Subject details

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

  1. Assess and critically reflect on a range of scriptwriting platforms, forms, and genres for stage and screen, and also investigate theoretical approaches to scriptwriting
  2. 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
  3. 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

    • Contemporary theories of film and performance and contemporary film making
    • The art of visual story telling
    • Building the plotline
    • The filmscript - backstory, core story, forward story
    • Characterisation and dialogue
    • Writing for TV - Soap Operas and Sitcoms
    • Screen writing as a collaborative process
    • The Screen Play
    • Techniques of writing for the screen
    • Commercial imperatives - the film and TV industries, funding and independent production
    • Critical and cultural influences on film, TV, and new media
    • The self-produced work - writing and producing on the internet

  • Study resources

    • Print Materials

      • Welcome letter

    • Online Materials

      • Printable format materials

Entry Requirements

Equivalent Subjects

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

  • SWI-LPW704

You must have successfully completed the following subject(s) before starting this subject:

SWI-PWR60001-Critical Friends: The Real and Virtual Support of Writers , or SWI-LPW500

Others

You should also have completed the 8 subjects comprising the Graduate Diploma of Arts (Writing) before enrolling in this subject.

Special requirements

No special requirements

Develop scripts for presentation to a selected audience. To enable the development of this skill, you investigate the art of visual storytelling and explore a range of techniques for the creation of story elements such as structure and character. The subject also explores how cultural and critical theories offer frameworks for understanding film, television and multimedia.

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

  • Assignment 1 - Online Discussion (60-70%)
  • Assignment 2 - Assignments (30-40%)

Textbooks are subject to change within the academic year. Students are advised to purchase their books no earlier than one to two months before the start of a subject.

View textbooks

Related degrees

Postgraduate

Master of Arts (Writing)