Screenwriting (11116.1)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | On-Campus |
Bruce, Canberra |
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Arts And Design |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| School Of Arts And Communications | Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit | Band 2 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 4 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan Social Work_Exclude 0905) |
Learning outcomes
After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:1. Analyse and deconstruct screen dramas in terms of structure, character and narrative principles;
2. Apply these principles when creating original dramatic texts for the screen;
3. Use industry production conventions and formats in creating dramatic texts for the screen; and
4. Evaluate and edit their own and others' work.
Graduate attributes
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
Prerequisites
None.Corequisites
None.Incompatible units
None.Equivalent units
8150 Introduction to Screenwriting AND 6879 Scriptwriting 1.Assumed knowledge
None.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 1 | 06 February 2023 | On-Campus | Dr Diana Clarke |
| 2024 | Bruce, Canberra | Semester 1 | 05 February 2024 | On-Campus | Dr Diana Clarke |
Required texts
Required reading/ viewing:
All required reading & viewing is provided via the Canvas site.
These and other films and TV shows will be referred to during the unit. They are available in the UC library, commercial outlets or online.
There is no set written text for this unit.
Specific readings suggested in relation to lecture/tutorial topics are available via the canvas site.
A few of the many websites that are useful for the wider study of scriptwriting:
http://www.awg.com.au (Australian Writers' Guild – the representative body for screenwriters)
http://www.script-o-rama.com (great archive of tv & feature screenplays)
http://www.dailyscript.com (great archive of tv & feature screenplays)
http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au (Screen Australia – premier funding body)
http://www.nfsa.gov.au (National Film and Sound Archive)
Submission of assessment items
Special assessment requirements
Screenwriting is a very technical form of writing and part of that involves the concrete stuff of where the words go on the page. Additional information about format and layout is contained in the "Standard Script Layout" available on the canvas site. This layout guide substantially follows the Screen Australia and Australian Writer's Guild recommended styles. While not exhaustive, the notes demonstrate most of the usual storytelling devices and scene transitions. We will discuss format at some length in tutorials but please note that these sample sheets are your best reference and guide.
The final assignment (the screenplay) must:
- follow the mandated house style;
- adopt correct margins;
- be single-spaced;
- have page numbers;
- be in 12 point Courier, Courier Final Draft or Courier New;
- Work that does not adhere to the house style risks losing points. Please refer to the "standard script layout" if in doubt.
Academic integrity
Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.
To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.
Use of Text-Matching Software
The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.
Participation requirements
It is anticipated that, in order to be able to pass this unit, students will need to attend at least 80% of the tutorials, particularly those weeks in which the homework items are discussed. Students will also need to engage with 80% of the online materials, including readings, viewings and particularly the lectures. Students attending/engaging less than this amount are likely to have difficulty passing this unit.
Required IT skills
Students are expected to have basic typing and familiarity with word processing programs such as Word. Students are strongly encouraged to download the free screenwriting software "Celtx" at https://www.celtx.com/index.html. Specialist scriptwriting programs such as Final Draft, though useful, are expensive and not necessary at this stage.
Students should be familiar with the internet in order to access library materials and script websites. Students must be able to post drafts and final assignments online and access email.
In-unit costs
Since the required films and texts are available from the canvas site and/or the UC Library, there need not be any further cost to the student. However, you may prefer to rent the required or recommended films from commercial outlets and to purchase some of the recommended reading texts.
Work placement, internships or practicums
None
