Course Title: Develop storylines and treatments

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2011

Course Code: COMM5909C

Course Title: Develop storylines and treatments

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5216 - 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

Teachers:

Name:      Barbara Gliddon
Phone:     9925 4072
Email:       barbara.gliddon@rmit.edu.au

Name:      Roz Williams
Phone:     9925 4974
Email:       roz.williams@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

In this course you will be writing storylines and treatments suitable for a short screenplay.
The competency covers the skills and knowledge required to develop a narrative or storyline.
 


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 material is ready for next stage of production and is completed within agreed timeframes and budget requirements


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will be able to use a range of industry-current software applications to create and refine digital visual effects.
 


Details of Learning Activities

In-class learning activiites include, but are not limited to:

lectures
workshops
practical exercises
discussions
screenings
independent reading and research
writing
screenings

Out-of-class activities include, but are not limited to :

reading
research
writing
attending screenings and festivals
independent project based work


Teaching Schedule

WEEK CLASS CONTENT ELEMENTS
WEEK 1 Introduction to course. 
Story spine (main basic story) - main plot, subplots. Writing the synopsis/outline
1.1 - 1.3
2.1 - 2.5
3.1 - 3.3
WEEK 2 Writing the synopsis/outline, structure: 3-act, turning points 1.1 - 1.3
2.1 - 2.2
WEEK 3 Visual language - showing, not telling. Exposition, narrative techniques of foreshadowing & planting information 1.1 - 1.3
2.1 - 2.2
WEEK 4 Creating screen characters, motivation, character arcs 1.1 - 1.3
2.1 - 2.2
WEEK 5 Workshop synopsis/outline 2.1 - 2.5
3.1 - 3.2
WEEK 6

Discuss treatments

SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT 1 - SYNOPSIS OUTLINE

2.1 - 2.5
3.1 - 3.2
WEEK 7 Feedback on synopsis/outline
2.3 - 2.5
3.3
WEEK 8 Dialogue
2.3 - 2.5
WEEK 9

Dialogue

SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT 2  - TREATMENTS

1.1 - 1.3
2.3 - 2.5
3.3
WEEK 10 Production
2.4
3.1 - 3.3
WEEK 11 Production 3.3
WEEK 12 Writing stage directions & creating scenes 3.3
WEEK 13 Scenes - pacing, scene functions
2.3- 2.5
WEEK 14 Workshop scripts in small groups 2.3 - 2.5
WEEK 15 Workshop scripts in small groups 2.3 - 2.5
WEEK 16

Scripts

SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT 3 - SCRIPTS


2.1 - 2.5
3.1 - 3.2
WEEK 17 Assessment and review 3.3
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

You are expected to make full use of the Carlton library in accessing scripts and will also be expected to view films and TV programs in their own time.


References

Cooper, P. and Dancyger, K., 1994, Writing the Short Film, Focal Press xx.

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


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through a combination of written exercises and drafting, workshopping and re-drafting written assignments.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment tasks in this course are either formative or summative.  Formative tasks provide the basis for ongoing feedback and can be considered as essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks.  Summative assessment tasks in this unit are graded.

For further information on the assessmetns and gradingcriteria, please refer to the course Blackboard site.

To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete each one of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfacotyr standard.

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT TASKS

1. Originate the concept for a story

2.  Develoop the concept for story

3.  Develop a story outline/synopsis

4.  Workshop story outline/synopsis

5.  Submit story outline/synopsis             DUE DATE WEEK 6

6. Develop t5reatment for 3-5 minute narrative

7.  Workshop treatment

8.  Submit treatment                                    DUE DATE WEEK 9

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT TASK

7.  Draft screenplay for 3 - 5 minute narrative, set out in industyr-accepted format.  Assessment includes workshopping.
                                                                          DUE DATE WEEK 16

Grading criteria for this assessment can be found on the course blackboard site.

Your assignment will be assessed using the following grades:

CHD            Competent with High Distinction
CDI              Competent with Distinction
CC               Competent with Credit
CAG             Competency Achieved- Graded

DNS            Did Not Submit for Assessment 


Assessment Matrix

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through a combination of written exercises and drafting, workshopping and re-drafting written assignments.

Other Information

Ethics and your work:
In this course you are required to submit work which could be broadcast to a majority audience and would meet a rating of between G and MA (follow the links on The Office of Film and Literature Classification Website - oflc.gov.au) to inform yourself of criteria and also meet RMIT’s

Ethical Conduct requirements (follow the links on the RMIT Website - rmit.edu.au) and Australian law with regard to vilification.
It is each student’s responsibility to acquaint him/herself with these regulations before submitting work for assessment.

Feedback:
You will receive spoken and written feedback from teachers on your work.  This feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Late Submissions:
Please advise teacher in advance if an extension of time or special consideration is required for submission of work.  Refer to the course Blackboard site forpolicy information including information on late submissions.

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:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1;


Plagiarism
RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism.  Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

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:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y;STATUS=A;PAGE_AUTHOR=Andrea%20Syers;SECTION=1;


Course Overview: Access Course Overview