SCWR2000 Introduction to Screenwriting Semester 1, 2017ctl.curtin.edu.au/teaching_learning_services/unit... · You will present your sequence in class for discussion, peer review

Acknowledgement of Country We respectfully acknowledge the Indigenous Elders, custodians, their descendants and kin of this land past and present. The Centre for Aboriginal Studies aspires to contribute to positive social change for Indigenous Australians through higher education and research.

Unit study package code: SCWR2000

Mode of study: Internal

Tuition pattern summary: Note: For any specific variations to this tuition pattern and for precise information refer to the Learning Activities section.

Lecture: 1 x 1 Hours Weekly Workshop: 1 x 2 Hours Weekly

This unit does not have a fieldwork component.

Credit Value: 25.0

Pre-requisite units: Nil

Co-requisite units: Nil

Anti-requisite units: SCWR5000 (v.0) Introduction to Screen Writing for Graduates or any previous version

Result type: Grade/Mark

Approved incidental fees: Information about approved incidental fees can be obtained from our website. Visit fees.curtin.edu.au/incidental_fees.cfm for details.

Unit coordinator: Title: DrName: Kerreen Ely-HarperPhone: +618 92661002Email: [email protected]: Building: 208 - Room: 312A,

Teaching Staff:

Administrative contact: Name: MCCA Teaching Support TeamPhone: +618 9266 7598Email: [email protected]: Building: 208 - Room: 428

Learning Management System: Blackboard (lms.curtin.edu.au)

Unit Outline

SCWR2000 Introduction to Screenwriting Semester 1, 2017

Faculty of Humanities Department of Screen Arts

SCWR2000 Introduction to Screenwriting Bentley Campus 17 Feb 2017 Department of Screen Arts, Faculty of Humanities

Page: 1 of 12CRICOS Provider Code 00301J

The only authoritative version of this Unit Outline is to be found online in OASIS

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Syllabus The unit examines screening writing techniques and practices in how to develop and create a narrative screenplay for drama production across a range of genres.

Introduction This unit is designed to introduce you to the key concepts and craft skills of writing a screenplay for a short drama film.

The emphasis is on developing your ability to write for the screen, exploring a range of narrative forms, writing techniques and filmic strategies.

You will attend a one-hour lecture and two hour interactive weekly workshop that will include creative and practical exercises in storytelling, narrative form and structure,

script development and analysis, writing styles, problem solving and screenplay formatting.

Unit Learning Outcomes All graduates of Curtin University achieve a set of nine graduate attributes during their course of study. These tell an employer that, through your studies, you have acquired discipline knowledge and a range of other skills and attributes which employers say would be useful in a professional setting. Each unit in your course addresses the graduate attributes through a clearly identified set of learning outcomes. They form a vital part in the process referred to as assurance of learning. The learning outcomes tell you what you are expected to know, understand or be able to do in order to be successful in this unit. Each assessment for this unit is carefully designed to test your achievement of one or more of the unit learning outcomes. On successfully completing all of the assessments you will have achieved all of these learning outcomes.

Your course has been designed so that on graduating we can say you will have achieved all of Curtin's Graduate Attributes through the assurance of learning process in each unit.

Curtin's Graduate Attributes

Learning Activities In this unit you are required to attend a one-hour lecture each week that includes film screenings, followed by a two- hour weekly tutorial.

On successful completion of this unit students can: Graduate Attributes addressed

1 Identify and apply key technical and creative craft skills and concepts in screenwriting for drama

2 Analyse a range of screenwriting techniques, elements and approaches

3 Ability to create a short drama film script by applying relevant screenwriting techniques and story development concepts

4 Critically reflect on own practice and others

Apply discipline knowledge Thinking skills (use analytical skills to solve problems)

Information skills (confidence to investigate new ideas)

Communication skills Technology skillsLearning how to learn (apply principles learnt to new situations) (confidence to tackle unfamiliar problems)

International perspective (value the perspectives of others)

Cultural understanding (value the perspectives of others)

Professional Skills (work independently and as a team) (plan own work)

Find out more about Curtin's Graduate attributes at the Office of Teaching & Learning website: ctl.curtin.edu.au





http://ctl.curtin.edu.au/

The unit is comprised of four modules:

Module 1: Story Instincts & Concepts (Weeks 1-3)

Module 2: Plot, Character & Narrative (What, Who & How) (Week 4-6)

Module 3: Plot Development & Character Journey (Week 9-10)

Module 4: Story Development & Execution (Week 11-14)

The tutorials are interactive and student centered with a focus on participating in generative writing tasks and exercises, discussions and analyses of screenplay techniques and methodologies.

Regular attendance at all lectures and tutorials is strongly advised, and students are expected to be adequately prepared for all tutorials.

Learning Resources Library Reading List

The Reading List for this unit can be accessed through Blackboard.

Recommended texts

You do not have to purchase the following textbooks but you may like to refer to them.

l Paul Wells Scriptwriting: n. developing and creating text for a play, film or broadcast, 2007, AVA Academic

Christopher Vogler, The Writer's Journey, (Third Edition), 2007, Michael Wiese Productions

John Yorke, Into The Woods: How Stories Work and Why We Tell Them, 2014, Penguin

Lisa Dethridge, Writing Your Screenplay, 2003, Allen & Unwin

Linda Aronson, Scriptwriting updated: new ( and conventional) ways of writing for the screen, 2001, AFTRS

Kathryn Millard, Screenwriting in a Digital Era, 2014

Pat Cooper and Ken Dancyger Writing the Short Film, 2004 (3rd edition), Focal Press

Margaret Mehring, The Screenplay, 1990, Focal Press

Joseph Campbell, The Hero With a Thousand Faces, 1949, New World Library

Coral Drouyn, Big Screen, Small Screen, 1994, Intellect

Linda Seger, Making A Good Script Great, 1994, Samuel French

Phillip Parker, The Art & Science of Screenwriting, 1999, Intellect

Robert McKee, Story , 1999, Methuen

Andrew Horton, Writing The Character Centered Screenplay, 1999, University of California Press

Syd Field, Screenplay - The Foundations of Screenwriting, 1984, Dell Publishing





Assessment Assessment schedule

Detailed information on assessment tasks

1. Tutorial Participation & Presentation – Analysis

You will research, prepare and deliver a 10-minute presentation on a topic related to an analysis of a scene/sequence from a produced film of your choosing. Followed by a brief 5min Q&A to be facilitated by your tutor.

You must include a screening of your selected scene/sequence in the presentation (2 min max).

Your selected scene must be accompanied by hard copies of the script to be given to your tutor and distributed to your peers. Consult with your tutor on accessing screenplays.

The topic should reflect your screenwriting interests and be relevant to key texts, concepts and issues covered in the course.

Choose one of the areas listed (or nominate another topic in consultation with your tutor):

Character Dialogue Plot Image Sound Subtext

Beginnings Endings Conflict Action Point of View Suspense

The aim of the presentation is to develop your ability to identify and critique screen narratives elements and techniques to stimulate discussion around questions and ideas on the craft of writing for the screen.

The presentation will be assessed according to the following criteria:

1. evidence of research and preparation, scope of content, analysis of key content (mark out of 10)

2. ability to raise critical questions to promote debate through the selection of materials presented (mark out of 5 )

3. peer review ( mark out of 5)

2. Digital Story Concept

Task Value % Date DueUnit Learning Outcome(s)

Assessed

1

Tutorial Contribution & Presentation - Analysis 20 percent Week: Every teaching Week 3 -14 Day: Tutorial Time Time: Tutorial Time

1,2

2Digital Story Concept 20 percent Week: Week 6

Day: Tutorial Time Time: Tutorial Time

1,3

3Formal writing: First Draft Screenplay 20 percent Week: Week 9

Day: 28 April, Friday Time: 21:00

1,3,4

4Formal writing: Final Draft Screenplay 40 percent Week: Week 14

Day: Sunday, 4 June Time: 21:00

1,3,4





You will choose one title from a list of titles (to be given by your tutor in week 3), produce and present a silent moving narrative sequence.

Your storyboard must be 9 still images only and play as a moving sequence.

Your sequence must have a surprise ending and clearly communicate a narrative story concept.

Your images must be original and not drawn from secondary or copyrighted sources.

You cannot include dialogue or recorded sound in the sequence.

Your storyboard can be in the form of drawings, photographs, or video stills.

You must use your own mobile devices to capture the material: smart phone, ipad or SLR/video camera.

You must edit your own sequence using software you are familiar with ( i.e., Celtex, Premier Pro, iMovie, Video Tool Box, Final Cut etc.) and be in mp.4 format.

You can present your work in a PowerPoint format if you wish.

You will present your sequence in class for discussion, peer review and assessment purposes.

The digital story concept will be assessed according to the following criteria:

1. Dramatic potential of the story concept for film (mark out of 10)

2. Strength and distinctiveness of the story (mark out of 5)

3. Peer review and evaluation (mark out of 5)

3. Formal writing: First Draft Screenplay

Write a first draft short film script of 5-7 minutes in standard script layout.

Your script must be accompanied by:

- one-line descriptor

- one-paragraph synopsis

- writer’s statement outlining your intention and rationale (and any other relevant background information)

Please follow script formatting as per Screen Australia guidelines http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/filmmaking/Getting_Started.aspx

Submit your document as a word doc (or docx) through the Turnitin link under Assessments on Blackboard.

Do not submit PdF or zip files.

The screenplay will be assessed according to the following criteria:

1. Potential of the story and characters as a blueprint for a short narrative film (mark out of 10)

2. Demonstrated understanding of its own genre through the application of cinematic storytelling techniques and strategies (mark out of 5)

3. Ability to follow industry standard script formatting and produce relevant supporting written materials for a fiction narrative (mark out of 5)

4. Formal writing: Final Draft Screenplay





Write a completed draft short screenplay of 5-7 minutes with attached notes ( 1-2 pages) detailing the weaknesses and strengths of the current draft and intended screenwriting strategies for future development.

Please follow script formatting as per Screen Australia guidelines http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/filmmaking/Getting_Started.aspx

Submit your document as a word doc through the Turnitin link under Assessments on Blackboard.

Do not submit Pdf or zip files.

The screenplay will be assessed according to the following criteria:

1. Quality of the writing and application of cinematic storytelling techniques and strategies (mark out of 20)

2. Demonstrate ability to revise and develop a first draft to an advanced second/final draft level stage (mark out of 10)

3. Ability to produce an industry standard formatted script (mark out of 5)

4. Ability to critique your own work (mark out of 5)

Pass requirements

There are two requirements to achieve a ‘pass’ grade in the unit.

1. An overall mark of 50% across the different assessments in the unit, and 2. All assessments must be attempted and submitted.

Failure to attempt and submit an assessment will result in a ‘Fail‐incomplete’ grade for the unit irrespective of the mark achieved.

Fair assessment through moderation

Moderation describes a quality assurance process to ensure that assessments are appropriate to the learning outcomes, and that student work is evaluated consistently by assessors. Minimum standards for the moderation of assessment are described in the Assessment and Student Progression Manual, available from policies.curtin.edu.au/policies/teachingandlearning.cfm

Late assessment policy

This ensures that the requirements for submission of assignments and other work to be assessed are fair, transparent, equitable, and that penalties are consistently applied.

1. All assessments students are required to submit will have a due date and time specified on this Unit Outline. 2. Students will be penalised by a deduction of ten percent per calendar day for a late assessment submission

(e.g. a mark equivalent to 10% of the total allocated for the assessment will be deducted from the marked value for every day that the assessment is late). This means that an assessment worth 20 marks will have two marks deducted per calendar day late. Hence if it was handed in three calendar days late and given a mark of 16/20, the student would receive 10/20. An assessment more than seven calendar days overdue will not be marked and will receive a mark of 0.





http://policies.curtin.edu.au/policies/teachingandlearning.cfm

Assessment extension

A student unable to complete an assessment task by/on the original published date/time (e.g. examinations, tests) or due date/time (e.g. assignments) must apply for an assessment extension using the Assessment Extension form (available from the Forms page at students.curtin.edu.au/administration/) as prescribed by the Academic Registrar. It is the responsibility of the student to demonstrate and provide evidence for exceptional circumstances beyond the student's control that prevent them from completing/submitting the assessment task.

The student will be expected to lodge the form and supporting documentation with the unit coordinator before the assessment date/time or due date/time. An application may be accepted up to five working days after the date or due date of the assessment task where the student is able to provide an acceptable explanation as to why he or she was not able to submit the application prior to the assessment date. An application for an assessment extension will not be accepted after the date of the Board of Examiners' meeting.

Deferred assessments

Supplementary assessments

Supplementary assessments are not available in this unit.

Reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities/health circumstances likely to impact on studies

A Curtin Access Plan (CAP) is a document that outlines the type and level of support required by a student with a disability or health condition to have equitable access to their studies at Curtin. This support can include alternative exam or test arrangements, study materials in accessible formats, access to Curtin’s facilities and services or other support as discussed with an advisor from Disability Services (disability.curtin.edu.au). Documentation is required from your treating Health Professional to confirm your health circumstances.

If you think you may be eligible for a CAP, please contact Disability Services. If you already have a CAP please provide it to the Unit Coordinator at the beginning of each study period.

Referencing style

The referencing style for this unit is APA 6th Ed.

More information can be found on this style from the Library web site: http://libguides.library.curtin.edu.au/referencing.

Copyright © Curtin University. The course material for this unit is provided to you for your own research and study only. It is subject to copyright. It is a copyright infringement to make this material available on third party websites.

If your results show that you have been granted a deferred assessment you should immediately check OASIS for details.





http://students.curtin.edu.au/administration/

http://life.curtin.edu.au/health-and-wellbeing/CAP.htm

http://life.curtin.edu.au/health-and-wellbeing/disability_services.htm

http://life.curtin.edu.au/health-and-wellbeing/disablity_services_eligibility.htm#/health-and-wellbeing/10126.htm

http://life.curtin.edu.au/health-and-wellbeing/contact_disability_services.htm

http://libguides.library.curtin.edu.au/referencing

Academic Integrity (including plagiarism and cheating) Any conduct by a student that is dishonest or unfair in connection with any academic work is considered to be academic misconduct. Plagiarism and cheating are serious offences that will be investigated and may result in penalties such as reduced or zero grades, annulled units or even termination from the course. Assessments under investigation will not be given a mark until the matter is concluded. This may result in the unit grade being withheld or a grade of Fail Incomplete (F-IN) until a decision has been made by the Student Disciplinary Panel. This may impact on enrolment in further units/study periods.

Plagiarism occurs when work or property of another person is presented as one's own, without appropriate acknowledgement or referencing. Submitting work which has been produced by someone else (e.g. allowing or contracting another person to do the work for which you claim authorship) is also plagiarism. Submitted work is subjected to a plagiarism detection process, which may include the use of text matching systems or interviews with students to determine authorship.

Cheating includes (but is not limited to) asking or paying someone to complete an assessment task for you or any use of unauthorised materials or assistance during an examination or test.

From Semester 1, 2016, all incoming coursework students are required to complete Curtin’s Academic Integrity Program (AIP). If a student does not pass the program by the end of their first study period of enrolment at Curtin, their marks will be withheld until they pass. More information about the AIP can be found at: https://academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au/students/AIP.cfm

Refer to the Academic Integrity tab in Blackboard or academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au for more information, including student guidelines for avoiding plagiarism.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Expectations Curtin students are expected to have reliable internet access in order to connect to OASIS email and learning systems such as Blackboard and Library Services.

You may also require a computer or mobile device for preparing and submitting your work.

For general ICT assistance, in the first instance please contact OASIS Student Support: oasisapps.curtin.edu.au/help/general/support.cfm

For specific assistance with any of the items listed below, please contact The Learning Centre: life.curtin.edu.au/learning-support/learning_centre.htm

l Using Blackboard, the I Drive and Back-Up files l Introduction to PowerPoint, Word and Excel





https://academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au/students/AIP.cfm

http://academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au/

https://oasisapps.curtin.edu.au/help/general/support.cfm

http://life.curtin.edu.au/learning-support/learning_centre.htm

Additional information PROCEDURE AND POLICIES FOR BORROWING SCREEN ARTS EQUIPMENT Version 2

There are a large number of students using equipment from the MCCA store. In order to make sure that all students have fair and appropriate access to equipment it is imperative that borrowing and booking procedures are maintained and respected by all students. It is your responsibility to be aware of these procedures and policies. Ignorance will not be accepted as an excuse for failing to adhere to policy and procedure.

1. Students must book equipment with the store manager at least 24 hours in advance. Students will be denied access to equipment if requesting use on the same day of production. Students are urged to book equipment as far in advance of their production day as possible.

2. Students must have written permission from their tutor in order to borrow equipment. A Project Approval form should be completed and submitted to your tutor for signing. This is then presented at the store, as well as an Equipment Booking form. Your tutor will make arrangements for approving equipment loans in their absence. This will usually mean emailing your tutor who will then forward consent to the store manager. Email consent does not equate to a booking. You must still complete a booking form and submit to the store manager. In exceptional circumstances, you may request that your Unit Coordinator or Head of Department sign your form in the absence of your tutor.

3. Students must complete a Field Safety and Risk Assessment form when borrowing equipment. This form should be submitted with your equipment booking form.

4. Equipment should be collected and returned at the time specified on your booking form. Make sure you allow adequate time for collection before the store closes. Last collections must occur 15 minutes before closing time.

5. Students may borrow from the store at short notice if they would like to practice using the equipment. Students wishing to practice will only have access to equipment that has not already been booked, and is available in the store at the time. You may not leave the vicinity of Building 208 (interior and courtyard) with the equipment. The borrowed items must be returned at a time stipulated by the store manager. (Usually within 1 - 2 hours)

6. Students may have access to equipment during class time without a prior booking. However, it is still recommended you book if you anticipate needing equipment during class time as your tutor may not have anticipated your need and cannot guarantee equipment will be available.

7. All students in a group are equally responsible for the safe and prompt return of equipment. Late return will result in the loss of marks from each student’s final grade.

8. Equipment should be returned in exactly the same state as when it was borrowed. Please make note of how equipment is stored and packed, and make every effort to ensure equipment is returned in this state. Badly packed equipment can cause damage and unnecessary frustration to students using equipment after you. If returned equipment is dirty or packed badly the store manager can request students to clean or repack the equipment on the spot.

9. If you discover that the equipment you have borrowed is faulty in some way, please report the fault to the store manager on returning the equipment. Fill out a fault report, making note of the equipment number, the exact nature of the fault, and the circumstances under which the fault occurred.

10. Please respect your equipment and treat it as if it were your own. Equipment is expensive and easily damaged through negligent or careless use. Return the equipment in the same state that you would wish to receive it. It could be your shoot that is ruined or frustrated by faulty equipment.

Enrolment

It is your responsibility to ensure that your enrolment is correct - you can check your enrolment through the eStudent option on OASIS, where you can also print an Enrolment Advice.





https://curtinmcca.atlassian.net/wiki/display/POS/Essential+Forms%2C+Guides+and+Resources?



Student Rights and Responsibilities It is the responsibility of every student to be aware of all relevant legislation, policies and procedures relating to their rights and responsibilities as a student. These include:

l the Student Charter l Values and Signature Behaviours l the University's policy and statements on plagiarism and academic integrity l copyright principles and responsibilities l the University's policies on appropriate use of software and computer facilities

Information on all these things is available through the University's "Student Rights and Responsibilities" website at: students.curtin.edu.au/rights.

Student Equity There are a number of factors that might disadvantage some students from participating in their studies or assessments to the best of their ability, under standard conditions. These factors may include a disability or medical condition (e.g. mental illness, chronic illness, physical or sensory disability, learning disability), significant family responsibilities, pregnancy, religious practices, living in a remote location or another reason. If you believe you may be unfairly disadvantaged on these or other grounds please contact Student Equity at [email protected] or go to http://eesj.curtin.edu.au/student_equity/index.cfm for more information

You can also contact Counselling and Disability services: http://www.disability.curtin.edu.au or the Multi-faith services: http://life.curtin.edu.au/health-and-wellbeing/about_multifaith_services.htm for further information.

It is important to note that the staff of the university may not be able to meet your needs if they are not informed of your individual circumstances so please get in touch with the appropriate service if you require assistance. For general wellbeing concerns or advice please contact Curtin's Student Wellbeing Advisory Service at: http://life.curtin.edu.au/health-and-wellbeing/student_wellbeing_service.htm

Recent unit changes Students are encouraged to provide unit feedback through eVALUate, Curtin's online student feedback system. For more information about eVALUate, please refer to evaluate.curtin.edu.au/info/.

Recent changes to this unit include:

Assessment tasks 1 & 2 content and reading lists have been revised and updated.

To view previous student feedback about this unit, search for the Unit Summary Report at https://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/student/unit_search.cfm. See https://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/info/dates.cfm to find out when you can eVALUate this unit.





http://students.curtin.edu.au/rights/

mailto:[email protected]

http://eesj.curtin.edu.au/student_equity/index.cfm

http://www.disability.curtin.edu.au/

http://life.curtin.edu.au/health-and-wellbeing/about_multifaith_services.htm

http://life.curtin.edu.au/health-and-wellbeing/student_wellbeing_service.htm

http://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/info/index.cfm

https://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/student/unit_search.cfm

https://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/info/dates.cfm

Program calendar

Program Calendar – Semester 1 2017

Week Begin Date

Lecture/Seminar Tutorial Assessment Due

Orientation 20 February Orientation Week

1. 27 February MODULE #1: Story Instincts & Concepts (Weeks 1-3)

Lecture: Introduction - the art & craft of storytelling for the screen

Writing Workshop

2. 6 March Lecture: Stories on film - identifying the cinematic story Writing Workshop

3. 13 March Lecture: Images, Words & Sounds - Staring points & ideas generation Writing Workshop & Tutorial Presentations

4. 20 March MODULE #2: Plot, Character & Narrative (What, Who, How) (Weeks 4-6)

Lecture: Narrative Structure Models - Aristotle & Others

Writing Workshop & Tutorial Presentations

5. 27 March Lecture: Theme & Plot Writing Workshop & Tutorial Presentations

6. 3 April Lecture: Asking the dramatic question: story premise & action Digital Story Presentations

Digital Story Concept

Tutorial Time

7. 10 April Tuition Free Week

8. 17 April Tuition Free Week

9. 24 April MODULE #3: Plot Development & Character Journey (Weeks 9-10)

Lecture: Character: point of view, intention and motivation


First Draft Screenplay

Friday, 28 April

21:00





10. 1 May Lecture: Character Arcs & Relationships: dialogue, subtext, performance Writing Workshop & Tutorial Presentations

11. 8 May MODULE # 4: Story Development & Execution (Weeks 11-14)

Lecture: Story Development in the digital era


12. 15 May Lecture: Writing Styles & Genre - comedy & tragedy & breaking the rules Writing Workshop & Tutorial Presentations

13. 22 May Lecture: Symbols, Objects & Motifs Writing Workshop & Tutorial Presentations

14. 29 May Lecture: Endings & Beginnings: foreshadowing, set ups & payoffs Writing Workshop & Tutorial Presentations

Final Draft Screenplay

Sunday, 4 June

21:00

15. 5 June Study Week

16. 12 June Examinations

17. 19 June Examinations





Documents

SCWR2000 Introduction to Screenwriting Semester 1, 2017ctl.curtin.edu.au/teaching_learning_services/unit... · You will present your sequence in class for discussion, peer review