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Writing for the Screen and Stage Minor

Dramatic storytelling is a complex craft that profoundly influences individuals and societies. The Minor in Writing for the Screen and Stage is a two-year interdisciplinary program housed in the Department of Communication. For students considering writing and related careers in theatre, film, and television, WSS offers a unique opportunity to focus on developing their craft. 

Students who are accepted into the Minor are also eligible to participate in staged readings of their work and to apply for the summer-long  Department of Communication Hollywood Internship Program. 

 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR: 

The MINOR is open to first-year students and sophomores.  To apply, you must: 

1) have a 2.4 GPA or better, and 

2) have taken one of the following:  English 130 (Introduction to Fiction Writing), English 132H (Freshman Honors in Fiction Writing), Communication 330 (Introduction to Writing for Film and Television), Communication 337 (Visual Storytelling), Drama 231 (Playwriting I), or  English 306 (Playwriting). 

English 130 is open to any student at the University.  English 132H is restricted to honor students.  COMM 330 and 337 give preference to COMM majors, so instructor permission may be required to enroll.  Drama 231 requires permission from the department. 

In certain instances, the pre-requisite may be waived upon approval of the program’s director. 

 

THE APPLICATION PERIOD RUNS FROM FEBRUARY 1st TO MARCH 1st, 2024. 

APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY MARCH 22, 2024.  

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS (FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS AND SOPHOMORES) MUST BE ABLE TO COMMIT TO TWO CONSECUTIVE  YEARS IN THE PROGRAM, BEGINNING IN THE FALL OF  2024.

 

SUBMISSION PROCESS: 

The submission package must include: 

1) A one-page, single-spaced cover letter, expressing the reasons for the student’s interest in the minor.  Please also include, as listed: 

  • 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 ten-page writing sample or excerpt from an original work of fiction, screenwriting, or playwriting.

 

Please email your cover letter & writing sample to:  Writing for the Screen & Stage Director, Professor Joy Goodwin (goodwinj@unc.edu). 

Ask your writing instructor to email their recommendation  DIRECTLY  to Professor Goodwin.

 

CURRICULUM 

Fall Semester of FIRST Year 

COMM 131/DRAM 131: Introduction to Writing for the Screen and Stage 

DRAM 120: Play Analysis 

Spring Semester of FIRST Year 

COMM 430: History of American Screenwriting 

COMM 433: Intermediate Screenwriting 

Fall Semester of SECOND Year 

COMM 537: Master Screenwriting 

  

COMM/DRAM 131, COMM 433 AND COMM 537 MUST BE TAKEN IN CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS  BEGINNING WITH YOUR FIRST SEMESTER IN THE MINOR. 

  

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

COMM 535: Introduction to Screen Adaptation 

DRAM 135: Acting for Non-Majors 

COMM 337: Visual Storytelling 

COMM 390: Writing the Full-Length Play 

COMM 390: Screenwriting: The Rewrite 

 

For additional information, contact:

Professor Joy Goodwin (goodwinj@unc.edu)
Director, Writing for the Screen and Stage minor
300C Bynum Hall
Department of Communication  

CB #3285 

 

More information about the minor’s activities can be found on the Writing for the Screen and Stage Facebook page. 

fb  Like UNC Writing for the Screen & Stage

 

 

Faculty 

  • Joy Goodwin