New Script

Subject CWRI40013 (2014)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2014.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2
Total Time Commitment:

120

Prerequisites:

Admission to fourth year honours (creative writing), postgraduate certificate in arts and postgraduate diploma in arts (creative writing), or the Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge:
Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Eddie Patterson

eddip@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject will provide students with the interdisciplinary skills to write an original script in any medium. Students will learn the distinct scriptwriting approaches to works for theatre, live performance, radio, film and digital media. They will devise a concept outline and script excerpt for a work of either: theatre, performance, radio, film, tv, or a digital media project.

This subject alternates annually wtih CWRI40012 The Dialogic Imagination.

Learning Outcomes:

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • gain advanced knowledge of the development of a script concept: from devising a concept, pitching the work, workshopping, drafting and structuring material, to the preparation of a script excerpt formatted to industry standards;
  • have a complex understanding of the various forms of scriptwriting;
  • have the ability to workshop, analyse and give constructive feedback on a variety of interdisciplinary script concepts;
  • develop, through workshopping and completion of assessment tasks, an understanding of the concepts and history that underpin the writing of a script;
  • gain a deeper understanding of the vocational possibilities in writing for the screen; and
  • demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of screenwriting terminology and the mechanics of character development, narrative structure and genre.
Assessment:

A pitch, comprising an oral presentation to the class and one page synopsis of the script concept, equivalent to 1000 words 20% (due during semester); excerpts of an original script, formatted to a professional industry standard (the script must undergo development and workshopping in class to be considered for final assessment) equivalent to 2500 words 50% (due during the examination period); and a research task equivalent to 1500 words 30% (due during the examination period). Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% (or 10 out of 12) classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Any student who fails to meet this hurdle without valid reason will not be eligible to pass the subject. All required written work must be submitted in order to pass the subject. Essays submitted after the due date without an extension will be penalised 2% per day. Essays submitted after two weeks of the assessment due date without a formally approved application for special consideration or an extension will only be marked on a pass/fail basis if accepted.

Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available through Readings Online.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:

  • participate in discussion and group activities and increase their creative and critical skills through workshopping and collaboration;
  • independently devise and articulate a creative work in both verbal and written modes; and
  • conceptualise, prepare and present their creative projects at an advanced level.
Related Course(s): Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Creative Writing
Creative Writing

Download PDF version.