Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

NB: Information in this Unit Outline is subject to change prior to commencement of semester

Film and television scriptwriting occurs within specific socioeconomic frameworks and is supported by specific industry practices. Working within these models, you will become aware of the scope and limitation of scriptwriting for film and television.

Aims

The unit aims to give you an understanding of scriptwriting processes and structural concepts by offering you a framework and strategies for the development of a short drama script.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Understand how to write for visual media.
2. Understand narrative structure.
3. Write scripts targeted towards specific media and markets.

Content

This unit addresses content such as the role of scriptwriters in the industry; the elements of an effective drama script, dramatic structures for feature films, short films and telemovies, dramatic structures for television series and serials, mythic structure, experimental structure, visual evocation, characterization, script layout and language, building and developing scenes, writing dialogue, writing for animation, script editing, as well as grants and funding, and writing for television.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit will consist of lectures and tutorials. The lectures include some formal instruction, illustrated by video clips and short film screenings. Tutorials will usually take the form of script workshop sessions. You are expected to participate in discussions and workshop exercises in a positive spirit of learning. The unit program may be revised, depending on the number of students.

Assessment

LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.

Faculty Assessment Information
To access the Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information see the Blackboard site for this unit.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
During tutorials you will receive formative feedback through practical exercises and individual or class discussions. Weighting: 0%

Assessment name: Creative Work
Description: Scene breakdown of your proposed original script.
Relates to objectives: All
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid semester

Assessment name: Creative Work
Description: An Original Script for a short drama or an approved concept.
Relates to objectives: All
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

There is no required text for this unit.

Recommended Reading

Aronson, Linda (2000). Scriptwriting Updated: New and Conventional Ways of Writing for the Screen. AFTRS/Allen and Unwin.

Cooper, Dona (1994). Writing Great Screenplays for Film and TV. Macmillan, New York.

Froug, William (1992). Screen-Writing Tricks of the Trade. Los Angeles, Silman-James Press.

Goldberg, Lee and Rabkin, William (2003). Successful Television Writing. J. Wiley, New Jersey.

Hauge, Michael (2011) Writing Screenplays That Sell. Collins Reference: New York.

King, Stephen (2001) On Writing: a memoir of the craft. Pocket Books: New York.

Seger, Linda (2010) (3rd ed) Making a Good Script Great. Silman-James Press: Beverly Hills CA.

Thompson, Kristin (2003). Storytelling in Film and Television. Harvard UP, Cambridge.

Vogler, Christopher (1998) The Writer's Journey-Mythic Structure for Writers (2nd ed). Michael Wiese Productions.

The fortnightly industry trade magazine, Encore, is in the university library at P790.20994 Issues date back to 1988.

www.thescriptshadow.com
www.screenhub.com.au
www.filmscriptwriting.com/samplesscripts.html
www.imsdb.com
www.australianshortfilms.com/scripts.html
www.awg.com.au
www.TableReadMyScreenplay.com
www.script-o-rama.com
www.wikipedia.org.com
www.screenaustralia.com
www.simplyscripts.com


Further recommendations will be provided by lecturers and tutors.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 02-Apr-2013