Course Title: Write extended stories

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2011

Course Code: COMM5911C

Course Title: Write extended stories

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4197 - Certificate IV in Creative Industries

Course Contact : program Administration - Adam Lovell

Course Contact Phone: 03 9925 4976

Course Contact Email:adam.lovell@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Adam Spellicy
Email: adam.spellicy@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 40

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None.

Course Description

This unit aims to provide students with an understanding of how a story is told on screen. It will develop a visual and aural literacy and will place screenwriting in a cultural context by examining examples of both contemporary and historical Australian and international cinema.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFWRT402A Write extended stories

Element:

1. Analyse extended story writing requirements.

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify the components of a storytelling creative concept, brief or project,,
including target audience, format , timeline and proposed outcomes
1.2 Consider factors such as style, tone and length in relation to purpose of
the writing task
1.3 Decide on the most appropriate structuring technique for extended
story writing tasks
1.4 Discuss with relevant personnel possible visual and aural
storytelling structures if appropriate to storytelling tasks

Element:

2. Prepare to write extended stories.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Research extended and more complex stories from a range of
creative works that may inspire story ideas to meet project requirements
2.2 Use information sources to research subject areas
2.3 Experiment with a range of narrative structures and writing styles and
techniques
2.4 Develop extended ideas for characters, plots and settings
2.5 Develop complex scenarios, contexts and situations as required
2.6 Select the story structure, style, techniques and content that best meet the
requirements of projects
2.7 Seek feedback from relevant personnel on proposed stories and refine
approach as required

Element:

3. Draft extended stories.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Draft extended stories using appropriate structuring, style and language
3.2 Use relevant formatting and presentation techniques
3.3 Proofread draft stories for appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling
3.4 Submit draft manuscripts to relevant personnel for feedback and amend as
required

Element:

4. Write final drafts.

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Evaluate extended stories in line with relevant criteria
4.2 Discuss and confirm with relevant personnel additional requirements or
modifications to the story
4.3 Complete necessary amendments as required within agreed timelines

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to;
1. Develop synopsis and treatment using story conferencing techniques.
2. Identify visual drama components.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the skills and techniques required to convey the rhythm of the visual narrative and its appropriate disruption.
4. Produce scenes conveying the emotional state and development of character without use of dialogue or narration.


Details of Learning Activities

In class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
o Teacher directed group activities
o Practical exercises
o Independent project based work
o Class presentations
o Group discussion

Out of class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
o Online research
o Group work


Teaching Schedule

Week # Class Content Elements

1-16

Semester 2

TBC

Topics to be covered include;
• The screenwriter in the scheme of things
• Different forms of screenwriting
• Creating stories
• Creating characters
• Visual storytelling, visual drama components and visual characterization
• Film language. Semiotics, subtext and symbolism, metaphor and the power and meaning of images
• Culture and story
• The three act structure
• Adaptation
• Synopsis and treatment
• Creating scenes
• Writing dialogue

  1-4


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Handouts


References

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.
• SCRIPTWRITING UPDATED: New & Conventional Ways of Writing for the Screen, Linda Aronson

• THE SCREENPLAY: A Blend of Film Form and Content Margaret Mehring

• HERO WITH 1000 FACES Joseph Campbell

• THE WRITERS JOURNEY: Mythic Structure for WritersChris Vogler

• STORY Robert McKee

• ON FILM-MAKING Alexander MacKendrick


Other Resources

Pen, paper. laptop computer.


Overview of Assessment

You will be required to present a story board, do a presentation to class on a screen play, workshop and develop a draft short film script or treatment and participate in class activities.


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.

1 Presentation of a storyboard of 30 static images (photos or drawn) that tell a short story. Visual only – no dialogue or captions (30%) DUE TBC
2 Class Presentation – Discuss the screenplay of one Australian film by examining elements such as structure, characterization, themes etc. (30%) Due TBC
3 Through workshopping, develop and write the first draft of a ten (10) minute short film. Approximately ten to twelve pages of formatted script. (30%)

OR

Through workshopping, develop and write a treatment for a thirty (30) minute short film. Approximately three to five pages of prose. (30%) Due TBC

4 Participation in class discussions and workshopping (ongoing) (10%)

NB: Assignments will be assessed with an eye to story, plot, structure, character, imagery and subtext.


The details on these assessments and the grading criteria for this competency can be found on the course blackboard site.

Grades used in this unit are as follows:

80 – 100% HD High Distinction
70 – 79% DI Distinction
60 – 69% CR Credit
50 – 59% PA Pass
Under 50% NN Fail


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrated alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration

Other Information

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.
Please refer to the following URL for extensions and special consideration:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1;

Course Overview: Access Course Overview