of “story” from the perspective of the entertainment industry, where stories are produced for mediums other than literary: film, television, the stage, graphic novels, or video games. Through readings, lectures, discussions and screenings, the class delves into the unique considerations of stories created or adapted for production as visual entertainment artifacts. Analytic examinations of core story-telling differences between various mediums will also be highlighted, to give students insight in later production and studies courses in their chosen medium of expression.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
SCRP 220 Playwriting I 3.0 Credits
Introduces the basic tenets of playwriting and applies their use towards the writing of a 10-minute play.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
SCRP 225 Playwriting II 3.0 Credits
Builds on the writing tenets learned in Playwriting I. Requires students to write a one-act play.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 220 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 230 Page to Stage 3.0 Credits
Students will write a short play and then go through the rewrite process while working with a director and student actors. The final scenes will be performed in front of an audience.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 2 times for 9 credits
Prerequisites: SCRP 225 [Min Grade: C]
SCRP 241 Writing TV Comedy 3.0 Credits
Teaches the essentials of situation comedy writing for TV. Students will be expected to conceive and write their own thirty-minute pilot script plus a ‘bible’ for their show.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 242 Writing TV Drama 3.0 Credits
Teaches the essentials of writing the one-hour television drama. Students will be expected to conceive and write their own thirty-minute pilot script plus a ‘bible’ for their show.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 250 Creating Stand-up Comedy 3.0 Credits
Deals with the conception, writing and performance of a stand-up comedy routine. Includes exploration of creating a comic persona, structuring an act, construction of jokes, and aspects relating to perfromance. "Final exam" will be given before a live audience at a public venue.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
SCRP 255 Masterworks 1.0 Credit
This one-credit course will explore a single film -- of the professor’s choosing -- in depth. Our approach is to watch the film intensely in order to understand its status as a critically lauded signature film, appreciate its aesthetic accomplishment, gain insight into the director’s cinematic style and preoccupations, and, by extension, deepen our understanding of how classic cinema works.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 2 times for 3 credits
Prerequisites: FMST 101 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 260 Writing Comics 3.0 Credits
This course will introduce the student to the history, theory, language and disciplines of writing the American comic book and graphic novel. Students will learn about comic script-writing formats, the collaborative relationship between writer and artist, and techniques to strengthen both their writing and critiquing abilities.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: C]
SCRP 270 [WI] Screenwriting I 3.0 Credits
Workshop course that covers the fundamentals of writing scripts for film and television.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ENGL 101 [Min Grade: D] or ENGL 105 [Min Grade: D] or ENGL 111 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 275 [WI] Screenwriting II 3.0 Credits
Workshop course that builds on the fundamentals of screenwriting learned in Screenwriting I. Each student develops and completes a short dramatic screenplay.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 280 [WI] Writing the Short Film 3.0 Credits
This course will focus on creating scripts for films under thirty minutes in length.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 281 Writing Episodic Shorts 3.0 Credits
Writing Episodic Shorts is a course targeted primarily at Film & Television Majors with sophomore standing and above. This course will focus on creating scripts for web series under thirty minutes in length. The goal for the ten weeks is to have students develop short scripts that serve as first-draft scripts for production classes within the FMTV curriculum.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 290 Game: Universe & Story 3.0 Credits
A non-technical course which examines the differences between film & TV works vs. games and interactive fiction forms, and the creative changes inherent in translating one to the other. Emphasis given to the creation of a vibrant, seductive, logically consistent game world. Course culminates in the design of a game based on an existing work of fiction.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: C]
SCRP 295 Future of Narrative Games 3.0 Credits
Encourages students to use their knowledge of the current state of the art in gaming, and their technical and writing interests and expertise, to imagine games that go beyond those currently available. Of particular interest are ways to create branching narratives that deliver the story satisfaction and character development expected from traditional media.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: C]
SCRP 310 Literature for Screenwriters 3.0 Credits
This course provides exposure to literary traditions from the classics to pop culture, analyzing how the selected books have affected the film industry, both in terms of direct adaptations and by influencing generations of filmmakers and screenwriters.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 320 Game Development Study 3.0 Credits
This course is a close examination of a single video game studio each term. The course will look at all their current products as well as their company history to reach an understanding of their success story. Special attention will be given to the ways the company frequently differs from other video game companies and companies of similar size. Students will experience these concepts in a hands-on approach by playing through a variety of games, supported with critical classroom discussions.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 350 TV Writers' Room 3.0 Credits
Students will write episodes of an ongoing TV comedy series produced at Drexel. Following the network primetime model and working in collaboration, students will work under budget, production and deadline constraints similar to those in the real world.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 1 times for 6 credits
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: C]
SCRP 353 TV Drama Practicum 3.0 Credits
