Course Title: Write for children's television

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2020

Course Code: COMM7360C

Course Title: Write for children's television

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: Dan Nixon
E: dan.nixon@rmit.edu.au

Teacher: Alyssa Smedley
E: alyssa.smedley@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

None

Course Description

Write for children's television is taught within the course Children's TV, which is made up of two competencies Write for children's television and Design animation and digital visual effects. Children's TV is a key component of the local industry, and this course delivers the skills and knowledge required to write engaging children's television and to contribute to the design of animation and digital visual effects for children's screen productions.   This competency Write for children's television (PSWTVC609) is delivered and assessed with Design animation and digital visual effects (CUAANM503).  


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

PSWTVC609 Write for children's television

Element:

1. Identify concept for a children's television series

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 concept in a team

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. Plot episode

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. Develop script

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 successful completion of this course, you will have developed the skills and knowledge required to write engaging children's television and to contribute to the design of animation and digital visual effects for children's screen productions. You will build your understanding and overview of the importance of children's television both locally and internationally.


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

Note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of resources. 

SEMESTER ONE

Week beginning

Class content

Assessment

Competency and Elements

Week 1

12 Feb

Overview of the course. 

Overview of children's television.

 

PSWTVC609

1, 2, 3, 4

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Week 2

19 Feb

Sesame Street and a history of children's television. 

 

PSWTVC609

1, 2, 3, 4

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Week 3

26 Feb

Focus on preschool - Part 1

Knowing your audience

 

PSWTVC609

1, 2, 3, 4

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Week 4

4 Mar

Focus on 6 - 12 - Part 1

Knowing your audience

Assessment Task 1 due

 

PSWTVC609

1, 2, 3, 4

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Week 5

11 Mar

Time spent in development workshop groups. 

 

 

PSWTVC609

1, 2, 3

CUAANM503

1, 2

Week 6

18 Mar

Focus on preschool - Part 2

Time spent in development workshop groups. 

 

PSWTVC609

1, 2, 3

CUAANM503

1, 2

Week 7

25 Mar

Focus on 6 - 12 - Part 2

Time spent in development workshop groups. 

 

PSWTVC609

1, 2, 3, 4

CUAANM503

1, 2

Week 8

1 Apr

Children's Television in Australia

Time spent in development workshop groups

 

PSWTVC609

1, 2, 3

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3

 

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

 

 

Week 9

15 Apr

Focus on tweens and teens - Part 1

Time spent in development workshop groups

 

PSWTVC609

1, 2, 3

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3

Week 10

22 Apr

Focus on animation - class 1 with Alyssa Smedley

Animation techniques and styles - 2D animation, 2.5D animation, 3D animation, stop motion.

The animation pipeline.

 

PSWTVC609

2, 3, 4

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Week 11

29 Apr

Focus on animation - class 2 with Alyssa Smedley

Visualising a story

Storyboarding  

 

PSWTVC609

2, 3, 4

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Week 12

6 May

Focus on tweens and teens - Part 2

Time spent in development workshop groups

 

 

PSWTVC609

2, 3, 4

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3, 4

Week 13

13 May

Live action production

Time spent in development workshop groups

 

PSWTVC609

2, 3, 4

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3, 4

Week 14

20 May

The global world of children's television

 Assessment Task 2 due 

Friday 22nd May

PSWTVC609

1, 2, 3, 4

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Week 15

27 May

No scheduled class meeting: semester review TBA

 

 

 

 

SEMESTER TWO

Week beginning

Class content

Assessment

Competency and Elements

Week 1

8 July

 

Children's television pitch bibles

What the industry wants and pitching your ideas

 

PSWTVC609

1, 2, 3, 4

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Week 2

15 July

 

Story conference 1

 

PSWTVC609

2, 3, 4

CUAANM503

3, 4, 5

Week 3

22 July

Story conference 2

 Assessment Task 3 due

PSWTVC609

2, 3, 4

CUAANM503

3, 4, 5

Week 4

29 July

 

Story conference 3

 

PSWTVC609

2, 3, 4

CUAANM503

3, 4, 5

Week 5

5 Aug

 

Formatting scripts for kid's TV

 

 

PSWTVC609

3, 4

CUAANM503

3, 4, 5

Week 6

12 Aug

 

Writing Dialogue for Preschoolers

Meter and Rhyme

Song

The role of education in children's television

 

PSWTVC609

3, 4

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Week 7

19 Aug

 

Writing Dialogue for 6 - 12's

 

PSWTVC609

3, 4

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Week 8

26 Aug

 

Writing comedy for kids 

 

PSWTVC609

3, 4

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

 

Mid-semester break Monday 31 August to Friday 4 September inclusive

 

 

Week 9

9 Sep

 

Design week 1

Characters and World

 

PSWTVC609

3, 4

CUAANM503

4, 5

Week 10

16 Sep

 

Design week 2

Brand and ecosystem

 

PSWTVC609

3, 4

CUAANM503

4, 5

Week 11

23 Sep

 

Script readings

Assessment task 4 due 

PSWTVC609

4

CUAANM503

4, 5

Week 12

30 Sep

Script readings

 

 

PSWTVC609

4

CUAANM503

4, 5

Week 13

7 Oct

 

Pitch practice and final feedback

 

Assessment task 5 due 

PSWTVC609

3, 4

CUAANM503

4, 5

Week 14

14 Oct

 

PITCH WEEK!

 

PSWTVC609

1, 2, 3, 4

CUAANM503

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Week 15

21 Oct

 

No scheduled class meeting: course review TBA

 

 

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

None


References

See Canvas for resources.


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 for this course is ongoing throughout the year. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, maintaining a workbook, 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: Children's Television Workbook 1

Due Week 4 (on Canvas Friday 6 March)

This workbook contains a combination of research activities, development activities, and long-form question and answer. 

Assessment 2: Children's Television Workbook 2

Due Week 14 (on Canvas Friday 22 May)

Please provide evidence of the development of your own children’s television concept/concepts, capturing insights and development notes gained through our in-class workshopping, as well as

through your own research and creative practice.

 

Assessment 3: First Draft Bible

Due Week 3, Semester 2 (on Canvas Friday 24 July)

For this assessment you are expected to write a first draft pitch bible for your original children’s television series.

Assessment 4: Original Script 

Due Week 11, Semester 2 (on Canvas Friday 25 September)

For this assessment you are expected to write a pilot script, or multiple scripts for your own original children’s television concept to a second or third draft standard. 

 

Assessment 5: Design Bible

Due Week 13, Semester 2 (on Canvas Friday 9 October)

For this assessment you are expected to complete a final and fully designed pitch bible for your own original children’s television series.

 

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