Course Title: Write scripts

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2012

Course Code: COMM5907C

Course Title: Write scripts

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6087 - Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media

Course Contact : Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email:mctafe@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Ms Barbara Gliddon
Phone: 9925 4072
Email: barbara.gliddon@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

Write Scripts looks at the skills and knowledge required to write scripts for a creative production. During this course you work collaboratively with others to develop a concept into a draft script.

This course is co-delivered with Establish the Creative Vision for Screen.

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 an 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 of research and agreed existing narrative, as required 2.4 Ensure final drafts of 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 and submit to relevant personnel by agreed deadlines

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to write a short screenplay, understand copyright for this screenplay, apply effective interpersonal communication techniques, work to deadline and work in collaboration with others including a professional attitude to feedback and its possible incorporation.

Details of Learning Activities

Students will participate in observation, listening and writing exercises plus discussions, viewings analysing material.
Research workshop simulations filed work and excursions will also be included.
In-class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
• Observation
• Listening and writing exercises
• screenings
• group discussion
• analysis of material
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• workshopping of students’ own projects

Out-of-class activities include, but are not limited to,
• research
• reading
• independent project based work

Teaching Schedule

Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources.

 

Week	Class Content This course is co-delivered with CUFDRT601A VART5924C Establish creative vision for screen productions	Elements
Week 1 7/2/11	Orientation evaluating screenplays	1.1.
Week 2 14/2/11	Discussion on previous productions and the role of writing	1.1.
Week 3 21/2/11	Silent films, short films and mise-en-scene and genre	1.2
Week 4 28/2/11	The roles of listening and observing in screenwriting	1.2.,1.3
Week 5 7/3/11	Characterisation – back stories and internal logic.	2.2,
Week 6 14/3/11	Working in teams- storylining to brief and deadline.	1.4, 1.5
Week 7 21/3/11	Structure -Acts and turning points	1.3
Week 8 28/3/11	Fine structure –the shape of scenes.	1.3, 2.1,
Week 9 4/4/11	Budget and writing.	2.4,
Week 10 11/4/11	Copyright and legal obligations in screenwriting.	2.3,
Week 11 18/4/11	Writing the screenplay. Writing the first draft.	2.1
Week 12 2/5/11	One to one meetings with the teacher.	1.4, 2.4,
Week 13 9/5/11	Script editing and feedback	1.4,1.5,3.1
Week 14 16/5/11	Production requirements, the logistics of the shoot.	3.2
Week 15 23/5/11	Evaluating and reflecting upon feedback from eg a producer	3.1
Week 16 30/5/11	Re drafting to deadline	3.2

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

A variety of screenplays

References

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

Other Resources

A computer and access to screenwriting software.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester and involves practical exercises, knowledge assessment tasks and written projects.

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 more substantial summative assessment tasks.
To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete each of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.

For further information on the grading system please refer to the course Blackboard site.

Formative:
1. Reflective practice
You are to prepare and deliver a two to four page (double spaced) reflective piece on your observations and reflections on producing your most recent production (eg your Diploma film) and the positive and negative aspects of bringing the screenplay to the screen. Due Week 3

2. Review, feedback, communication report.
Due no later than Week 13.


Summative:
2. Finished script.

You are to write a seven to twelve minute screenplay for the production second semester. Due Week 14.

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.
Grades used in this unit are as follows:

CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI  Competent with Distinction
CC   Competent with Credit
CAG  Competence Achieved - Graded
NYC  Not Yet Competent
DNS  Did Not Submit for Assessment

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

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 for policy 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:ˇ
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.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview