Course Title: Write for children's television

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2014

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:

1. Create a concept for a children’s television series

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Sustainable premise is established suitable for a younger audience
 1.2 Appropriate character arcs suitable for a younger audience are developed
 1.3 Market(s) for series is accurately identified
 1.4 Genre and format are clarified
 1.5 ‘C’ classification is ensured
 1.6 Major story arcs and character arcs appropriate to the genre, format and audience requirements are developed
 1.7 Cross platform applications are identified
 1.8 Funding opportunities are identified

Element:

2. Further develop concept

Performance Criteria:

2.1 A writing team is formed with clear goals and common vision
 2.2 Synopsis and treatment is developed which effectively tells the story in prose form
 2.3 Story and characters are further developed to create depth, complexity and dynamism
 2.4 Story is structured to heighten the narrative and conflict or comedy
 2.5 Theme is integrated into the structure of the story
 2.6 Subplots are developed which enhance the premise and themes
 2.7 Integrity of writing team is maintained through effective communication

Element:

3. Write a script

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Scene sequences are created which move the story
 3.2 Scenes are written effectively and engagingly
 3.3 Greater complexity of character is developed as story progresses
 3.4 Plot reversals are surprising but believable
 3.5 Storylines are resolved in a clear and satisfying way

Element:

4. Develop another draft

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Areas needing further development are identified in conjunction with other team members
 4.2 Formal assessment of the script, where appropriate, is undertaken
 4.3 Changes are incorporated into new draft


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. translate text stories into television narrative
  2. work up story concepts for children’s television series using the story conferencing process
  3. write television scripts of a stipulated length for existing or proposed children’s television series
  4. 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

Formative 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
Scene Breakdown

Formative Assessment # 2 due

2,3
11 Setups and Payoffs
Childrens television programming requirements and regulations
The childrens television market
  2,3
  Mid-semester break - 22 September to 3 October    
12 Dialogue for children
Structure
  3
13 Scenes and sequences   3
14 Pitching
Formatting
Animation
  3,4
15

Final draft workshop
Workshop simulation
Animation cont.

Summative Assessment #3 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. Detailed briefs and assessment rubrics will be available from your class teacher.

Formative Assessment
There are two formative assessments throughout this course. 

Assessment #1: Mini Bible – Part A (Due Wed 13 August)
Working in groups, develop an original concept for a children’s television series including synopsis, characters, and pilot episode storyline. 

Assessment #2: Mini Bible – Part B (Due Wed 10 September)
Working in groups, complete mini bibles with five further storylines and key moments in the series arc.

Summative Assessment
There is one summative assessment in this course.

Assessment #3: Pilot Script (Due Wed 29 October)
You will write a 24-minute pilot script for the proposed series. The script should work with the conventions and narrative requirements of the series and draw from the concept and bible you develop during the course. You will also have an opportunity to workshop and further develop your script during the class. Your script should be formatted according to the standards explained at the beginning of the course. 

You will email your script as a digital attachment to your teacher, along with an attached, signed cover sheet. Cover sheets, along with instructions on how to set up and use a digital signature, are included on the program blackboard site.

Grading

This course is graded. The following grades apply to courses that have competency-based assessment but also use graded assessment:

CHD Competent with High Distinction
CID Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency 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 you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

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.

Feedback
You will receive spoken and written feedback from teachers on your work. Where appropriate, this feedback will 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. Academic 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. You can apply in writing for up to a week’s extension from your course teacher. If you need a longer extension, you will need to apply for special consideration. Special consideration, appeals and discipline

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Academic Integrity and plagiarism

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