Postgraduate SWI-PWR70005-2023

Scriptwriting

Learn the skills behind the scripts of your favourite films and productions, including structure, character, dialogue and more. Learn to critique genres and theoretical approaches – before lifting your pen and unleashing your inner scriptwriter.

From

$3,425 $3,675

Your upfront cost: $0

International student?

Duration

13 weeks

Study method

100% Online

Available loans

FEE-HELP

Assessments

100% online

Prior study

Not required

Start dates

28 Aug 2023

Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.

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2023

Subject details

What you'll learn

After successfully completing this subject, you will be able to:

Assess and critically reflect on a range of scriptwriting platforms, forms, and genres for stage and screen, and also investigate theoretical approaches to scriptwriting.
Demonstrate high level creative and practical skills in the production of their scripts, specifically in relation to the writerly elements of plot, character, dialogue, and structure, and apply complex critical and creative theories related to the practice of scriptwriting to their own work and the work of others.
Generate a section of script from plan to final draft and create both industry standard supporting documentation and complex reflexive theorisations about their practice and project, and the practice and projects of others.

Topics covered

- What makes a good scripted story
- Building the plotline, including backstory, core story, forward story
- Characterisation and dialogue
- Setting
- Serialisation
- Writing for stage
- Adaptation
- The pitch and outline
- Professional layout

Entry requirements

Equivalent subjects

You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

SWI-PWR70003-Script Adaptation: Stage, Screen and Multimedia (No longer available)
SWI-PWR80002-Script Writing (No longer available)

Additional requirements

No additional requirements

Description

Students will investigate the art of visual storytelling and explore a range of techniques for the creation of story elements such as structure, character, dialogue, adaptation and layout. The subject also explores how cultural and critical theories offer frameworks for understanding film, television and multimedia.

Assessments

Please note: Assessment values are indicative only; details will be advised at the start of the subject.

Outline, script sample, pitch (60%)
Weekly Discussion Threads (12) (40%)

Textbooks

Current study term: 27 Aug 23 to 26 Nov 23

Check the learning management system (LMS) of your university for textbook details.

Related degrees

Postgraduate SWI-WRI-GDI-2023

Graduate Diploma of Writing

Postgraduate SWI-WRI-MAS-2023

Master of Writing