Course Title: Write for children's television
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2013
Course Code: COMM7324
Course Title: Write for children's television
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6125 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting
Course Contact : Program Administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254815
Course Contact Email:mcvet@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Cameron Clarke
Phone: 9925 4908
Email: Cameron.clarke@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
Required Prior Study
At RMIT, you are required to have completed all first year core competencies before enrolling in this elective course.
Course Description
Write for Children’s Television covers the concept and practice of writing television programmes specifically for the “C” classification age group (14 years and under).
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
ASWCTV611A Write for children's television |
Element: |
3. Write a script |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Scene sequences are created which move the story |
Element: |
1. Create a concept for a children’s television series |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Sustainable premise is established suitable for a younger audience |
Element: |
2. Further develop concept |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 A writing team is formed with clear goals and common vision |
Element: |
4. Develop another draft |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Areas needing further development are identified in conjunction with other team members |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- translate text stories into television narrative
- work up story concepts for children’s television series using the story conferencing process
- write television scripts of a stipulated length for existing or proposed children’s television series
- compile a comprehensive, professional quality folio of work to take into the children’s television marketplace.
Details of Learning Activities
In this course, you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• class exercises
• individual and group project work
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
2. Out-of-class activities:
• independent and group project based work
• online and other research
• discussion and comment via blackboard
• independent study
Teaching Schedule
| Week | Content | Assessment due | Elements |
| 1 | • Traditional stories – fairytales etc. • Contemporary fairytales • Tradition and the evolution of storytelling for children • Violence |
1 | |
| 2 | • Parameters – fantasy and reality in story telling for children • Childrens genres |
1 | |
| 3 | • The series bible • Brainstorming / Concept generation and story conferencing / Originating and developing ideas • Creating a visual style • Forms of presentation – puppets, animation, live action… |
1,2 | |
| 4 | • Theme • Character Refresher – Protagonist / Antagonist |
1,2 | |
| 5 | • Synopses • Brainstorming Episodes |
1,2 | |
| 6 |
• Devising a non-narrative children’s show
|
Assessment #1 due |
1,2 |
| 7 | • Adaptation | 1,2 | |
| 8 | • Synopsis, treatment, scene breakdown | 2,3 | |
| 9 | • Character and story arcs | 2,3 | |
| 10 |
• Identifying and resolving the A and B stories
|
Assessment # 2 due |
2,3 |
| 11 | • Setups and Payoffs • Childrens television programming requirements and regulations • The childrens television market |
2,3 | |
| Mid-semester break - two weeks | |||
| 12 | • Dialogue for children • Structure |
3 | |
| 13 | • Scenes and Sequences | 3 | |
| 14 | • Pitching • Formatting • Animation |
3,4 | |
| 15 |
• Final Draft Workshop
|
Assessment #4 due | 4 |
| 16 | • From Storyline to First Draft – the process | 4 |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Any prescribed reading material will be distributed in class |
References
You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information. |
Other Resources
You will require access to a computer and to the internet
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is on going throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class discussion and exercises and through the application of learned skills and insights to your 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 essential building blocks for the more substantial summative assessment tasks. Summative assessment tasks in this unit are graded.
To demonstrate competency in this course you need to complete each one of the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard.
Formative Assessment
Assessment #1: Mini Bible – Part A
Working in groups, develop an original concept for a children’s television series including synopsis, characters, and pilot episode storyline.
Due date: Week 6
Assessment #2: Mini Bible – Part B
Working in groups, complete mini bibles with five further storylines and key moments in the series arc.
Due date: Week 10
Assessment #3: Class Exercises
Due date: Ongoing throughout semester
Summative Assessment
Assessment #4: Pilot Script
Write a 24 minute pilot script of the proposed series.
Due date: Week 15
Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment:
80 – 100% CHD High Distinction
70 – 79% CDI Distinction
60 – 69% CC Credit
50 – 59% CAG Pass
Under 50% NYC Fail
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 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 by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT
Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress 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. Special consideration, appeals and discipline
Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
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
Work Placement:
It is a requirement of this program that all students participate in authentic work-related tasks. These may be either simulated or in a real work environment. On occasion, we are approached by industry and given opportunities for students to apply for short-term placements. When these placement opportunities arise, students are required to negotiate the specific details with the relevant program coordinator or teacher. All industry placements require students, RMIT staff and host organisations to sign a written agreement prior to the commencement of the placement.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview