Screenwriting with laptops

Jean Stawarz, M.F.A.
Associate Professor
Visual Media Arts

Professor Jean Stawarz facilitates the writing and creative process in MA320, Writing a Feature Film, with the use of Emerson's laptop cart, the Mobile Teaching Lab.

instructional process
The goal of MA320 is to learn the fundamentals of writing a feature length film. Throughout the course, students practice writing scenes from scripts, write an outline for the entire script, and write the opening of the screenplay as a final project. Class time is concentrated on writing scripts as a group -- the scripts are read out loud in class, and students offer critiques and peer review. To facilitate this process Professor Stawarz had experimented with laptops to visually project student work to the class for review. Traditionally, the class handwrote the exercises, and students would read their scripts aloud followed by class feedback.

The use of the laptops helps student retention by reinforcing listening with the visual display of the script. It also allows the students to write more extensively; they're able to type and edit their scripts more quickly and accurately while Professor Stawarz circulates the class and checks individual student work. This leads to a quicker and deeper understanding of writing.

The approach benefited the class in several ways. Students were able to print the scripts and, as the laptops are connected to the Internet, e-mail their work to their individual e-mail accounts. Importantly, the use of the laptops reflects modern writing practices; a strong motivator.

Professor Stawarz believes the process broke down a lot of barriers in sharing ideas among the students. It connected students with each other's work, creating a more intimate and collaborative environment. She looks forward to using it again and plans on using the Mobile Teaching Lab in another class, MA232 Concept Development.