Students will write episodes of an ongoing TV drama series to be produced at Drexel. Following the network primetime model and working in collaboration, students will work under budget, production and deadline constraints similar to those in the real world.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 1 times for 6 credits
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: C]
SCRP 360 An Evening With... 3.0 Credits
Students are given the opportunity to interact with show business creative professionals, including writers, actors, directors, animators, editors and others. Guests will present their work and then discuss it in a free-form Q&A session.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
SCRP 370 Screenplay Story Development 3.0 Credits
This course provides a thorough understanding of methods used to develop story ideas from initial concept to complete screen story, including pitching, structuring, and creating treatments. Students pitch and develop several stories which can then be used to create full-length scripts in advanced workshops.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 270 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 377 Game Writing Workshop I 3.0 Credits
This course embeds Screenwriting students on a team developing a computer game from concept to design document and through production. Screenwriting majors will be expected to contribute heavily to the narrative, character and other non-technical aspects of game creation.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 290 [Min Grade: C] and SCRP 295 [Min Grade: C]
SCRP 378 Game Writing Workshop II 3.0 Credits
This course embeds Screenwriting students on a team developing a computer game from concept to design document and through production. Screenwriting majors will be expected to contribute heavily to the narrative, character and other non-technical aspects of game creation.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 377 [Min Grade: C]
SCRP 380 Screenwriting Workshop I 3.0 Credits
The first of a two-course sequence in which students write a feature film script, telefilm, or television pilot.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 1 times for 6 credits
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: SCRP 275 [Min Grade: D] or SCRP 370 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 381 Screenwriting Workshop II 3.0 Credits
The second of a two-course sequence in which students write a feature film script, telefilm, or television pilot.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 1 times for 6 credits
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: SCRP 380 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 382 Playwriting Workshop I 3.0 Credits
The first of a two-course sequence in which students write a 90-minute, two-act play.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 1 times for 6 credits
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: SCRP 225 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 383 Playwriting Workshop II 3.0 Credits
The second of a two-course sequence in which students write a 90-minute, two-act play.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 1 times for 6 credits
Prerequisites: SCRP 382 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 384 Comic/Graphic Novel Writing Workshop I 3.0 Credits
This two-term workshop will lead you through the process of developing and writing at least one draft of the script for either several issues of an original comic or a complete graphic novel. The finished script will be expected to conform to professional standards in everything from length to plot structure to formatting. You will be expected to utilize skills taught in the prerequisite course, SCRP 260 (Comic Book Writing), as well as narrative skills learned in SCRP 270 (Screenwriting I), including, but not limited to, thinking visually, establishing characters through behavior, writing effective dialogue, the basics of story structure, and related topics.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 260 [Min Grade: C]
SCRP 385 Comic/Graphic Novel Writing Workshop II 3.0 Credits
This two-term workshop will lead you through the process of developing and writing at least one draft of the script for either several issues of an original comic or a complete graphic novel. The finished script will be expected to conform to professional standards in everything from length to plot structure to formatting. You will be expected to utilize skills taught in the prerequisite course, SCRP 260 (Comic Book Writing), as well as narrative skills learned in SCRP 270 (Screenwriting I), including, but not limited to, thinking visually, establishing characters through behavior, writing effective dialogue, the basics of story structure, and related topics.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 384 [Min Grade: C]
SCRP 495 Senior Project in Dramatic Writing I 3.0 Credits
The first of a three-course sequence in which students write a feature film script, telefilm, full-length stage play, television pilot, at least two spec episodes of an existing one-hour TV drama or four of an existing TV comedy.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 381 [Min Grade: D] or SCRP 383 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 496 Senior Project in Dramatic Writing II 3.0 Credits
The second of a three-course sequence in which students write a feature film script, telefilm, television pilot, at least two spec episodes of an existing one-hour TV drama or four of an existing TV comedy.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 495 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP 497 Senior Project in Dramatic Writing III 3.0 Credits
The third of a three-course sequence in which students write a feature film script, telelfilm, full-length stage play, television pilot, at least two spec episodes of an existing one-hour TV drama or four of an existing TV comedy.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: SCRP 496 [Min Grade: D]
SCRP I199 Independent Study in Screenwriting & Playwriting 0.0-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
SCRP I299 Independent Study in Screenwriting & Playwriting 0.0-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
SCRP I399 Independent Study in Screenwriting & Playwriting 0.5-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
SCRP I499 Independent Study in Screenwriting & Playwriting 0.0-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
SCRP T180 Special Topics in Screenwriting & Playwriting 0.0-12.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
SCRP T280 Special Topics in Screenwriting & Playwriting 0.0-12.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
SCRP T380 Special Topics in Screenwriting & Playwriting 0.0-12.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
SCRP T480 Special Topics in Screenwriting & Playwriting 3.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit