Writing for the Youth Screen Market

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

120 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

This subject introduces students to the world of writing screen product for children, tweens and young teenagers with a focus on youth television. Through a series of workshops, presentations and screenings, students will gain insight into what makes successful kid’s programming and will develop an understanding of the current youth screen landscape, ie, what kids watch and how they are watching it. Students will be required to develop and write a script for the youth market and present it in the appropriate professional format.

• To introduce students to writing screen product for the youth market
• To introduce students to some fundamental elements of successful children’s programming
• To give students greater knowledge of the current youth screen landscape
• To introduce students how to the basic professional skills needed to develop and write a script for the youth market and present it in the appropriate format.

• Class Presentation (1000 words equivalent) Weeks 2-9 (as scheduled) worth 20%
• Major ‘Youth’ Script Project (3500 words equivalent) Week 11, worth 75%
• Class Participation (Participation assessed on criteria of engagement, ability to discuss & give/receive feedback and teamwork skills)
• Ongoing assessment worth 5%

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

The learning outcomes of this course will be:

• To give students a greater understanding of the current youth screen market
• To introduce students to key concepts in writing for Children’s TV and other youth screen formats
• To allow students to explore their ‘voice’ within the parameters of writing for children
• To introduce students to the basic skills required to write professionally for the youth market