Course Title: Screenwriting Theory and Analysis
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Screenwriting Theory and Analysis
Credit Points: 12
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
COMM2174 |
City Campus |
Postgraduate |
345H Media and Communication |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2006 |
Course Coordinator: Dr Lisa Dethridge
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3
Course Coordinator Email:lisa.dethridge@rmit.edu.au
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Some academic or industry experience in creative writing, media or publishing is useful.
Course Description
The purpose of this one-semester course is to establish the various theoretical frameworks which are pertinent to the screenwriting field and which guide the development of creative practice in screenwriting.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
This course provides the foundation for future learning in the remainder of the Master of Creative Media Stream, particularly for Screenwriting Workshop; the Project and Exegesis components. It provides the basis for the achievement of the program’s technical and analytical capabilities and will develop the student’s ability to observe, describe, analyze and utilize theoretical and technical structures within the screenwriting field.
The Screenwriting Theory and Analysis course will also contribute to achievement of communication capabilities that will be important for students within industry, for example in their discussions with other writers, producers and directors. Further, students from the Master of Creative Media streams in Photography; Multimedia; Film & TV Production may also be attracted to courses in Screen Theory and Analysis; Storytelling and Genre, subject areas which may be seen as foundation requirements for progression through the M.A. in Creative Media.
Upon successful completion of the course, students achieve intermediate competence relative to both the academic and industrial aspects of screenwriting.
Overview of Learning Activities
Learning activities will encourage students to:
• identify the relative industry components and structures that are necessary for the best development and marketing of an original project.
• identify and describe key elements of script construction, style and content including three act structure; genre; premise; plot; turning points and character psychology.
• critically analyze key elements of script construction, style and content including three act structure; genre; premise; plot; turning points and character psychology.
• communicate effectively using the standard industry vocabulary and terminology of the screenwriting field.
• Include theoretical knowledge as part of both their exegesis and project components.
Overview of Learning Resources
Dethridge, Lisa Writing Your Screenplay, Allen and Unwin, 2003
Overview of Assessment
Students must complete all assignments to pass the course. Students must also complete assignments within the deadlines set for completion.