Course Title: Write for online platforms

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2024

Course Code: COMM7413C

Course Title: Write for online platforms

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.

 

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6180 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Course Contact: Alan Woodruff

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4307

Course Contact Email: alan.woodruff@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher:

Kath Dolheguy

katherine.dolheguy@rmit.edu.au

 

Nominal Hours: 85

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

The unit applies to scriptwriters either working freelance on their own projects, or who have been commissioned to develop concepts and short branding or advertising scripts for a range of social media and online platform videos, including developing short form narratives and content.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

NAT11115008 Write for online platforms

Element:

1. Establish online engagement requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify direction and scope of any essential content requirements, the online platform to be used, and theme and brand/s to be featured 1.2 Identify target audience for online engagement 1.3 Conduct research to identify and analyse characteristics and online habits of the target audience to create content aligned to intended style 1.4 Identify and analyse target audience's common responses to triggers, interventions, and preferred and avoided behaviours on online platforms and applications 1.5 Clarify and confirm requirements with relevant individuals as required

Element:

2. Develop concept for online platform

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Develop story that conveys the main theme and message of the desired content 2.2 Clarify story and character elements 2.3 Confirm content is appropriate to the online and other cross-platform applications 2.4 Consider any industry standards, regulatory and social and cultural impacts 2.5 Develop the basic concept of the scripts

Element:

3. Outline the short script/s

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Collaborate with other screenwriters or other relevant people to plot the narrative short form material to online engagement requirements, using effective story structure, characters, character arcs and story conventions 3.2 Write script outlines that clearly convey plot, character arcs, story conventions and style or call to action for branded content 3.3 Complete script outline/s to required timelines

Element:

4. Develop and finalise short script/s and recording

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Write scenes that incorporate plot, characters and character arcs as agreed in script outlines 4.2 Confirm the dialogue is character-specific, scenes advance the narrative and the exposition is dramatically integrated 4.3 Check theme/s and branding are creatively integrated into the narrative 4.4 Make recordings of script/s using required cast and digital technology 4.5 Consult with colleagues or other relevant people for feedback, and apply relevant feedback 4.6 Complete script/s and recording to requirements, ensuring that any industry standards, regulatory and social and cultural impacts are addressed


Learning Outcomes


On completion of this unit,  you will be able to plot narrative short form material to online engagement requirements, using effective story structure, characters, character arcs and story conventions.


Details of Learning Activities

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.

Week

Content

Assessment due

1

IN CLASS: 

  • Introduction to the semester’s work and 3 x assessment tasks.
  • What makes a good concept for online delivery?
  • You explore an online personality/brand

HOMEWORK - AT1

 

2

IN CLASS: 

  • Conventions of Online Content Part 1 & 2
  • Case studies 
  • Types of Scripts 
  • Draft your ideas - bullet point drafts/alternate lines 

EQUIPMENT:

Guest teacher Stu Mannion to go over use of

  • DJI Gimbles 
  • green screen 
  • sound 
  • basic lighting 

HOMEWORK - AT1

 

3

IN CLASS: 

  • Case Studies
  • You will present your research subject & your 60 second script to the class - this is the requirement for AT1.  (this may be a combo of whole class/feedback clusters)
  • Feedback Clusters 

ASSESMENT 

HOMEWORK - AT1

  • Record your video
  • Submit your assessment 

Assessment 1 due

4

IN CLASS: 

AT2 Begins

  • Client briefing for your 30-60 second script - requirements of the client brief
  • Each student will take notes for Template 2
  • Complete as much as you can of Template 2 in class
  • Presenting your drafts to a client - what to present/what questions to ask/how to take feedback/navigating clients 

 

5

This class falls on Wednesday 14th August. The GENR8 event is happening from 9AM - 4PM, so plans for today's class are TBC.

Suggested activities: 

  • Use this time to write your AT2 script 
  • You are required to email your script to Kath by end of class today 5PM
  • Kath will provide feedback via email acting as your client before next Wednesday (week 6)

 

6

TBC Guest teacher to discuss analytics & data on social media 

HOMEWORK - AT2

  • Redraft your AT2 script 
  • Complete Template 2 

 

7

IN CLASS:

  • Client feedback sessions
  • Final presentations of 30-60 second scripts
  • Finish Template 2 Actions

Assessment 2 due

 

MID SEMESTER BREAK - 2nd - 8th September 

 

8

AT3 Begins!

  • Group work: multi-part narrative
  • Form the group you will work in for AT3
  • Case Studies - Part 4
  • We discuss creating a multi part narrative - how to plot, track story & revisions
  • Each group will brainstorm their narrative concept in class 

HOMEWORK

  • Each group must prepare a synopsis of each episode and confirm who is writing which ep and present to class next week 
  • Please note: Each group must get approval before moving to next stage

 

 

 

9

IN CLASS:

 

10

*This week each Group must present their project to class to get approval to continue* 

IN CLASS:

Multi-part narrative: table readings

After our readings: discussion and redrafting

Pre-prod meetings - aesthetic/shooting style/tests & feedback/tonal testing (proofs)

*Approval required to continue to production stage*

 

11

This is a designated working week for group projects. You are not required to be in the classroom. 

AT3: 

  • Multi-part narrative: recording and editing
  • Low contact class: If you want to chat about your projects - organise a time with Kath  

 

12

This is a designated working week for group projects. You are not required to be in the classroom.  

AT3: 

  • Multi-part narrative: recording and editing
  • Low contact class: If you want to chat about your projects - organise a time with Kath  

 

 

13

This is a designated working week for group projects. You are not required to be in the classroom. 

AT3: 

Group projects continue with: 

  • Final edits - collate and review
  • Low contact class: Anyone who wants feedback at edit stage can schedule time to see Kath 

Assessment 3 due

14

IN CLASS: 

  • AT3 - completed series due!!
  • Each group presents their Multi Part Narrative  in class!!

GUEST: 

  • Screen Australia / Vic Screen Online (TBC)

WRAP UP

  • Feedback on 'Online' subject to teacher. 

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


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. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include participation in class exercises, oral presentations and practical writing tasks. Full assessment briefs will be provided.

 


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 Task 1: 1 x 60 second script, due Week 3

For this assessment you will write a 60 second script for a current online personality or brand.   

You will research an online personality or brand who has a strong social media presence.   

After conducting this research, you will write a 60 second script that fits within the brand identity or voice of the personality or brand.   

The 60 second script will be a narrative, sketch or a hybrid of narrative and call to action on behalf of a brand. Depending on the personality or brand, you may write an informational piece.   

You will also need to complete ‘Template 1’ that conveys the concept of the script including main theme and message, identifies the intended target audience and the intended online platform. On the treatment you must identify why this narrative is appropriate for the audience & platform  

You will share your 60 second script in class to receive feedback from your colleagues and redraft. 

Assessment Task 2: 1 x 30-60 second script, due Week 7

For this assessment you will write ONE script.  In class you will receive a brief that details a ‘CLIENT’ who needs ONE (1) piece of online content created.   

The script will need to align to the requirements of the brief.   

Once you understand the brief, you will conduct research to understand competitors and content that align to your client and their intended outcomes.   

You may choose to emulate or use similar devices to engage audience as your competitors. You may choose to do something different. Whatever you choose to do, you will need to provide a rationale of why you made the choices you did to address the needs of the brief.   

The 30-60 second script will be a narrative, sketch or a hybrid of narrative and call to action on behalf of the client's brand. Depending on the personality or brand, you may write an informational piece.   

You will complete Template 2 that conveys the concept of the script including main theme and message, identifies the intended target audience and the intended online platform. On the treatment you must identify why this narrative is appropriate for the audience & platform  

You will share your 30-60 sec script in class to receive feedback from your colleagues and redraft. 

Assessment 3: Multi-part narrative Group Project, due Week 13

For this assessment you will collaborate to write and record a series of scripts to create a single narrative.   

This project is a multi-part narrative devised, written and recorded by collaboration in groups of 3-4.  As a group you will work together to create an original narrative to be told across several parts of 45-60 seconds in length.   

You will devise and plot your narrative together and then allocate each script to be written individually before taking feedback as a group and then redrafting.    

For this project, you will choose any online platform of your choice.   

The multi-part narrative can be:  

- stand-alone story – straight original fictional narrative   

- narrative content based around a brand - real or self-created  

Each group member will complete and submit Template 3 individually, to identify audience, platform conventions and track your feedback. The template also asks you to reflect on your collaborative process.  

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