Course Title: Assess TV scripts
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2010
Course Code: COMM5921
Course Title: Assess TV scripts
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6088 - Advanced Diploma of Screenwriting
Course Contact : Brendan Lee
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4368
Course Contact Email:Brendan.lee@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Ben Michael
E-Mail: ben.michael@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 70
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
There are no pre-requisits or co-requisites for this unit
Course Description
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The competency Assess TV Scripts develops the skills and knowledge required to analyse and assess a TV script. By exploring the various stages of the script process and examining the different elements, you will be able to isolate and identify the flaws and strengths of various scripts. This will enable you to provide feedback to others as well as develop your own work. Assess TV Scripts is taught within the course WriteTV, which is made up of three competencies Assess TV Scripts, Write an Episode of a TV Series and Collaborate in a Creative Process
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National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VPAU306 Assess TV scripts |
Element: |
1. Establish program requirements. |
Performance Criteria: |
1. The target audience is clearly identified 2. The production requirements and budgerary limitations are clarified 3. The genre and format of the script are clearly delineated 4. Story and character arcs are clearly established 5. Sccript is tailored to seeries episode length |
Element: |
2. Assess script elements. |
Performance Criteria: |
1. Plot and narrative construction are analysed against conventions of the program 2. Style of script is examined ofr consistency with program style and audience expectations 3. Content of script is reviewed for consistency with genre and format 4. Characterisations are critiqued against program conventions and audience expectations 5. Script is checked for continuity |
Element: |
3. Redress script problems. |
Performance Criteria: |
1. Script's strengths and weaknesses are summarised 2. Tasks necessary for re-drafting of script are established 3. Appropriate strategies for re-drafting of script are prioritised 4. Written analysis is formatted to script department requirements and presented punctually |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to assess a TV script for a production company
Details of Learning Activities
• lectures
• demonstrations
• guest lecturers
• peer teaching and class presentations
• exercises
• discussion
• group activities/projects
• workshopping
Classes will include planned lectures, class exercises to review what has been learnt in class, practical demonstrations, workshopping of students’ own projects, analysis/critique of screenwriters’ work.
Teaching Schedule
TEACHING SCHEDULE
| WEEK | ELEMENT |
| WEEK ONE. The Genre of different shows is explored. What are it’s rules and how has the show engaged or sunbverted these rules. What is the taget audience of the show? Who is it being made for? |
1. Establish program requirements.
|
| WEEK TWO. What are the production requirements and budget limitations of various shows, from high to low budget and how it affects the scripts. |
1. Establish program requirements. |
| WEEK THREE Story and character arcs are looked at in detail using scripts and watching a show that has strong examples of story and character arcs. |
1. Establish program requirements. 2. Assess script elements |
| WEEK FOUR How are scripts tailored to series episode lengths. The rules of various shows are explored to illustrate the house style of different programs. |
1. Establish program requirements. 2. Assess script elements |
| WEEK FIVE. Constructing plot and narrative. |
1. Establish program requirements. 2. Assess script elements |
| WEEK SIX Analiyse a script from an established TV show. Examine it for consitancy with program style and audience expectations. |
1. Establish program requirements. 2. Assess script elements 3. Redress script problems. |
| WEEK SEVEN Content of a choosen script is reviwed for consistency with genre and format. |
1. Establish program requirements. 2. Assess script elements 3. Redress script problems. |
| WEEK EIGHT Characterisations are critiqued against program conventions and audience expectations. |
1. Establish program requirements. 2. Assess script elements |
| WEEK NINE What is script continuity? |
1. Establish program requirements. |
| WEEK TEN How to assess a scripts strengths and weaknesses. How to go about redrafting a script to make it better. |
1. Establish program requirements. 2. Assess script elements 3. Redress script problems. |
| WEEK ELEVEN Students choose a script from an established program and commence using the skills delivered in the course to re-draft and improve the script. |
1. Establish program requirements. 2. Assess script elements 3. Redress script problems. |
| WEEK TWELVE Students continue working on scripts with one on one session with teacher during class. |
2. Assess script elements 3. Redress script problems. |
| WEEK THIRTEEN TO SEVENTEEN Students present their findings in an analysis that is formatted to script department requirements. This is the main assessement of this course. |
1. Establish program requirements. 2. Assess script elements 3. Redress script problems. |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Scripts from a range of TV drama series will be supplied for the duration of the course.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks.
Assessment Tasks
SCRIPT ANALYSIS
Close text study: 1000 – 1500 words
Synopsize, analyse and assess a television script in terms of structure, characterization, and character development.
SCRIPT PRESENTATION
CLASS PRESENTATION IN PAIRS, ASSESSED EQUALLY.
Choose a TV drama series from a shortlist provided and in dual presentation of approximately 40 to 45 minutes, analyse, explore and present on the following:
Premise.
Intended audience.
Specific format.
Narritive structures and plot techniques.
Major character arcs.
Draw on and present scripted examples from at least five episodes and provide at least five video/DVD segments to illustrate your thesis.
Assessment Matrix
| VPAU306 Assess TV Scripts | Elements | Skills | Knowledge |
| Script Analysis | 1, 2, 3 | • Analytical skills • Report writing skills • Script writing skills • Personal organisational skills |
• Current audience demographics and preferences • Current industry trends • Broad knowledge of production costs • Knowledge of script formats • Knowledge of genre conventions |
| Script Presentation | 1, 2 | • Analytical skills • Report writing skills • Script writing skills • Personal organisational skills |
• Current audience demographics and preferences • Current industry trends • Broad knowledge of production costs • Knowledge of script formats • Knowledge of genre conventions |
Other Information
These assessment tasks are designed for you to demonstrate competency in the required skills and knowledge of this unit.
This unit will also be graded. Your teacher will provide a grading guide for you at the commencement of the course.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview