MA Screenwriting
MA Screenwriting is designed to enable you to develop the skills and understanding needed to work as a writer in today’s screen industries. You will gain advanced insight into the work of a screenwriter – deep understanding of screen storytelling and professional scripts, working across a variety of screen platforms and industry contexts, writing short form and feature length scripts, the writer’s role as initiator and enabler, professional working practices and employment strategies.
Specific topics range from storytelling and formatting scripts to pitching ideas and projects, from working alone, in partnership or in writers’ rooms to selling ideas to producers and editing scripts in collaboration with other creatives.
This course is validated by BIMM University and taught at BIMM University Berlin. Upon successful completion, students receive a Masters Degree from BIMM University.
Why Take the Course?
Practical: Pitch your script to a panel of industry experts, see your script performed by actors, and receive script development support from leading UK film and television production companies.
Comprehensive: Learn about writing for different platforms, including film, TV, web, and branded content.
Industry-facing: Learn from leading industry tutors and guest speakers with extensive professional experience as writers, directors, showrunners, and script developers in the screen industries*.
Real-life Experience: Write for an external client, and receive real-life screenwriting experience to improve your communication, teamworking, and pitching skills.
Portfolio: Graduate with a portfolio of content, normally including a pilot screenplay, online video scripts, outline and pitches, and a feature-length script.
Awarding body: BIMM University
Our outstanding credentials are recognised by leading higher education bodies. This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen-based industries and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.
Programme Aims
- Deep understanding of the roles and responsibilities relating to being a screenwriter for a range of screen platforms.
- The ability to produce work of increasing ambition and quality including experimentation with content and form.
- The ability to initiate, develop and deliver writing suitable for current and evolving screen industries and audiences.
- The language and understanding to articulate the role screen storytelling plays in an increasingly globalised and inclusive world.
- Practical insight into the essential role of giving and receiving feedback in the process of screenwriting.
- Advanced techniques in working with collaborators in the realisation of compelling and meaningful content.
- An ethical approach to screenwriting that demonstrates understanding of the impacts of screen content in promoting a diverse and inclusive understanding of the world.
- The ability to understand the work of colleagues and to articulate why screen practice requires true collaboration.
- Gained insight that will enable you to enter the screen industries as an enlightened and contemporary screen industry professional.
What You Will Study
Over three trimesters you will gain advanced insight into the craft of the screenwriter and the implications of creating and delivering screen content to a wide variety of audiences and contexts.
Trimester One focuses on the essence of screen storytelling and the role the writer plays in developing and crafting stories for a wide variety of forms and formats. Alongside this you will deliver a script (normally an extract from a planned feature) and explore your own qualities as you build a career profile that will develop as the course – and your understanding – increases.
In Trimester Two you will enrich your understanding through engaging with television scriptwriting and engagement on collaborative, client-facing assignments. In addition, you will develop the research and analytical skills expected in both your academic and professional practice.
In Trimester Three you will draw together your practical, theoretical and industry understanding into the creation and delivery of a long form script and refine your career plan as part of your progression into real world employment.
Course Specification
Mode of attendance: Full time
Length of course: 1 year
Awarding institution: BIMM University (UK)
Campus delivery: Berlin
Language of study: English
Credits: 90 ECTS/ 180 FHEQ (UK)
Minimum Requirements
An undergraduate degree or significant experience in a relevant vocation. Please reference the Entry Requirements webpage for additional international qualification equivalencies.
Proof of English Language proficiency is required if English is not your first language, or you have not studied at Undergraduate level in English previously. BIMM University Berlin requires equivalent to Level B2 CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Please reference our English language requirements webpage for further information.
All applicants will be subject to a portfolio review and interview with a BIMM University Berlin Lecturer. Applicants with significant demonstrable experience in a related vocation, and who do not have an existing recognised undergraduate qualification, may be considered for Recognition of Prior Certified or Experiential Learning (RPCEL).
Course Fees
We’re dedicated to giving our students the best film education possible – which means accessing our globally successful first-rate lecturers in premium locations at the heart of Germany’s film scene.
Such cutting-edge facilities can be expensive, but we make sure all BIMM University Berlin courses are great value for money – representing a practical and affordable investment for your future career in the film industry.
Please note: module names and structure may be subject to change.
The key roles and responsibilities of the contemporary screenwriter are explored from industrial, ethical, and craft perspectives. You will develop your communication skills by pitching an idea for a short form project, and you will work with other students for your first collaborative production exercise using a smartphone to make a statement.
In this module you will study the craft of feature film screenwriting, analysing key screenwriting principles including concept, character, and structure. You will receive extensive support to outline a feature film narrative and deliver a scripted first act.
You will develop authentic and detailed career paperwork and supporting materials including a CV and personal profile. As part of the module you will be offered Elective Upskilling sessions – opportunities to develop screen industry skills outside of your chosen discipline or as part of your multi-skilling profile.
Using contemporary examples from a range of digital and traditional storytelling mediums, the module will offer a greater understanding of the practice of writing for different platforms and encourage both creativity and independent critical thinking. Additionally, you will work collaboratively with students from other disciplines to produce a video artefact for an external client.
You will learn the particular skills required to succeed in long-form, serial storytelling and understand how a ‘series bible’ is developed, and then maintained, through seasons, with both single writers and multiple writers in a Writer’s Room.
Building on the work of previous and concurrent modules, you will gain a deeper insight into current theories, principles, and discussions relating to issues of diversity, sustainability and ethics within the screen industries.
Your project is an opportunity to deliver work that is distinctive, industry-aware, based in research and reflects awareness of a diverse and inclusive world. You will also present your career plan, including evidence of new skills to be assessed by industry employers and refine your career plan in preparation for entering or re-entering the screen industries on graduation.
We include a diverse range of teaching methods which include:
Productions, seminar-style group teaching, tutorials, practical group work, formative feedback through critiques, pitches, screenings, and reflective sessions, work-integrated learning, authentic assessment.
We use a wide range of assessment which include portfolios, performances, research, presentations, and reflective work.
Any questions?
For any questions regarding our courses or if you’d like more information on how to apply to BIMM University Berlin, please contact our Admissions Team on +49 (0)30 311 99 186 or email admissions@bimm-institute.de.
