Teaching Scriptwriting, Screenplays and Storyboards for Film and TV Production

by Mark Readman

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Cover Image: Scriptwriting, Screenplays and Storyboards for Film and TV Production

This practical guide provides everything you need to introduce scriptwriting to your students, and establishes the basis for a high standard of coursework for Film or Media Studies. The guide demonstrates how scriptwriting, screenplays and storyboarding can be valuable both in the production context and as a way of engaging with key aspects of the media or film studies curriculum, with accessible reference to key critical and theoretical writing.

Contents include:

  • Introduction: assessment context; why teach screenwriting and storyboards; how to use this guide; schemes of work; teaching tips.
  • Essential terms and concepts: terminology; screenplay format; the Three Act Story Structure.
  • Screenplay basics: story structure; story types; character; dialogue
  • Storyboard basics: format; shot types; sequencing.
  • Planning a project: planning, categorising and structuring a story; developing a treatment and pitch; sequencing a script and designing storyboard.

About the author

Mark Readman is a Programme Manager in Media Production at Bridgwater College. He has more than ten years' experience in media education, has moderated A level Media Studies production work at senior level and is currently an Assessor for an English awarding body. In addition he has pursued an interest in screenplays which has involved writing script reports for BBC TV and developing ideas for the screen, one of which was short-listed in a Channel 4 competition.

Ordering information

  • Catalogue no: BR050 £24.95

Buy online from the BFI Filmstore or phone Palgrave Macmillan Orders on 01256 302866.

Additional resources

This book is supported with a range of online resources, including student handouts. View a free sample worksheet (PDF, 263kb).

To download the student worksheets for Teaching Scriptwriting, Screenplays and Storyboards for Film and TV Production please login using the username and password issued when you purchased a copy of the teaching guide.

This section also includes:

  • Glossary
  • Appendix

A VHS of the film Joyride, costs £15 (inc VAT) and can be obtained by calling 0870 241 3764. Quote reference number: BR050V.

The new BBC Good Shooting Guide has been devised for training their own staff, but provides some great advice for anyone who wants to learn how to make films. It's free, but you will need broadband and Flash 7 to make the most of it.

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Last Updated: 06 Feb 2008