Course Title: Develop storylines and treatments

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

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.Define appropriate script-writing construction, style and formats for given type of production and clients
2.Define and develop ideas and concepts of the given production material, including analysis of genre, audience and purpose
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:

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

Element:

3 Finalise storylines or treatments.

Performance Criteria:

9.Present materials for discussion to production team responsible for story conferences or pitching to clients
10.Redraft materials incorporating feedback from production team
11.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
1

Course introduction and Design Project 3 concept presentations.
Intro to A01 - Design Project 3 Concept Workbook

 
2 Project synopsis and treatment writing exercises  
3 Elements of User Experience - Strategy & Scope
Subject, Action, Character - Three act structure - Heroes’ journey
 
4 User profiles/User scenario - Character bios & backstory


5 Studio class - A01 pre-production workshop and project feedback  
6 Studio class - A01 pre-production workshop and project feedback A01 - Design Project 3 Concept Workbook
7 A01 project feedback. Intro to A02 - Design Project 4 Concept Workbook  
8 Design Project 4 concept presentations –Three concept proposals  
9 Individual consultations and feedback.
Begin first drafts Design Project 4 synopsis and treatment.
 
10 Studio class - A02 pre-production workshop and project feedback.
Define Strategy and Scope. Develop Subject, Action, Character.
Define Three act structure and The Heroes’ Journey.
 
11 Studio class - A02 pre-production workshop and project feedback.
Write User profiles/User scenario - Character bios and backstory.
 
12 Studio class - A02 pre-production workshop and project feedback.
Start developing first draft of relevant pre-production material.
 
13 Studio class - A02 pre-production workshop and project feedback.
Re-draft relevant pre-production material.
 
14 Studio class - A02 pre-production workshop and project feedback.
Develop final draft of relevant pre-production material.
A02 - Design Project 4 Concept Workbook

 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

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessments to a satisfactory standard. Your projects may be either stand alone interactive, games, web based or mobile (INT) or linear, screen based 2D, 3D or motion designed animations (ANM). You will receive feedback on all assessments and once you have demonstrated competency, you will receive a grade for A01 and A02 (refer to MyRMIT for grading rubric).

 

A01 - Design Project 3 Concept Workbook - Due week 6

As part of the pre-production phase for your Design Project 3 you will complete a Concept Workbook which will consist of these milestones:

  • Wk 1 - Present 3 project concepts in class for Design Project 3
  • Wk 2 - Prepare synopsis and project treatment in class
  • Wk 3 - Define Strategy and Scope (INT)
                Define Subject, Action, Character and Three Act structure (ANM)
  • Wk 4 - Define User Profiles and Scenarios (INT)
                Define Character Bios and backstories (ANM)
  • Wk 5 - First draft pre-production documents. Script (ANM)
                or Flowcharts/Wireframes (INT)
  • Wk 6 - Final draft pre-production documents. Script (ANM)
                or Flowcharts/Wireframes (INT)

 

A02 - Design Project 4 Concept Workbook - Due week 14

As part of the pre-production phase for your Design Project 4 you will complete a Concept Workbook which will consist of these milestones:

  • Wk 8 - Present 3 project concepts in class for Design Project 4
  • Wk 9 - Prepare synopsis and project treatment in class
  • Wk 10 - Define Strategy and Scope (INT)
                  Define Subject, Action, Character and Three Act structure (ANM)
  • Wk 11 - Define User Profiles and Scenarios (INT)
                  Define Character Bios and backstories (ANM)
  • Wk 12 - First draft pre-production documents. Script (ANM)
                  or Flowcharts/Wireframes (INT)
  • Wk 14 - Final draft pre-production documents. Script (ANM)
                  or Flowcharts/Wireframes (INT)

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

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students

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
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.

Assessment and Feedback (web link)
You will receive verbal feedback during scheduled class times, and written feedback from teachers on your work . Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Student Progress (web link)
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.

Special consideration for Late Submission (web link)
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. You can apply in writing for up to a week’s extension from your course teacher. If you need a longer extension, you wil need to apply for special consideration.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism (web link)
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity

Course Overview: Access Course Overview