ALW103 - Scriptwriting Fundamentals
Unit details
| Year: | 2023 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Patrick West |
| Cohort rule: | Nil |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 1 x 2-hour seminar or equivalent per week |
| Scheduled learning activities - online: | Online independent and collaborative activities, including 1 x 2-hour seminar per week or equivalent |
Content
This unit introduces students to the fundamentals of scriptwriting with a focus on story-telling strategies for a global context. Scriptwriting elements covered include structure, plot, turning points, character, dialogue, scenes, setting, and subtext. Students will learn how these elements may be used to maximum creative advantage within divergent scriptwriting forms. Screen, stage, sound, gaming, and hybrid performance environments make different demands on the writer’s craft. Consequently, the unit encourages writers to embrace a flexible definition of scripts and of their relationship to broader mechanisms of production and performance. The notion of writing constraints as a way to unlock creativity is an important thread within the unit. The unit’s focus on global story-telling strategies reflects the increasing significance of international co-productions and cross-cultural audiences to the careers of twenty-first century scriptwriters. Intensive workshopping ensures the acquisition of the collaborative and audience awareness skills essential to allow students to undertake the scriptwriting roles of the future.
| ULO | These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Demonstrate understanding of fundamental elements of scriptwriting | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO2 | Employ fundamental elements of scriptwriting to produce scripts in different forms | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking GLO7: Teamwork |
| ULO3 | Use scriptwriting software effectively | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO4 | Collaborate positively with other writers on scriptwriting projects | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO3: Digital literacy GLO4: Critical thinking GLO7: Teamwork GLO8: Global citizenship |
| ULO5 | Demonstrate familiarity with the international and cross-cultural context of contemporary scriptwriting | GLO7: Teamwork GLO8: Global citizenship |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 - Story in action (plot and turning points) | 800 words or equivalent | 20% | Week 5 |
| Assessment 2 - Action in dialogue (subtext and emotion) | 800 words or equivalent | 20% | Week 7 |
| Assessment 3 - Workshopping participation | 800 words or equivalent | 20% | Week 9 - 11 |
| Assessment 4 - Script | 1600 words or equivalent | 40% | Week 12 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning Resource
There is no prescribed text. Unit materials are provided via the unit site. This includes unit topic readings and references to further information.
Unit Fee Information
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