Something Else! Writing Adaptations & Transmedia Stoytelling (Q3333)

15 credits, Level 6

Spring teaching

Many of the stories we love are adaptations. For example:

  • TV adaptations of classic literature
  • film adaptations of crime fiction
  • blockbuster movie adaptations of video games.

Other adaptations move between the page and the theatre, including work by internationally acclaimed companies Complicite, Elevator Repair Service and Forced Entertainment. However, more adaptations don’t switch medium, but thrive on an earlier work, such as Dodie Bellamy’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Others might translate non-fiction documentary into narrative.

But how do you tell what will make a good adaptation? How can you see the wood for the trees, and, for example, see the essence of character and plot that will make for a great screenplay? Does style in one medium get in the way of seeing clearly, or can style be adapted too?

As well as practicing translating from one medium to another, you’ll explore transmedia theory. This theory addresses how we write as part of a larger idea with its own world-building, lore and beloved characters?

Teaching

100%: Practical (Workshop)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 33 hours of contact time and about 117 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We鈥檙e planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We鈥檒l make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: