Course Title: Develop storylines and treatments

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2011

Course Code: COMM5909C

Course Title: Develop storylines and treatments

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6087 - Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media

Course Contact : Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email:mctafe@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

C6087DIGIT- ADVANCED DIPLOMA OF SCREEN & MEDIA (INTERACTIVE DIGITAL MEDIA)

Teacher: Kieran Doolan
Phone: 9925 4110
Email: kieran.doolan@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 50

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 describes the skills and knowledge required to develop storylines and treatments for media products in the creative industries. COMM 5909C Develop storylines and treatments is taught at the same time as BUSM 6217C Originate and develop concepts.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFWRT501A Develop storylines and treatments

Element:

1 Plan and prepare to write production material

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Define appropriate script-writing construction, style and formats for given type of production and clients.
1.2 Define and develop ideas and concepts of the given production material, including analysis of genre , audience and purpose.
1.3 Develop elements of narrative, including visual and aural narrative components , dialogue, and other communication techniques, such as symbols and icons, to convey information in production material.

Element:

2 Develop storylines or treatments.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify components of script development required by concept proposals.
2.2 Develop concepts to synopsis stage or equivalent as required by type of production format or genre.
2.3 Develop treatment and scene breakdown as required by type of production format or genre.
2.4 Evaluate narrative development with relevant personnel as required and incorporate feedback.
2.5 Develop material in appropriate format for story conferencing or pitch presentation to client.

Element:

3 Finalise storylines or treatments.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Present materials for discussion to production team responsible for story conferences or pitching to clients.
3.2 Redraft materials incorporating feedback from production team.
3.3 Ensure that relevant production material is ready for next stage of production and is completed within agreed timeframes and budget requirements.


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you will have developed the skills and knowledge required to develop storylines and treatments for media products in the creative industries


Details of Learning Activities

In class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
lectures
peer teaching and class presentations
group discussion
teacher feedback
online research
independent project based work
teacher directed group activities/projects
workshopping of students’ own projects

Out of class activities include, but are not limited to:
online research
work shopping
independent project based work


Teaching Schedule

 Week  Class Content  Elements

BUSM6217C
 Elements

COMM5909C
Week 1 Short film screening and web/interactive analysis 1, 2 1, 2
Week 2  Subject, Action, Character - Elements of User Experience  1, 2  1, 2
Week 3  Assignment 1 - Three concept presentations and critique  1, 2  1, 2
Week 4 Narrative structure/dramatic paradigm - Strategy & Scope  1, 2  1, 2
Week 5  Written treatment workshop - Individual consultations  1, 2, 3, 4  1, 2
Week 6  Assignment 2 - Two written treatments (final concept presentations)  1, 2, 3, 4  1, 2, 3,
Week 7  Writing exercises - (Character bios)  1, 2, 3, 4  1, 2
Week 8  Assignment 3 - 1st draft of the script/schematic (3 pages max)  1, 2, 3, 4  1, 2
Week 9  Writing exercises  1, 2, 3, 4  1, 2, 3,
Week 10  Assignment 4 - 2nd draft of the script/schematic (3 pages max)  3,4  1, 2, 3,
Week 11  Studio Class for assignment 5 - Individual consultations  3,4  1, 2, 3,
Week 12  Assignment 5 - Final script/schematic presentations  3,4  1, 2, 3,
 Week 13  Pre-production workshop  3,4  1, 2, 3,
 Week 14  Pre-production workshop  3,4  1, 2, 3,
 Week 15  Pre-production workshop  3,4  1, 2, 3,
 Week 16  Pre-production workshop  3,4  1, 2, 3,
 Week 17  Assessment    

Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources




Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

Field, 1994, Screenplay: the foundations of screenwriting, Dell Publishing

Field, 2006, The screenwriter's workbook, Delta Trade Paperbacks

Vorhaus, 1994, The comic toolbox: how to be funny even if you're not, Allen & Unwin

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information. Students are expected to make full use of University library facilities, in researching and developing creative concepts.


Other Resources

None


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester and will involve class exercises and development of finished scripts (linear work) or schematics (interactive work)


Assessment Tasks

1. Minor project - written treatment
Your minor project concept in treatment form. Minimum 400 words. Due week 3. Value: 15%

2. Minor project - 2nd draft script/schematic
Present the second draft script (linear) or schematic (interactives). Due week 5. Value: 15%
3. Major project - written treatment
Your major project concept in treatment form. Minimum 400 words. Due week 5. Value: 15%

4. Major project - 2nd draft script/schematic
Present the second draft script (linear) or schematic (interactives). Due week 5. Value: 15%

5. Major project - final draft script/schematic
Present the final draft script (linear) or schematic (interactives). Due week 12. Value: 20%

6. Ongoing class exercises. Due in class. Value 20%

For further information on the grading system and criteria used, please refer to the course blackboard site.

Grades used in this unit are as follows:

Grades which apply to curriculum-based courses:
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 demonstrates 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;

Feedback:
You will receive feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Late Submissions
Please refer to the course blackboard site for policy information including information on late submissions and plagiarism

Plagiarism
RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview