Unit Outline

This unit introduces you to the essential elements of writing for film, television and digital media. You will be taken through the process of developing a script from conception through to pre-production. You will learn about working with structure, developing characters, formatting and style conventions, and researching for both fiction and non-fiction narratives. This unit includes practical industry information and workshopping processes, with a focus on giving and receiving constructive feedback as part of a strong development process. At the end of this unit you will have a short fiction or non-fiction script developed to at least a second draft stage.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Analyse scripts from film, television and digital media from both theoretical and practical perspectives
2.	Apply theoretical and practical knowledge with industry conventions to develop original scripts
3.	Contextualise your work and others in relation to the contemporary screenwriting environment and professional practice
4.	Respond directly to feedback from teaching staff and peers to further develop your work

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	HEJ357

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	First draft of dramatic screenplay and pitch	See the MyLO site for the due date	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Pre-shoot script for documentary production and pitch	See the MyLO site for the due date	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Development Plan for major assignment	See the MyLO site for the due date	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Developed script and supporting documents	See the MyLO site for the due date	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: First draft of dramatic screenplay and pitch

Task Description:

Through weeks 2 to 5, you will develop the first draft of a short dramatic work for the screen. Your process will include pitching the concept to your peers before you begin, and responding to feedback. The completed draft will demonstrate that you have developed an original concept into a story that incorporates an understanding of genre, structure and plot, theme, character and the basics of screenplay formatting and style.
Supporting documents
You will also produce a pitch document to accompany your script; which will include a logline and a short synopsis.

Task Length:

2000 words or equivalent

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Solid structure and sense of narrative drive	LO1, LO2, LO4
2	Originality and/or resonance of concept	LO1, LO2, LO4
3	Supporting documents as per industry conventions	LO2
4	Understanding of basic screenwriting craft concepts	LO1, LO2
5	Clear writing free of spelling and grammatical errors	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Pre-shoot script for documentary production and pitch

Task Description:

Through weeks 6 to 9, you will develop a shooting script for a documentary production. Your process will include pitching the concept to your peers before you begin writing scenes and responding to feedback. The completed draft will demonstrate that you have a well-developed story idea that incorporates an understanding of research, interviewing, structure and the use of vision and sound.
Supporting documents:
You will also produce a pitch document to accompany your script, including a logline and short synopsis.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Originality and/or resonance of concept	LO1, LO2, LO4
2	Solid structure and sense of narrative drive	LO1, LO2, LO4
3	Demonstrated use of research	LO1, LO2, LO4
4	Creative use of vision and sound	LO1, LO2, LO4
5	Supporting documents as per industry conventions	LO3
6	Clear writing free of spelling and grammatical errors	LO2
7	Giving and receiving constructive feedback	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Development Plan for major assignment

Task Description:

Drawing from your development journal and what you have learned in the unit to date, you will devise a development plan to take one of your short scripts (from Assessment Task 1 or 2) to a second draft stage. This plan should incorporate second draft notes which reflect on the intentions, achievements and shortcomings of the first draft and outline how you intend to make significant improvements. You will also reflect on a key craft issue that is relevant to your work in this project and that you have researched significantly.

Task Length:

2 pages (equivalent to 600 words)

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Reflect on your impetus and influences for the project and explain how your thinking has progressed since the first draft	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Discuss how you will respond to feedback and the techniques you’ll use to further develop the script	LO4
3	Devise a realistic and effective plan for your second draft, including a timeline of tasks to be completed	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Developed script and supporting documents

Task Description:

This assessment will involve taking one of your first draft scripts to a second draft, building on all the work undertaken in the unit to date. Whether a dramatic screenplay or a shooting script for a documentary project, your second draft should represent a major step forward and not be a mere “polish”.
You will demonstrate your ability to incorporate feedback, critically evaluate your project and to change your approach as necessary. You will demonstrate an understanding of where your story sits within its genre context and how you are subverting and/or conforming to these expectations.
You will strengthen core elements of the script (eg. theme, character arc) while eliminating confusion and extraneous elements. Your writing will demonstrate clarity of expression and a strong grasp of formatting and style.

You will also produce supporting documents to accompany your script:
Dramatic screenplay – a revised pitch document
OR
Documentary script – a revised pitch document

Essay
This essay is an opportunity to discuss your script development process on a more complex and theoretical level than your development plan allowed, although you may build on ideas included there.
Contextualise your work within the current cultural climate. You should draw on readings provided to you throughout semester, but you are expected to conduct your own additional research of the relevant academic and industry literature.

Task Length:

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Developed script (2000 words or equivalent) (25%) and 1,000 words contextual essay (15%)	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.