Feature Film Writing

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

140 Hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Students will acquire an understanding of fundamental elements of feature film writing. Through craft based classes and workshops, students will gain knowledge of areas such as traditional screen narrative structure, character development and writing for a visual medium. Students will read, analysis and discuss feature scripts and attend film screenings. Students will be introduced to writing short documents, such as synopsise and treatments, and learn professional script formatting.

This subject also introduces students to a variety of methods through which writers can access information and inspiration necessary for both their academic and creative work. Students will chose and research a topic of interest to their creative work and present their work to the class.

This subject will enable students to:
• gain a fundamental understanding of feature film writing;
• understand imperatives of writing for a visual / aural medium;
• learn skills necessary to develop short film documents and understand correct script formatting;
• develop an understanding and instinct for communicating with an audience through screenwriting;
• develop skills enabling the student to research, write and present a paper on a topic of their choice.

Draft Treatment for Feature Film plus short documents (equivalent to 3000 words) 65%
Research paper or class presentation on topic (equivalent to 1500 words) 25%
Class Participation 10%

Syd Fields – Screenplay
Rob McKee – Story
Linda Segar – Good Script Great

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completing this subject students will be able to:
• apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems;
• isolate and condense the essence of an idea to a meaningful precise image;
• develop positive self critical and peer review skills;
• develop technical and creative writing skills.