I'm applying to do a MA in creative writing but need to send 2 pieces of work with my application. According to them two contrasting pieces. The course is both prose and screenplays, so I figure one of each. I've already asked them loads of questions so don't really wanna ask them anymore.

Do people think a short would suffice or would it need to be a feature length script? Also if anyone's read most of my scripts, any of them stand out as good ones to send?

Stuff needs to be in by the end of June and I haven't written prose since leaving school....d'oh!

Cheers in advance for any advice.

Ste

I think a short piece will suffice such as a scene from something longer you are working for. Not a complete short unless you are like Pia or Mr. Z. But a scene will do since these admissions people are expecting alot of entries and do not want something long that will cause them to halt their admission process.

congrats on going for a BA in creative writing. I always wanted to take a creative writing course but never did. My course is this website. lol.

Hope this helps,
Gabe

P.S. cool sig of SoulShadows. Can't wait to see the entries.

Cheers Gabe

It's actually an MA not a BA. An MA is a post-graduate course, so whatever work I submit has to qualify me instead of the degree I haven't got. I'm guessing this is going to be a very busy month.

Yeah the sig is pretty niffty isn't it? mccornetto made it I think.

Ste

Jeez...Good luck with that one! The only time I've ever heard of anyone getting onto an MA course without having the appropriate degree behind them is when they've been working in the field for years and need the MA to progress in an already established job.

Let us know how it goes!

Cheers for the good luck wishes pippo, yeah it is going to be pretty much mission impossible.

The problem, as you probably know, in the UK screenwriting courses are few and far between. The problem with the BA is it is only full-time over 3 years and I have a full-time job.

I'll see how it goes and hopefully if I don't get in they let me know how I can improve, then I can apply again next year.

Ste

Our lass is in her last two weeks of completing her MA in creative writing.  She just has the final project to do, a feature screenplay.  She loved the course and got a lot out of it, me too lol.  Good luck with it mate.

Quoted from alffy Our lass is in her last two weeks of completing her MA in creative writing.  She just has the final project to do, a feature screenplay.  She loved the course and got a lot out of it, me too lol.  Good luck with it mate.

Did your gal have a BA in creative writing too?

Cheers Alffy

Do you know what sort of work she sent in when she was enrolling? It's Northumbria Uni where I'm applying.

She didn't have to send anything in Ste.  She's got a degree in Media and going back to uni to become a teacher next year but she wanted to do a masters in English first.

Quoted from pippo Did your gal have a BA in creative writing too?

No she's got a degree in Media, oh I mentioned that above lol.

Well, digging this post out from the past as I bottled it last year and didn't enter. I figured I needed a bit more time.

I've submitted my work this year though and have applied. Just received some feedback on the three pieces I sent in - Closure, Big Stakes and Coma (all on these boards). The lecturer of the course says that the works were a little derivitive but showed promise and skill (so some good, some not so.)

Got to have a chat with him next Tuesday about the course and stuff. To be honest I didn't think I'd even get a response, but now I have I really want to get in.

Ste

Congrats Ste! Good luck.

~Zack~

Good luck mate, if you need any advice I can always ask the misses lol.

Why so anxious? Ste, make another call. Plead ignorance at annoying the submissions agent, have a list of questions to ask - no more than 5 for a 3-5 minute call. Promise them this'll be the last time you bother them. It's just that you're so nervous about joining their auspicious program  you'd like to make a great impression. If you've already done that, pucker up and pick an excerpt from your previous work that even hints at the requirements. You can do a modest amount of spinning the application with a short well worded cover letter. I don't know the process at the school but I suspect groveling helps.

Gary

Thanks for the good luck wishes.

Grademan, this is the first time I've applied. I was going to submit my work last year but decided against it.

Congrats on peaking interest. Hope it goes further as admitting you to the course.