Faculty of Education and Arts
School: Communications and Arts
This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.
Unit Title
Scriptwriting: Short FilmsUnit Code
FAV2102Year
2015Enrolment Period
1Version
1Credit Points
15Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Online
Description
This unit provides an introduction to scriptwriting for radio, television and film and includes scripting short drama and documentary programmes.
Equivalent Rule
Unit was previously coded FAV4102
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Analyse the elements of dramatic writing, particularly the development of plot and character.
- Demonstrate research skills and an understanding of their importance in the preparation of documentary programmes.
- Discuss the role of the scriptwriter and other personnel in the production of films, radio and television programmes.
- Produce scripts for a short drama or documentary for film, radio or television.
- Recognise the distinctive characteristics of film, television and radio and how these influence script organisation and preparation.
Unit Content
- Analysis and discussion of a variety of programmes with emphasis on the conventions of the mass media and how these function to influence the planning and writing of scripts.
- Development through various stages of a script for a short drama or documentary for film and television.
- Exercises in preparing scripts for film and television production.
- Exercises in the elements of dramatic writing- dialogue, character plot and visual storytelling.
Additional Learning Experience Information
Lectures. Tutorials. Screenings.
Assessment
GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units
Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.
ON CAMPUS| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| Creative Work | Minor Project | 40% |
| Assignment | Major Project | 60% |
Text References
- ^ Cowgill, L. J. (2005). Writing short films: Structure and content for screenwriters (2nd ed.). New York: Watson-Guptill Publications.
- Ballon, R. F. (2004). Blueprint for screenwriting: A complete writer's guide to story structure and character development. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
- Bernard, S. C. (2003). Documentary storytelling for video and filmmakers. Amsterdam: Elsevier Focal Press.
- Cooper, P., & Dancyger, K. (2000). Writing the short film. Boston: Focal Press.
- Dancyer, K. (1992). Broadcast writing: Dramas, comedies and documentaries. London: Focal Press.
- Bicat, Tony & Macnabb, T. (2002) Creative Screenwriting. Marlborough: Crowood.
- Johnson, Claudia, H. (2005). Crafting short screenplays that connect [electronic resource]. Burlington: Elsevier.
- McKee, R. (1999) Story: Substance, structure, style and the principles of screenwriting. London: Metheun.
- Vogler, C. (1998) The writer's journey: Mythic structure for writers. California: Wiese.
- SCRIPTS:
- Ball, A. (2000) American Beauty. London: Film Four Books.
- Coen, J & E (1991) Barton Fink; Miller's Crossing. Boston: Faber & Faber.
- De Heer, R. (1996) Bad Boy Bubby. Sydney: Currency Press.
- Kaufman, C. (2004) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Sydney: Cinestore.
- Tarantino, Q. (1997) Jackie Brown. New York: Hyperion.
- Waters, D. (1989) Heathers: An original screenplay. Sydney: Cinestore.
- Aronson, L. (2000). Scriptwriting updated: New and conventional ways of writing for the scree. St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
^ Mandatory reference
Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
Academic Misconduct
Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- plagiarism;
- unauthorised collaboration;
- cheating in examinations;
- theft of other students' work;
Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.
The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.
FAV2102|1|1
Faculty of Education and Arts
School: Communications and Arts
This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.
Unit Title
Scriptwriting: Short FilmsUnit Code
FAV2102Year
2015Enrolment Period
2Version
2Credit Points
15Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Online
Description
This unit provides an active, practice-based introduction to scriptwriting for screen across a variety of platforms.
Equivalent Rule
Unit was previously coded FAV4102
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Recognise the distinctive characteristics of screen stories and how these influence script organisation and preparation.
- Demonstrate research skills and an understanding of their importance in the preparation of scripts.
- Analyse the elements of dramatic writing, particularly the development of plot and character.
- Produce scripts for a short drama or documentary for the screen.
Unit Content
- Analysis and discussion of a variety of screen texts.
- Exercises in preparing scripts for the screen.
- Exercises in the elements of dramatic writing- dialogue, character plot and visual storytelling.
- Development through various stages of a script for a short drama, documentary or animation.
Additional Learning Experience Information
Lectures. Tutorials. Screenings.
Assessment
GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units
Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.
ON CAMPUS| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| Creative Work | Minor Project | 40% |
| Assignment | Major Project | 60% |
Text References
- ^ Cowgill, L. J. (2005). Writing short films: Structure and content for screenwriters. (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Watson-Guptill Publications.
- Aronson, L. (2000). Scriptwriting updated: New and conventional ways of writing for the screen. St Leonards, Australia: Allen & Unwin.
- Ballon, R. F. (2004). Blueprint for screenwriting: A complete writer's guide to story structure and character development. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
- Bernard, S. C. (2011). Documentary storytelling: creative nonfiction on screen. (3rd ed.). Amsterdam: Focal Press.
- Bicat, T., & Macnabb, T. (2002). Creative screenwriting. Marlborough: Crowood.
- Cooper, P., & Dancyger, K. (2005). Writing the short film. (3rd ed.) Boston: Focal Press.
- Johnson, C.. (2005). Crafting short screenplays that connect [electronic resource]. Burlington, IN: Elsevier.
- McKee, R. (1999). Story: Substance, structure, style and the principles of screenwriting. London, United Kingdom: Metheun.
- Vogler, C. (1998). The writer's journey: Mythic structure for writers. CA: Wiese.
^ Mandatory reference
Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
Academic Misconduct
Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- plagiarism;
- unauthorised collaboration;
- cheating in examinations;
- theft of other students' work;
Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.
The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.
FAV2102|2|2
