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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 UNC 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 instructions for WSS Minor: Due 03/01/2025

Before midnight on 3/1/25, students must email the following to goodwinj@unc.edu:

  1. A one-paragraph statement of interest (attached as a PDF, with your full name in the title). Simply put: Why are you applying to the WSS minor? Below your statement of interest, include a list of any prior writing courses you have taken at UNC or elsewhere, including any kind of creative writing or journalism.
  2. A screenwriting sample of 10-15 pages (attached as a PDF, with your full name in the title). Please cut the sample off at a natural break point. This sample must be in screenplay format. It can be an adaptation of your own fiction, but it must take the form of a screenplay, and be formatted correctly. There are ample screenwriting formatting resources on the web. For free screenwriting software, one option is WriterDuet.
  3. Ask any professor who knows you well to email a one-paragraph recommendation to goodwinj@unc.edu. This recommendation should address your suitability for a small, collaborative cohort and for rigorous coursework. In addition, if the professor knows you as a writer, they might provide their assessment of your strongest qualities as a writer.

CURRICULUM (FOR FALL ’25 COHORT)

Fall Semester of FIRST Year

COMM 131: Introduction to Writing for the Screen and Stage

COMM 335: Film Story Analysis OR DRAM 120: Play Analysis

Spring Semester of FIRST Year

COMM 433: Intermediate Screenwriting

Fall Semester of SECOND Year

COMM 537: Master Screenwriting

At any time during your UNC career

ONE ADDITIONAL SCREENWRITING ELECTIVE:

  • COMM 330: Intro to Writing for TV & Film
  • COMM 334: Writing the One-Hour TV Drama
  • COMM 337: Visual Storytelling
  • COMM 390: Writing the Half-Hour Comedy
  • COMM 390: Writing for Actors
  • COMM 390: Sketch Writing
  • COMM 490: Writing the Podcast
  • COMM 535: Screen Adaptation
  • COMM 600: The Re-Write

Faculty

Michael Acosta

Michael Acosta

 Bobby Bowman

 Howard Craft

 Joy Goodwin

 

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. 

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