Course Title: Write scripts

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2013

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

 

 Orientation.

 

 1.1.

Week 2

 

Discussion on previous productions and the role of writing,.

 What has been learned from the Diploma production?

 

 1.1.

Week 3

 

 

Short screenplay structure. Acts and turning points.

Scene pacing.

 

 1.2

Week 4

 

 

 Formatting and the content of the screenplay. Writing for performance:
 levels of instruction with regard to individual performers’ interpretation and choices.  

 

 1.2.,1.3

Week 5

 

 

 Temporal managment; the "meanwhile"and the "then" in cinematic narrative.

 Formative assignment brief: Reviewing Feedback and Communication. (This is also    an Establish Creative Vision assignment to be done once only.)

 

 2.2,

Week 6

 Framing questions to the writer.  1.4, 1.5

Week 7

 

Characterisation and dialogue. Plotting - possibilites and probabilities, the difference and importance of character and plot driven screenplays. Deus ex machina.

 

 1.3

Week 8

 

 Fine structure - the shape of scenes. Scene analysis.

Audience engagement.

 1.3, 2.1,

Week 9

 

 More structure: beginning and end of scenes. (Start late and leave early.)  2.4,

Week 10

 

 Copyright and legal obligations in screenwriting. Scheduling one to one meetings.  2.3,

Week 11

 

 Either one to one meetings with teacher or writing on your own . (Please refer to the  Establish Creative Visions Course Guide for details.)  2.1

Week 12

 

 Either one to one meetings with teacher or writing on your own . (Please refer to the  Establish Creative Visions Course Guide for details.)  1.4, 2.4,

Week 13

 

 Reviewing Feedback and Communication assignment due.  1.4,1.5,3.1

Week 14

 Production requirements, the logistics of the shoot.  3.2

Week 15

 Re writing, timing and cutting.  3.1

Week 16

 

 Summative assessment due: Delivery of completed screenplay. Feedback as requested and  or required by either individual students or production groups .  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:


Review, feedback, communication report.

you are to write a feedback report for another student’s screenplay as per class brief.


Due week 13.


Summative:


Completed screenplay.

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

Due Week 15.

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

Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that students attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Cover Sheet for Submissions
All students must complete a submission cover sheet for each piece of submitted work.

Plagiarism - RMIT has a strict policy on plagiarism. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity

Copyright
All students have access to the myRMIT copyright shell. The myRMIT copyright shell contains information on copyright, plus also examples on how to use copyright works as part of your projects and assignments.

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:
www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration/online

Student Progress Committee
This committee promotes the early identification of students who are not achieving acceptable academic performance. The committee provides identified students with assistance and seeks to ensure such students are aware of the range of support services available to them at the University. Student Progress Committee (SPC)

Student Feedback
Students are offered opportunities to provide feedback through a variety of mechanisms including online surveys conducted at the end of each course or semester, student complaints and Student Staff Consultative Committees

Course Overview: Access Course Overview