Screenwriting 2

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

240 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

Screenwriting is studied in a series of lectures, tutorials, screenings and screenwriting workshops. These deal with moving picture language and principles of characterization and dramatic form at an advanced level. Each student will develop a substantial script that they will take into production in Semester Two. Students undertake additional specialist screenwriting tutorials relevant to their strand of study. Students participate in actor/writer workshops that help develop characterizations further.

This subject will:
• demonstrate masterful creative and technical skills in the storytelling areas of film and television;
• demonstrate the use of script editing and re-writing skills;
• develop script analysis and feedback skills for both short and long form scripts;
• develop an understanding of creative achievements in screen culture;
• enable the completion of a film script, reflecting a high level of understanding in narrative structure and conventions relevant to students’ strand of study.

Class Exercises x 2
Script Development Report (1500 words, 20% of total mark).

The writing of short documents – an understanding of their function in relation to their major production (20% of total mark).

Production Script up to 5000 words, 60% of total mark
(1 internal staff and 2 external industry professionals will assess this script).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completing this subject students will gain:
• confidence in presenting work for critical review;
• enhanced critical listening skills that effect productive writing and re-writing;
• an understanding of the importance of audience participation;
• heightened writing skills;
• heightened skills of critical analysis, both in giving and receiving criticism;
• demonstrated capacities for artistic imagination, creativity, transformation and interpretation.