Course Title: Write episode of a television series
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2021
Course Code: COMM7350C
Course Title: Write episode of a television series
Important Information:
Not applicable
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 4383
Course Contact Email: penny.johnson@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher:
Dan Nixon
Damian Robb
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. You are advised to complete OART5005C Critique cultural works, which focuses on television content, before doing this unit.
Course Description
This unit explores the skills and knowledge required to write an episode of an existing television series or serial. Television script writing is highly collaborative and requires writers to be able to work effectively with story editors, script editors and script producers. The ability to work to deadlines, meet the production requirements of a particular show and develop story material creatively and efficiently in a pressured environment are some of the essential skills required by successful screenwriters, and you'll practise those across the semester.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
PSWCOR602 Write episode of a television series |
Element: |
1. Develop story in a team |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Establish a sustainable premise suited for a younger audience. 1.2 Identify the market, potential producers, broadcasters and funding opportunities for the series 1.3 Clarify genre, format and narrative conventions of the series 1.4 Ensure content is appropriate to the television classification and other cross-platform applications 1.5 Develop major story and character arcs for the series 1.6 Consider any industry standards, regulatory and social and cultural impacts |
Element: |
2. Develop scene breakdowns |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Collaborate with other screenwriters to clarify goals and vision for the concept and establish timelines for the development of the concept 2.2 Contribute to the development of a synopsis and treatment that clearly and dramatically tells the story 2.3 Develop story and character further, to create depth and complexity 2.4 Ensure themes are creatively integrated into the narrative 2.5 Contribute to the development of subplots that enhance the premise and themes 2.6 Maintain open and effective communication with the team during the development process |
Element: |
3. Develop scripts |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Work collaboratively in a story team to plot the episode to program requirements, using effective story structure, characters, character arcs and story conventions. 3.2 Write scene breakdown that clearly conveys plot, character arcs, story conventions and style 3.3 Plot scene breakdown to required timelines. |
Element: |
4. Finalise scripts for television episode |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Write scenes that convey plot, characters and character arcs as agreed in scene breakdown 4.2 Ensure dialogue is character-specific, scenes advance the narrative and the exposition is dramatically integrated 4.3 Consult with script editor, screenwriting team or other relevant people on any proposed changes to plot or character 4.4 Complete script to the agreed dramatic and stylistic conventions, ensuring that any industry standards, regulatory and social and cultural impacts are addressed |
Learning Outcomes
On completing this unit, you will have developed the craft skills required to collaboratively plot, develop and write storylines, scene breakdowns and early script drafts of a television series or serial.
Details of Learning Activities
In this course, you will 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
• 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 |
Dates |
Content |
Assessment due |
1 |
N/A |
||
2 |
Introduction to the semester’s work and assessment. From storyline to first draft - the process. Synopsis, treatment, scene breakdown, drafts. What makes a good concept for a television show? Identifying the story engine. Identify TV series suitable to write for. Brainstorming, story generation and story conferencing. |
||
3 |
The Series Bible – premise, logline, synopsis, characters and character arcs, story arcs, genre, audience, format, theme. Brainstorm and workshop episode ideas. |
Assessment 1 |
|
4 |
Pitch episode ideas |
Assessment 1 cont'd |
|
5 |
Pitch episode ideas cont'd |
||
6 |
Episode structure Plotting A and B stories Set Up and Pay Off The Scene Breakdown |
||
7 |
|
Assessment 2 |
|
8 |
Scene Structure - Dramatic question, wants, needs, goals, values, conflict, subtext, character revelation, exposition, power shifts, drama |
Assessment 2 cont'd |
|
Mid-semester break: Monday 30 August to Friday 3 September inclusive |
|||
9 |
Dialogue Big Print |
||
10 |
Editing |
||
11 |
Redrafting |
||
| 12 | Table reads |
Assessment 3 |
|
13 |
Table reads |
Assessment 3 cont'd |
|
14 |
Table reads cont'd |
Assessment 3 cont'd |
|
15 |
No scheduled class: semester review TBC |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
None |
References
Resources are available in Canvas. |
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.
While there are no prescribed texts it is strongly recommended you make use of the recommended references. A list of recommended reading and viewing will be up on Canvas.
The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:
The learning Lab
www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
English for uni workshops
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/workshops/english-uni-workshops
Overview of Assessment
Assessment 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 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: Pitching a story
(Due Week 4)
You will be required to develop a pitch for a television series, either Australian or International. You will need to research the writing requirements for the chosen show and ensure that you select an appropriate genre based on your team discussions. Your team for this semester will assign each other to work roles within a television story team.
Assessment 2: Episode Outline
(Due Week 8)
You will write an episode outline which will use the appropriate style and conventions of the series, demonstrate an understanding of episode and scene structure, and advance the story and character development as agreed in your story team plotting meeting.
Assessment 3: Write a TV Episode
(Due Week 14)
You are to write a half-hour episode based on the script outline and scene allocation from Assessment Task 2.
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