Firstlook: An Online Screenplay Development Tool

BACKGROUND
In early 2011 I worked with script development company Screenplay Productions as an educational researcher for the development of an online screenplay assessment platform, Firstlook. Many existant digital screenwriting tools, such as Final Draft, CeltX, Scenepad and Slugline, do have 'teaching' functionalities, but none of them are designed specifically for a university context. I was invited to particpiate in the project based on my research reputation in screenwriting (theory and practice) and extensive experience as a screenwriting educator and curriculum developer, working at the time at a leading Media School in the UK (Bournemouth University).
CONTRIBUTION
By drawing on research into the craft and pedagogy of screenwriting practice, I was able to help re-design the structure of the online platform to assist with functionality (for both educators and learners) and usability (including pedagogic interventions such as self-reflection tools). The use of a focus group, which I facilitated, enabled further testing of the software-in-progress, and to gather the first-hand experiences of participants to inform its pedagogic value. The role I played in particular was to synthesise the research, which also included a survey of all screenwriting programs operating in the UK, into pedagogic principles and tools that could be designed and implemented by the development team.
SIGNIFICANCE
Firstlook is original in its functionality and is underpinned by research into screenwriting pedagogy, not mere craft. It provides a unique blend of pedagogic intentionality with creative practice design. The project was enabled with a grant ($8000 equivalent) from the South East of England Development Agency, which I co-wrote with the CEO of Screenplay Productions. Firstlook was officially launched at the 2011 London Screenwriters' Festival, and is the subject of two journal articles currently under review.