MA in scriptwriting

[badhorsey]

I'm very interested in studying for an MA in scriptwriting, and have seen a couple that look very promising. There is one for writing for screen & stage offered by Regents College in London and another in DeMontfort in Leicester. The latter is purely TV-based, which I think would suit me better, but I'm based in London and have to factor the transport into it.

Has anyone taken either of these? Are there any other similar courses? I'd love to hear any stories or opinions...

Thanks!

[wolf63]

Do you have experience of writing at a professional level? I am always suspicious about this type of course - it looks good but I am not at all familiar with the college.


What about trying RADA http://www.rada.ac.uk/ to see if they have a course that suits you.

You have probably already looked at this site but it is usually a good site to start with http://www.hotcourses...EATER+LONDON/page.htm

Good luck

[Buenchico]

Regent's College is a private college and, as such, its degrees are likely to be regarded by UK media professionals as totally worthless.

De Montfort University, however, is the successor to Leicester Polytechnic, with a much higher academic standing. Even so, I can't think of any reason (other than personal accomplishment) why anyone would seek a degree in scriptwriting. No commissioning editor is going to take the slightest bit of notice of the letters after a writer's name. It's the quality of the writing that counts and I can't think of any great scriptwriters (whether they be Peter Tinniswood, Galton & Simpson, Perry & Croft, Alan Ayckbourn or anyone else) who has ever bothered to seek an academic qualification in their craft.

Chris

[CJ242]

Both of those schools are exceptional in that field but also very expensive.
If you feel you have a talent for scriptwriting, try this out.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/

[boxtops]

Personally, I think you'd be wasting your time and money - experience and skill would surely stand you in more stead for a subject like this, than an academic degree.

[bellabee]

you need to check out who teaches on them - for the course to be any good, you have to be taught by professional scriptwriters with a good track record in the industry. overall, london based media courses are usually best because that's where the industry is focused BUT any big media city - manchester, bristol, glasgow to name 3, is worth a look at

[jaydah]

Johnny Speight writer, wrote for local pantos & amateur damatics. He lived a spartan life till he hit fame. Una Stubbs was also a member of the same amateur damatics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOLj-ZJsvVM

[badhorsey]

Thanks all for your answers. I've been working on my own stuff and I completely get the point about CEs not really caring about qualifications. It's partly for my own satisfaction and also to hone my skills and do a bit of networking. I've got some material that I'd like to submit to Writers' Room but at this stage I don't think it's ready...

Jim Hill teaches at DeMontfort... he has quite a pedigree...