Course Title: Evaluate scripts for development and production

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2020

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: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6160 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Course Contact: Penny Johnson

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815

Course Contact Email: svdsc.mac@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Tim Marshall

timothy.marshall@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

 

Feb 12 & 14

Introduction and Overview of Semester and Assessments

Script Analysis Exercise

  

Week 2

 

Feb 19 & 21

 

Conventions, Formats and Rules for Film and TV scripts

Revisiting 3-act Structure and how to breakdown and analyse structure in Feature Films

 

Week 3

 

Feb 26 & 28

Scripts and Writer's Statements provided for Assessment 1

Meeting with Teacher (as Screen Agency/Producer) for Assessment Task 1

A look at Screen Australia and Film Victoria development application and Development Proposals.

  

Week 4

 

Mar 4 & 6

Intro to Script Reports

Identifying strengths and weaknesses of a script

Industry Q&A – Professional Script consultant - Feature Film (AU) - Lynne Vincent McCarthy

  

Week 5

 

Mar 11 & 13

Analysis and Evaluation of a TV Pilot - Script to Screen

Breaking down TV script structure.

Industry Q&A – Professional Script editor & writer - TV (AU) - Magda Wozniak

 

Week 6

 

Mar 18 & 20

Script Reads and Class Analysis

Character arcs and Supporting character purpose

Identifying a strongly constructed scene

In Class Time for Assessment 1 - Consults with Teacher Available

 

Week 7

 

Mar 25 & 27

Development Strategies 

Assessing a script’s readiness for production/market readiness and identifying audience

Industry Q&A - Screen Agency Script Assessor & Development Producer: Christopher Sharp

 

Week 8

 

Apr 1 & 3

Strategies for development of a script

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

ASSESSMENT 1 Part 1 due: Script report

 

 

Mid-semester break: Monday 6 April to Monday 13 April inclusive 

 

Week 9

 

Apr 15 & 17

Assessment 2 – Assigning student pairs. Students to provide a short film script and writer's statement for evaluation.

Assessment 2 - Meetings with Teacher (as Screen Agency/Producer)

Strategies and Frameworks for Script Development

Prep for Follow-Up meeting with Writer for Assessment #1

ASSESSMENT 1 due: Script report

 

Week 10

Apr 22 & 24

 Assessment 1 - Follow Up Writer's Meetings (during class time)

ASSESSMENT 1 Part 2 due: Follow Up Writer's Meetings

Week 11

 

Apr 29 & May 1

Writer's Meetings #1

ASSESSMENT 2 due: Writer's meetings start 

Week 12

 

May 6 & 8

Writer's Meetings #2

ASSESSMENT 2 Continued

Week 13

 

May 13 & 15

Writer's Meetings #3

ASSESSMENT 2 Continued

 

Week 14

 

May 20 & 22

Assessment Task #3 - Knowledge Quiz (during class time)

ASSESSMENT 3 Due: Knowledge Quiz

ASSESSMENT 2 Part 2 Due: Summary Script Report and Self Reflection

Week 15

 

May 27 & 29

No class meetings: semester review TBC

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

None


References

Resources are available on Canvas


Other Resources

You will 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.   The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:   The Learning Lab  https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab   The Study Support Hub https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub


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

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task 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 through Canvas for full assessment criteria.

Assessment 1: Script Report and Follow Up Writer’s Meeting

Due: Script report due Weeks 8 & 9,  Fridays 3 & 17 April, meetings to follow as advised

Completing this task will demonstrate your ability respond to an early draft script and make informed recommendations on improvements for later drafts. 

Assessment 2: Writer’s Meeting, Summary Script Report, and Self-Reflection

Due: Weeks 11-13: Writers Meeting assessments completed during class time (by arrangement with teacher); Week 14, Friday 22 May,  students to submit summary script report and self-reflection to Canvas.

Completing this assessment task will demonstrate your ability to give feedback on a draft script in person. You will need to apply specific communication techniques and deliver sensitive information in a thoughtful and caring manner.   

Assessment 3:  Knowledge Quiz

Due: Week 14, Friday 22 May

Completing this assessment task will demonstrate your knowledge of film and television script conventions and formats, and industry script evaluation requirements.

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Once you have achieved competency for all assessments in a unit of competency, you will receive an overall result. 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 from your teacher. If the resubmission is deemed unsatisfactory, the matter will be referred to the Program Coordinator.

Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:

CA: Competency Achieved
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 matrices are available through Program Administration.

Other Information

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.   Information about your studies You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.   https://www.rmit.edu.au/students   Assessment Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):   https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/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.   https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity   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.     Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.   https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview