Course Title: Develop storylines and treatments
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2012
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. |
Element: |
2 Develop storylines or treatments |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Identify components of script development required by concept proposals. |
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 |
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 Feb 6/7/8 |
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 Feb 13/14/15 |
Writing the synopsis/outline, structure: 3-act, turning points | 1.1 - 1.3 2.1 - 2.2 |
|
WEEK 3 Feb 20/21/22 |
Visual language - showing, not telling. Exposition, narrative techniques of foreshadowing & planting information | 1.1 - 1.3 2.1 - 2.2 |
|
WEEK 4 Feb 27/28/29 |
Creating screen characters, motivation, character arcs | 1.1 - 1.3 2.1 - 2.2 |
|
WEEK 5 Mar 5/6/7 |
Workshop synopsis/outline | 2.1 - 2.5 3.1 - 3.2 |
|
WEEK 6 Mond Mar 12 |
PUBLIC HOLIDAY | GROUP 1C: SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT 1 TUES, MARCH 13 | |
WEEK 6 Mar 13/14 |
Discuss treatments |
SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT 1 - SYNOPSIS OUTLINE |
2.1 - 2.5 3.1 - 3.2 |
WEEK 7 Mar 19/20/21 |
Feedback on synopsis/outline |
2.3 - 2.5 3.3 |
|
WEEK 8 Mar 26/27/28 |
Dialogue |
2.3 - 2.5 |
|
WEEK 9 Apr 2/3/4 |
Dialogue |
SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT 2 - TREATMENTS |
1.1 - 1.3 2.3 - 2.5 3.3 |
WEEK 9 |
MID SEMESTER/EASTER BREAK | ||
WEEK 10 Apr 16/17/18 |
Production |
2.4 3.1 - 3.3 |
|
WEEK 11 Apr 23/24/25 |
Production | 3.3 | |
WEEK 12 Apr 30/May 1/2 |
Writing stage directions & creating scenes | 3.3 | |
WEEK 13 May 7/8/9 |
Scenes - pacing, scene functions |
2.3- 2.5 |
|
WEEK 14 May 14/15/16 |
Workshop scripts in small groups | 2.3 - 2.5 |
|
WEEK 15 May 21/22/23 |
Workshop scripts in small groups | 2.3 - 2.5 |
|
WEEK 16 May 28/29/30 |
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 (May 13/14)
6. Develop treatment for 3-5 minute narrative
7. Workshop treatment
8. Submit treatment
DUE DATE WEEK 9 (Apr 2/3/4)
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT TASK
7. Draft screenplay for 3 - 5 minute narrative, set out in industry-accepted format.
Assessment includes workshopping.
DUE DATE WEEK 16 (May 28/29/30)
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
NYC Not Yet Competent
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