Screenwriting for Television

Home

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 3 - Undergraduate Advanced 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)

Introduction

Screenwriting for Television aims to develop students? understanding of the creative and professional work practices involved in writing for series television. It takes a professional view to screenwriting practice, giving students critical knowledge of the conventions of series television and industry practices of the television storytelling process. The unit further aims to give students the opportunity to develop their own analytical, technical and creative television screenwriting skills.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the various creative and professional practices of writing for series television;

2. Synthesise and analyse advanced screenwriting techniques; and
3. Demonstrate skills and knowledge applicable to the television industry.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
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 - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Prerequisites

Screenwriting 8905

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

NONE.

Equivalent units

NO.

Assumed knowledge

Students will be assumed to have achieved a Pass in Screenwriting (8905)

Availability

Year	Location	Teaching period	Teaching start date	Delivery mode	Unit convener

Timetable

Not available

Resources

Required texts

There is no set text for this unit. There are, however, two recommended texts and CRITICAL weekly readings (please see Moodle for full listings) which will be discussed in the tutorial workshops.

Assessment requirements

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Layout and format for written work:

The screenplay element of Assessment item #3 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.

Assessment Item #3's "bible" element should be submitted as a WORD doc. For the "screenplay" element you are advised to use Celtx, 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) tab found at the bottom of the Celtx page, next to Script.

Handing in assignments:

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/counselling certificates etc). The University policy on late submission of work will be followed: https://guard.canberra.edu.au/policy/policy.php?pol_id=3351

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.

Student responsibility

Participation requirements

It is anticipated that, in order to be able to pass this unit, students will need to attend and participate in at least 80% of the tutorial workshops. 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 download the free screenwriting software "Celtx" at https://www.celtx.com/index.html. Specialist scriptwriting programs such as Final Draft are also useful, though they are expensive and celtx offers sufficient flexibility at this stage.

Students should be familiar with the Web in order to access library materials, script websites, and Moodle. Students must be able to post drafts and final assignments and feedback online and access email.

Work placement, internships or practicums