Course Title: Assess a film script during development

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2015

Course Code: COMM7315

Course Title: Assess a film script during development

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6125 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

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

Ben Michael
ben.michael@rmit.edu.au

Alan Woodruff
alan.woodruff@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 70

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

This course looks at the skills and knowledge require to assess a film script.. It involves assessing script construction, style and content, evaluating script changes and  writing a script report.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

ASWAFS602A Assess a film script during development

Element:

1. Assess script construction, style and content

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Film genre and the elements establishing it in the script are identified
1.2 Premise and plot are determined
1.3 Consistency and strength of story structure, characterisation
and character development are analysed
1.4 Effectiveness of narrative elements is evaluated
1.5 Style and genre are analysed for effectiveness
1.6 Script format is examined for compliance with industry requirements
 

Element:

2. Evaluate changes made in various drafts

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Any changes occurring in premise, theme or subject are delineated
2.2 Principal changes in plot, characterisation and character development are charted
2.3 Changes to narrative elements are identified
2.4 Effectiveness of changes is analysed
 

Element:

3. Write a script report

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Overview of script’s strengths and weaknesses is prepared
3.2 Estimate is made of work needed to bring script to production quality
3.3 Strategies and/or options for rewriting are outlined
3.4 Report is formatted to company or funding body’s requirements
3.5 Report is provided punctually to agreed deadlines
 


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course, you will be able to assess a film script and provide constructive feedback on  construction, style and content. You will be also be able to evaluate changes that are made and write a script report.


Details of Learning Activities

In this course, you learn through:
 

1. In-class activities:
• lectures
• industry speakers
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• class exercises to review discussions/lectures
• analysis/critique of students’ writings

2. Out-of-class activities:
• independent project based work
• writing and reading assignments
• online and other research
• independent study
 


Teaching Schedule

Week Class Content Assessment Due  
1

You will be given a draft of a feature script which will be the basis for the class exercises and assessments throughout the course.

Techniques on how to read a script
 


 
 
2 Script theme
Identify what it is and how the writer conveys it.

Introduce the Screen Australian external reader’s report template (this will be the basis for your final assessment task).

   
3 The protagonist and other characters    
4 The protagonist
The conflicts
Identify all the different types in the script and how well they are used.

 
 
5 Identify the script’s turning points in relation to the protagonist and other main characters. Assessment 1: Critique of Turning Points  
6 The action line and the emotional line of the protagonist and the other main characters.    
7 Dialogue    
8 We start to edit the script here. We will begin with the plot structure, theme and character.

The concept of ‘market ready’, how it’s a term currently used by funding providers and producers, what’s really meant by it and how to work with it.

Assessment 2: Graphing action and emotional lines  
9 Sub plots    
10 Editing dialogue
 
   
11

Communication between editor and writer

Fishbowl exercise*

   
  Mid-semester break: 21 September – 2 October    
12 Presentations
You will each present your editing notes to the class for feedback.
   
13
Presentations
You will each present your editing notes to the class for feedback.
   
14 Presentations
You will each present your editing notes to the class for feedback.
   
15 Guest lecturer Assessment 3: Editor’s report  
16 Course review    


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

At the beginning of the semester you will be given:

  • A draft of a feature screenplay
  • Notes from UK script develop Stephen Cleary about his approach to editing
  • Screen Australia guidelines for external script readers writing reports on feature films. 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your written script assessment  tasks.


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessment to a satisfactory standard.
You will receive feedback on all assessment and where indicated, you will receive a grade. Graded assessment tasks are equally weighted and will determine your final result for this course.

ASSESSMENT

1. Summary and Critique of Turning Points (Mon 3 August or Wed 5 August)
You will describe the major turning points in a given script and assess their effectiveness.

2. Graphing action and emotional plot lines (Mon 24 August or Wed 26 August)
You will produce a graph that plots the action of the main story in the script. In addition, you will produce another graph that shows the emotional stories of the main characters.

3. Editor’s script report (Mon 26 or Wed 28 October)
Using the Screen Australia reader’s report template provided, you will produce a formal editor’s report on the given feature script that you have been working with throughout the semester.

Your report will be between 1500 and 2000 words in length and will address the categories provided in the template. It will:

  • demonstrate an understanding of the writer’s intention
  • identify the script’s strengths and weaknesses in its use of characters, plot and theme
  • propose changes, possibilities and strategies for further development
  • assess the script’s viability
  • assess its market strength.

Assessment submission
You will submit your 1500-2000 word report as an email attachment in either Word or RTF to your teacher. Included in your attachment will be a signed cover sheet.
Please see the program blackboard site for copies of cover sheets and instructions on how to set and use digital signatures. Your teacher may also request hard copies of your assessments.

This assessment is also graded.

The grades used are as follows:

HDI Competency with high distinction
CDI Competency with distinction
CC Competency with credit
CAG Competent graded
NYC Not yet complete
DNS Did not submit
 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. This is available through the course contact in Program Administration

Other Information

Cover Sheet for Submissions:
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications

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

Feedback:
You will receive verbal and written feedback on your work. Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=9pp3ic9obks7

Student Progress:
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.
Student progress policy: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=vj2g89cve4uj1

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. Special consideration, appeals and discipline : http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity : http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview