Course Title: Write scripts

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2012

Course Code: COMM5907C

Course Title: Write scripts

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6088 - Advanced Diploma of Screenwriting

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

Teacher: Cameron Clarke
Tel: 9925 4908
Email: Cameron.clarke.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

At RMIT you are required to have completed Assess a Film Script (COMM5920) before enrolling in Write Scripts
At RMIT Develop Storylines and Treatments (COMM5909C) is delivered and assessed together with Write Scripts (COMM5907C).
 

Course Description

  Write Scripts develops the skills and knowledge required to write scripts for a range of different creative productions or projects.
The unit Write Scripts is delivered and assessed within the course Write Film, which is made up of three competencies:
1. Assess a Film Script (COMM5920)
2. Develop Storylines and Treatments (COMM5909C)
3. Write Scripts (COMM5907C)
Assess a Film Script is delivered and assessed in Semester 1.
Develop Storylines and Treatments and Write Scripts are delivered and assessed together in Semester 2.

.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFWRT601A Write scripts

Element:

1. Prepare to write scripts.

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Evaluate existing narrative form in preparation for developing scripts for specified productions
1.2 Identify audience and purpose, and requirements for genre, structure and format
1.3 Evaluate script concepts and ideas, narrative and structural framework in relation to stipulated source material, as required.
1.4 Review, discuss and obtain feedback about narratives from relevant personnel as required
1.5 Establish criteria to provide and effective measure of the success of scripts in their context

Element:

2. Write draft scripts.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Develop scripts using a range of appropriate script writing tools and techniques
2.2 Use collaborative techniques to refine and redraft scripts until they meet creative and artistic requirements
2.3 Ensure factual information is accurate and relates to the results if research and agreed existing narrative, as required.
2.4 Ensure final drafts f scripts meet stipulated production and performance requirements

Element:

3. Produce final scripts.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Document and incorporate feedback from relevant personnel
3.2 Evaluate draft scripts against criteria established at the outset to determine whether they successfully meet production requirements
3.3 Make final adjustments to scripts an submit to relevant personnel by agreed deadlines.


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to work on the first draft of a film script


Details of Learning Activities

In this course, you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
• lectures
• industry speakers
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• analysis/critique of students’ writings

2. Out-of-class activities:
• independent project based work
• writing and reading assignments
• online and other research
• independent study

In the second semester of the course, Write Film you will be working independently on writing the first draft of a screenplay. You will be expected to spend a minimum of 1.5 hours a week outside of class time working independently on this project, and to bring your work regularly to class for workshopping and to receive feedback from your teacher and your peers.


Teaching Schedule

Week Content Assessment due Competency and Elements
1 Originating and developing screenplay ideas   CUFWRT501A Plan and prepare to write production material
CUFWRT601A Prepare to write the scripts
2 The feature premise
Research and the screenplay
  CUFWRT501A Plan and prepare to write production material
CUFWRT601A Prepare to write the scripts
3 Key genre elements   CUFWRT501A Plan and prepare to write production material
CUFWRT601A Prepare to write the scripts
4 The feature synopsis   CUFWRT501A Plan and prepare to write production material
CUFWRT601A Prepare to write the scripts
5 Character refresher   CUFWRT501A Develop storylines or treatments
CUFWRT601A Prepare to write the scripts
6

Character revelation and development

 

 Assessment 1 due (6/7 August) CUFWRT501A Develop storylines or treatments
CUFWRT601A Prepare to write the scripts
7 Point of View   CUFWRT501A Develop storylines or treatments
CUFWRT601A Write draft scripts
8 In-depth character breakdowns
Character arcs
Dialogue
  CUFWRT501A Develop storylines or treatments
CUFWRT601A Write draft scripts
9 The feature treatment
The feature scene breakdown
  CUFWRT501A Develop storylines or treatments
CUFWRT601A Write draft scripts
10

Theme and subtext

Assessment 2 due (3/4 September) CUFWRT501A Finalise storylines or treatments
CUFWRT601A Write draft scripts
11 The feature first draft
Script conventions
Final draft workshop
  CUFWRT501A Finalise storylines or treatments
CUFWRT601A Produce final scripts
12 Plots and subplots   CUFWRT501A Finalise storylines or treatments
CUFWRT601A Produce final scripts
 

Mid-semester break (24 September - 5 October)

   
13 Setups and payoffs   CUFWRT501A Finalise storylines or treatments
CUFWRT601A Produce final scripts
14 Three act refresher   CUFWRT501A Finalise storylines or treatments
CUFWRT601A Produce final scripts
15

Alternative structure
The hero’s journey

 Assessment 3 due (22/23 October) CUFWRT501A Finalise storylines or treatments
CUFWRT601A Produce final scripts
16 Scenes and sequences
Creating a visual style
  CUFWRT501A Finalise storylines or treatments
CUFWRT601A Produce final scripts 
17 Assessment Week (No classes)    


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Any prescribed reading material will be distributed in class


References

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is on going throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises and through the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks.

 


Assessment Tasks

Write Scripts is assessed together with Develop Storylines and Treatments. 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.

Assessment 1: Treatment / Genre / Element.  Due date: Week 6 - August 6/7
You may choose one of the following 3 options for your first assessment (Percentage Weighting: 30%)

1. If you have not already done so in first semester, workshop and write a new treatment for a feature length screenplay. Five pages.

OR

2. Discuss the genre/s that best fit your screenplay. what is the genre’s history, how has it evolved and what audience’s expectations are associated with your genre? how do you propose to embrace / subvert your chosen genre conventions? Three pages.

OR

3. Research an element of your screenplay. research may pertain to chaaracter, plot, theme, anything at all that will benefit you in the writing of your screenplay. how will you use this research in your screenplay? Provide references. Three pages.


Assessment 2: Character Arcs for three Characters Due date: Week 10 - September 3/4

Describe character arcs for three characters drawn from your feature treatment. Include plot developments and how they affect your character’s journey. Half a page per character. ( Percentage Weighting: 30% )


Assessment 3: Theme and Subtext Due date: Week 15 - October 22/23
Identify and provide notes on thematic issues and subtextual layering inherent in a scene breakdown (to be workshopped in class) based on your feature treatment. Two pages. (Percentage Weighting: 30%)



Assessment 4:
Class exercises relating to class content
These exercises completed in class throughout semester (Percentage weighting: 10%)



Your assignments will be graded. The 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 demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These are available through the course contact in Program administration



 

Other Information

Submission of Assessment Tasks
You are required to submit all written assessment tasks in hard copy with a completed School of Media and Communication cover sheet. You are expected to keep a copy of all assignments submitted.

Late Submissions
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension before that due date.
Please refer to the program blackboard site for information on late submissions and on applying for an extension.

Feedback
You will receive both spoken and written feedback on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is about the honest presentation of your academic work. Presenting work that fails to acknowledge other people’s work within yours can compromise academic integrity. For further information on academic integrity and plagiarism, please refer to the following URL. http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kkc202lwe1yv

Course Overview: Access Course Overview