Screenwriting (8905.3)
| Available teaching periods | Delivery mode | Location |
|---|---|---|
| View teaching periods | ||
| EFTSL | Credit points | Faculty |
| 0.125 | 3 | Faculty Of Arts And Design |
| Discipline | Study level | HECS Bands |
| Discipline Of Creative And Cultural Practice | Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit | Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021) Band 2 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021) |
Learning outcomes
On 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
Prerequisites
NoneCorequisites
None.Incompatible units
Restrictions: This unit is not open to students who have passed 8150 Introduction to Screenwriting, 6879 Scriptwriting 1.Equivalent units
NoneAssumed knowledge
None.| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Delivery mode | Unit convener |
|---|
Required texts
McKEE, Robert, Story - substance, structure, style and the principles of screenwriting, Methuen, London, 1998.
Recommended Readings
VOGLER, Christopher, The writer's journey - mythic structures for storytellers and screenwriters, Studio City, Michael Wiese Productions, 1992.
ACTUAL SCRIPTS – various. As well as the scripts available through Canvas, there are bound copies of many scripts in the library. Please READ some!
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.australianscreenwriter.com.au (useful port of call for aspiring writers)
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)
http://www.imdb.com (Internet Movie Database – free and fun though not always reliable)
Submission of assessment items
Extensions & Late submissions
Layout and format for written work:
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.
Special assessment requirements
Submissions should be made according to the submission requirements outlined in section 5b of this unit outline. Deadlines for submissions must be strictly observed. Any requests for extensions must be made at least one week before submission date and should be accompanied by supporting documentation (medical/counseling certificates etc). The University policy on late submission of work will be followed: https://guard.canberra.edu.au/policy/policy.php?pol_id=3351
Item #1 - the preparatory work and rough draft of the script - should be submitted as a PDF.
Item #2 - the screenplay & analysis questions - should be submitted as a PDF. You are advised to use Celtx or Amazon Storywriter - free screenwriting software – it will make the formatting much easier and will mean the format stays the same when it is dropped in the drop box (as a PDF). Be sure to create a TypeSet/PDF from your script before submitting (this will give the script all the right formatting).
Item #3 - the three homework items - should be submitted as a PDF.
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 or "Amazon Storywriter" at: https://storywriter.amazon.com. Specialist scriptwriting programs such as Final Draft though useful, are expensive and not necessary at this stage.
Students should be familiar with the Web in order to access library materials and script websites. Students must be able to post drafts and final assignments and feedback online and access email.
In-unit costs
Purchase of the required text. We suggest that online purchase of either a hard or digital copy of the required text is likely to be the most cost-effective means.
Work placement, internships or practicums
None.
