Availabilities:
| Location | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| Online | N/A |
Unit description
Introduces students to the theory and practice of scriptwriting with introduction to the concepts of character, plot, dialogue, and script presentation. By being exposed to and analysing examples of scripts, the student will be able to select appropriate form and content as applied to radio, film, video, television, and multimedia.
Unit content
- Introduction: finding the story; starting to write
- The screenwriting process: logline, synopsis, character profiles, beat outline, treatment, scene breakdown and screenplay
- Screen story fundamentals: archetypes; theme; genre; imagery and action; conflict
- Character: character and journey; protagonist versus antagonist; theme; goal, stakes and jeopardy; levels of conflict; creating compelling characters; relationships
- Framing the story: horizontal structure - the three act paradigm; vertical structure - main plot and subplot hierarchy
- Screen semiotics: communicating meaning, story and character through imagery
- The scene: purpose, structure and point of view; building stories from scene sequences
- Description, action and dialogue: writing for subtext
- Non linear screen story
- Adaptation
- Writing for television
- A screenwriter’s guide to the industry: the Australian context; development pathways; finding a producer; the development process; contracts and copyright; maintaining momentum
Learning outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.
| On completion of this unit, students should be able to: | GA1 | GA2 | GA3 | GA4 | GA5 | GA6 | GA7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | analyse and apply the principles employed in visual writing | Creativity | ||||||
| 2 | analyse and apply the principles of dramatic writing | Creativity | ||||||
| 3 | develop a short script to first draft, through synopsis, and treatment stages | Creativity | Knowledge of a discipline | |||||
| 4 | lay out a script according to current professional practice | Knowledge of a discipline | ||||||
| 5 | analyse and give editorial feedback on the relative merits of students' work. | Communication and social skills | ||||||
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- analyse and apply the principles employed in visual writing
- GA2: Creativity
- analyse and apply the principles of dramatic writing
- GA2: Creativity
- develop a short script to first draft, through synopsis, and treatment stages
- GA2: Creativity
- GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
- lay out a script according to current professional practice
- GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
- analyse and give editorial feedback on the relative merits of students' work.
- GA6: Communication and social skills
Prescribed texts
- No prescribed texts.
Teaching and assessment
| Teaching method |
| Lecture online 1 hour (Fortnightly) |
| Structured online learning (Weekly) |
| Assessment | |
| Logline, Synopsis and Character Profiles | 20% |
| Treatment & Writer's Notes | 25% |
| First Draft & Writer's Notes | 40% |
| Participation | 15% |
Fee information
Domestic
Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees
International
Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.