Writing for the Screen and Stage Minor

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 a two-year interdisciplinary program, housed in the Department of Communication, that offers underclassmen, from all corners of the university, the unique opportunity to focus specifically on the craft of dramatic writing, and is designed for those considering writing careers in theatre, film and television.

Students who are accepted into the Minor are also eligible to participate in the program’s Long Story Shorts Play Festival, and apply for the Department of Communication Hollywood Internship Program.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR:

The MINOR is open to freshman and sophomore applicants.  Those interested in the program must have a 2.4 GPA or better, and have taken one of:  English 130 (Introduction to Fiction Writing), English 132H (Freshman Honors in Fiction Writing), Communication 330 (Introduction to Writing for Film and Television), 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 gives 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, 2023.

APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY MARCH 26, 2023 . 

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS (FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES) MUST BE ABLE TO COMMIT TO TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS IN THE PROGRAM, BEGINNING IN THE FALL OF 2023.

SUBMISSION PROCESS:

The submission package must include:

1) A 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 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 screenplay
• A one-act play
• The first 25 pages of a full-length play
• The first 25 pages of an original, drama television pilot

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

Ask your writing instructor to email his/her recommendation DIRECTLY to Professor Acosta.

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 Michael Acosta (macosta@unc.edu)
Director, Writing for the Screen and Stage minor
114 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. 

  Like UNC Writing for the Screen & Stage

Faculty

• Howard Craft
• Michael Acosta
• Nizar Wattad