Course Title: Develop storylines and treatments

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2014

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:mcvet@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

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

Kieran Doolan
ph: 9925 4110
e: kieran.doolan@rmit.edu.au

Nicole McKinnon
ph: 9925 4375
e: nicole.mckinnon@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 of competency is delivered in the class Concept 3. This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop storylines and treatments for media products in the creative industries.


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 Assessments CUFWRT501A
Week 1 Course introduction and Design Project 3 concept presentations A01 - Present 3 project concepts for Design Project 3 1, 2
Week 2 Project synopsis and treatment writing exercises    1, 2
Week 3 Elements of User Experience - Strategy & Scope
Subject, Action, Character - Three act structure - Heroes’ journey
A02 - Written project synopsis and visual treatment for Design Project 3  1, 2
Week 4 User profiles/User scenario - Character bios & backstory A03 - First draft pre-production documents, script (linear projects), first draft IA document/prototype or interactive wireframe (games/web) for Design Project 3  1, 2
Week 5 Individual consultations - Pre-production workshop Summative A07A - Final pre-production documents for Design Project 3  1, 2
Week 6 Production workshop and individual consultation    1, 2, 3
Week 7 Production workshop and individual consultation    1, 2
Week 8 Design Project 4 concept presentations –Three concept proposals A04 - Present 3 project concepts for Design Project 4  1, 2
Week 9 Individual consultations, project structure and development. Begin first drafts Design Project 4 synopsis and treatment    1, 2, 3
Week 10 Production workshop and individual consultation A05 - Written project synopsis and visual treatment for Design Project 4  1, 2, 3
Week 11 Production workshop and individual consultation A06 - First draft pre-production documents, script (linear projects), first draft IA document/prototype or interactive wireframe (games/web) for Design Project 4  1, 2, 3
Week 12 Pre-production workshop and individual consultation    1, 2, 3
 Week 13 Pre-production workshop and individual consultation    1, 2, 3
 Week 14 Pre-production workshop and individual consultation Summative A07B - Final pre-production documents for Design Project 4  1, 2, 3
 Week 15 Pre-production workshop and individual consultation    1, 2, 3
 Week 16 Pre-production workshop and individual consultation    1, 2, 3

 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

Andrew Rollings, Ernest Adams, 2003, On Game Design, New Riders

Scott Rogers, 2010, Level up! : the guide to great video game design, Chichester : Wiley

Tracy Fullerton, Christopher Swain, Steven S. Hoffman, 2008, Game design workshop [electronic resource], Elsevier Morgan Kaufmann.

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. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, practical project work and through the application of learned skills.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative. Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks. Summative assessment tasks in this unit are graded. To demonstrate competency in this course you need to complete each one of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive verbal feedback on all assessment from either your teacher or peer (student) feedback. NB: All assessments are COMPULSORY

Design Project 3 - Formative Assessments

A01 - Due week 1 in class - Present 3 project concepts for Design Project 3.
A02 - Due week 3 in class - Written project synopsis and visual treatment for Design Project 3.
A03 - Due week 4 in class - First draft pre-production documents, script (linear projects), first draft IA document/prototype or interactive wireframe (games/web) for Design Project 3.

Design Project 3 - Summative Assessment

A07A – Due week 5 in class - Final pre-production documents for Design Project 3.
Final draft script (linear projects), final draft IA document/prototype or interactive wireframe (games/web)

Design Project 4 - Formative Assessments

A04 - Due week 8 in class - Present 3 project concepts for Design Project 4.
A05 - Due week 10 in class - Written project synopsis and visual treatment for Design Project 4.
A06 - Due week 11 in class - First draft pre-production documents, script (linear projects), first draft IA document/prototype or interactive wireframe (games/web) for Design Project 4.

Design Project 4 - Summative Assessment

A07B – Due week 14 in class - Final pre-production documents for Design Project 4.
Final draft script (linear projects), final draft IA document/prototype or interactive wireframe (games/web)
 

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 courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment:

CHD - Competent with High Distinction
CDI - Competent with Distinction
CC - Competent with Credit
CAG - Competency Achieved - Graded
NYC - Not Yet Competent
DNS - Did Not Submit for Assessment


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

Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Cover Sheet for Submissions
All students must complete a submission cover sheet for each piece of submitted work.

Plagiarism - RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity

Copyright
All students have access to the myRMIT copyright shell. The myRMIT copyright shell contains information on copyright, plus also examples on how to use copyright works as part of your projects and assignments.

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:
www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration/online

Student Progress Committee
This committee promotes the early identification of students who are not achieving acceptable academic performance. The committee provides identified students with assistance and seeks to ensure such students are aware of the range of support services available to them at the University. Student Progress Committee (SPC)

Student Feedback
Students are offered opportunities to provide feedback through a variety of mechanisms including online surveys conducted at the end of each course or semester, student complaints and Student Staff Consultative Committees

Course Overview: Access Course Overview