Course Title: Evaluate scripts for development and production

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2019

Course Code: COMM7349C

Course Title: Evaluate scripts for development and production

Important Information:

This course will be delivered through face-to-face classes, interaction with industry mentors, and the learning support material and resources in Canvas.

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6160 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Course Contact: Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email: mcvet@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teachers:

Tim Marshall

timothy.marshall@rmit.edu.au

Dan Nixon

dan.nixon@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

Enrolment in this core second year course at RMIT requires you to have completed all first year courses.

Course Description

This is a course aimed at developing your burgeoning skills as a script developer and script consultant. In the fragmented world of scripted entertainment, script consultancy is an essential skill and a high-growth industry.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

PSWCOR601 Evaluate scripts for development and production

Element:

1. Clarify script evaluation requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify the purpose and production for the script evaluation 1.2 Clarify agency or production house specific requirements for script readings and reports, including any requirements for follow up meetings with the writer 1.3 Review accompanying statements to clarify writer/s' concept

Element:

2. Evaluate the script

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify story, plot, character motivation, style and conventions 2.2 Consider the dramatic potential of the script's concept 2.3 Identify the potential of the story and characters to engage an audience 2.4 Evaluate challenges of the script's plot, character, concept and style 2.5 Assess the script's readiness for production 2.6 Determine strategies to address in subsequent development 2.7 Assess the strength and distinctiveness of the story

Element:

3. Report on the script

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Write a report outlining the script's strengths and weaknesses 3.2 Estimate work required to redevelop the script to production quality 3.3 Outline strategies and/or options for rewriting and redeveloping the script 3.4 Format the report to company or agency requirements and deliver to agreed timelines 3.5 Participate in follow up meetings with writers to provide face to face feedback as required


Learning Outcomes


In completion of this course, you'll have the skills to write coverage for producers and funding bodies in Australia and worldwide, and to act as a script developer for screenwriters and producers on the local and international scene, bringing your well-honed skills of script development and writer psychology to the table.


Details of Learning Activities

In this course, you learn through:

1. In-class activities:

  • lectures 
  • teacher directed group activities/projects 
  • class exercises to review discussions/lectures 
  • 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 beginning

Class Content

Assignments

Week 1

11 Feb

Introduction and Overview of Semester and Assessments

Script Analysis Exercise

 

Week 2

18 Feb

A look at Screen Australia development application and Development Proposals.

Script Redrafts – a case study

Review of genre, style and conventions

 

Week 3

25 Feb

Identifying the writer’s concept and their perceived needs

Industry Q&A: TBA

 

Week 4

4 Mar

Writing a development proposal review

Communicating Feedback

Intro to Script Reports

ASSESSMENT 1 due: Development proposal review

Week 5

11 Mar

Introducing Assessment Task 2

The purpose of a script report and its fundamental features

Industry Q&A – Professional Script consultant TBA

 

Week 6

18 Mar

Script Reads and Class Analysis

Identifying strengths and weaknesses of a script

 

Week 7

25 Mar

Production considerations

Assessing a script’s readiness for production

Industry Q&A: TBA

 

Week 8

1 Apr

Strategies for development of a script

Redrafting – an in-depth case study on changes in the drafting process

 

Week 9

8 Apr

Conventions of structuring and writing a script report

Introducing Assessment Task 3 – Assigning student pairs

Strategies and Frameworks for Script Development

ASSESSMENT 2 due: Script report

 

Week 10

15 April

NO CLASS on Good Friday)

Prep for Writer’s Meetings

 

 

19 APRIL – 26 APRIL:  EASTER & MID-SEMESTER BREAK

 

Week 11

29 Apr

Techniques for delivering feedback face-to-face

Project Development Case Study

 

 

Week 12

6 May

Writers Meetings #1

ASSESSMENT 3 due: Writer’s meetings start 

Week 13

13 May

Writers Meetings #2

ASSESSMENT 3 Continued

 

Week 14

20 May

Writers Meetings #3

ASSESSMENT 3 Continued

Week 15

27 May (for Fri class)

Writers Meetings #4

ASSESSMENT 3 Continued


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

You require access to a computer and to the internet for this course. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, script consultations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks. 


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task. You should refer to the assessment brief which is available on Canvas for full assessment criteria.

If you have not completed an assessment task to a satisfactory standard you will be given an opportunity to resubmit that task within one week of receiving feedback. You will have one opportunity to resubmit your work.

Assessment 1: Development proposal review

Due: Week 4 

Assessment 2: Script report

Due: Week 9

Assessment 3: Writer's meeting

Due: Weeks 12 - 15 (by arrangement with teacher)

Detailed assessment briefs for these tasks are available on Canvas.

Once you have achieved competency for the unit, you will receive an overall grade for the course (refer to Canvas for the graded rubric with specified criteria). This rubric will relate to all assessments and your overall performance in the course.

Grades used in this course are as follows:

  • CHD Competent with High Distinction
  • CDI 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

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters.

Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

Assessment Feedback
You will receive spoken and written feedback on all your work. Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy designed to assist you in achieving your learning potential.

Adjustments to Assessment (eg. applying for an extension of time):
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment satisfactorily by the due date, you can choose to apply for an adjustment to your assessment. RMIT University offers a range of adjustments designed to support you in your studies, including an extension of time to complete the assessment.

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.

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.

Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) RCC applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview