Year
2019
Units
4.5
Contact
1 x 2-hour lecture weekly
1 x 1-hour tutorial weekly
Prerequisites
1 Admission into BA-Bachelor of Arts
1a Admission into BCPW-Bachelor of Communication and Professional Writing
1b Admission into BCAVEED-Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design)
1c Admission into BCAHVEED-Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design)
1d Admission into BMC-Bachelor of Media and Communication
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d))
Enrolment not permitted
1 of CREA2001, SCME2071, SCRN3060 has been successfully completed
Topic description
This topic introduces students to the basic elements of writing screenplays for short films. Students will be introduced to story, narrative structure, plot, character and genre as well as industry standard documentation including synopsis, treatments, outlines, character breakdowns and scripts.
Educational aims
This topic aims to:

  • introduce students to the concepts of story, drama, narrative structure and character in screenwriting

  • introduce students to the concepts of symbolism, motif, genre and film construction in screenwriting

  • examine the construction of classic narrative and alternative narrative form in films

  • enable students to develop and complete a screenplay, and related components such as synopsis and character, from a concept to final draft within a limited time
Expected learning outcomes
On completion of this topic students will be able to:

  • identify and analyse story, script structures, drama and character in film

  • identify symbolism, motif, genre and film construction

  • collaborate with their peers in script conceptualisation and development

  • undertake a basic analysis of classic narrative and alternative narrative form in short and long format films

  • develop a synopsis, treatment, character breakdown and screenplay