Celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2013!

Below is updated information regarding the Writing for the Screen and Stage Minor.  The UNC Bulletin currently reflects an outdated version and will be officially updated in the fall of 2013.

We are living in a world in which dramatic content has an increasing effect on our lives.  The minor in Writing for the Screen and Stage is an interdisciplinary program, created in 2003 to draw upon the faculties and resources of the Department of Communication Studies, the Department of Dramatic Art and the Creative Writing Program of the Department of English and Comparative Literature.  It offers undergraduate students from the Arts and Sciences the unique opportunity to focus specifically on the craft of dramatic writing and is designed for those considering writing careers in theatre, film, television or the web.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

The MINOR is open to freshman and sophomore students.  Those interested in the program must have a 2.4 GPA or better, and have taken either English 130 (Introduction to Fiction Writing), English 132H (Freshman Honors in Fiction Writing), Communication Studies 330 (Introduction to Writing for Film and Television) or Drama 231 (Playwriting I).

English 130 is open to any student at the University.  English 132H is restricted to honor students.  COMM 330 gives preference to COMM majors, so instructor permission may be required to enroll.  Drama 231 requires permission from the department.

These pre-requisites may be waived based upon the recommendation of an appropriate writing instructor and the submission of written material (see below).   Examples would include students having taken a writing workshop or comparable courses elsewhere

SUBMISSION PROCESS:

The submission package must include:

1) A cover letter including….

• Student’s name
• PID #
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Major/Minor
• Intended year of graduation
• Prerequisite status

2) A letter of recommendation from the student’s writing instructor

3) One writing sample chosen from the following list….

• A short story
• The first chapter of a novel
• A short screenplay
• The first 25 pages of a feature-length film script
• A one-act play
• The first 25 pages of a full-length play
• The first 25 pages of an original television pilot (one hour drama)

Please email the above material to Professor Dana Coen (rcoen@unc.edu) between February 2 and March 2, 2013.

Applicants will be notified by March 23, 2013.

CURRICULUM

Fall Semester of JUNIOR (or SOPHOMORE) Year
COMM 131/DRAM 131: Introduction to Writing for the Screen and Stage
DRAM 120: Play Analysis

Spring Semester of JUNIOR (or SOPHOMORE) Year
COMM 430: History of American Screenwriting
COMM 433: Intermediate Screenwriting

Fall Semester of SENIOR (or JUNIOR) Year
COMM 537: Master Screenwriting

The following courses are recommended but are not required to complete the minor

DRAM 331: Playwriting II

COMM 535: Introduction to Film Adaptation

COMM 334: Writing the One-Hour TV Drama

DRAM 135: Acting for Non Majors

COMM 332: Film Story Analysis

CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN SUCCESSIVE COURSES IN THE MINOR IS BASED ON THE STUDENT’S WORK AND THE SUPPORT OF THE STUDENT’S INSTRUCTORS.

For additional information, please contact Professor Dana Coen at rcoen@unc.edu.