Course Title: Script and story edit television drama
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2022
Course Code: COMM7355C
Course Title: Script and story edit television drama
Important Information:
Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.
To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.
Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.
Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.
This course will be delivered through face-to-face classes, interaction with industry mentors, and the learning support material and resources in Canvas.
School: 515T Creative Industries
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6160 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting
Course Contact: Alan Woodruff
Course Contact Phone: +61399254307
Course Contact Email: alan.woodruff@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teacher: Cameron Clarke
Nominal Hours: 70
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
Enrolment in this elective course at RMIT requires you to have completed all first year courses.
Course Description
In this course you'll originate and fashion your own TV series or serial with input from fellow students, teachers and industry professionals, and become skilled in the craft of writing and story/script editing scripted drama. You'll learn how a plotting room works through first-hand collaborative experience, story and script editing original material.
This course addresses the following units of competency, clustered for delivery and assessment:
- PSWDTV603 Create and market a drama series
- PSWDTV604 Script and story edit television drama
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
PSWDTV604 Script and story edit television drama |
Element: |
1. Establish script development requirements with production team |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Collaborate with a team of screenwriters to lead the story in a plotting session1.2 Plot episodes to program and casting requirements, with appropriate structuring of stories, characters, character arcs and story conventions.1.3 Provide a scene outline to the screenwriters that contains required story and character information1.4 Establish timelines with the screenwriters for the completion of stories and scene breakdown1.4 Liaise with producers and other relevant people to establish reporting lines on story development to ensure the script will meet production requirements |
Element: |
2. Script edit scene breakdowns |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Read and review the scene breakdowns for appropriate story structure, characterisation, character arcs, continuity, conventions and style2.2 Ensure scenes are structured and plotted as agreed2.3 Provide detailed notes to individual screenwriters on the story, character, continuity, conventions and style of their scene breakdown |
Element: |
3. Story and script edit scripts |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Identity strengths and weaknesses of plot, character, continuity, dialogue and big print in the screenwriters' first draft scripts3.2 Ensure appropriate balance of stories according to series requirements3.3 Ensure the story, character, continuity, conventions and style meet series requirements3.4 Time script to episode and series requirements 3.5 Provide detailed editing notes on exposition, story, character, continuity, conventions and style for the screenwriter3.6 Suggest new or restructured scenes to enhance the narrative |
Element: |
4. Story and script edit final script |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Ensure each screenwriter has addressed problems identified in first draft4.2 Identity strengths and weaknesses of plot, character, continuity, dialogue and big print in second draft of script4.3 Ensure appropriate balance of stories according to series or serial requirements4.4 Ensure story, character, continuity, conventions and style meet series or serial conventions4.5 Restructure scenes and assist in the development of new scenes to develop narrative as required4.6 Resolve problems of exposition of the story, including characters, setting and main conflicts.4.7 Edit dialogue and big print to enhance conflict, subtext, pace and character 4.8 Time script to episode and series requirements4.9 Liaise with screenwriting team to provide further edits as required in meeting established timelines |
Learning Outcomes
By taking this course, you'll acquire the skills to plot and write a pilot episode for your own show, complete a series bible, and devise strategies for taking your project to the local and international marketplace.
Details of Learning Activities
In this course, you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
- lectures
- teacher directed group activities/projects
- class exercises to review discussions/lectures
- peer teaching and class presentations
- group discussion
- class exercises to review discussions/lectures
- analysis/critique of students’ writings
2. Out-of-class activities:
- independent project based work
- writing and reading assignments
- online and other research
- independent study
Teaching Schedule
Semester 1, 2022
Week |
Class Content |
Assessment |
Elements |
Week 1 |
Overview of course content and assessment requirements The story and script editor. Group presentation: initial planning & personality compass Skills Inventory Sample Scripts Exercise: Lake Catani. |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
Week 2 |
Group presentation: discussion & drafting Exercise: The language, approaches and methods employed in the screenwriting process Creating and developing a dynamic core character Our collaborative work - discussion and development Initial assignment: Lake Catani The Story Engine. |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
Week 3 |
Your premise: define a simple, compelling idea and a place to set it Developing an awareness of the market Present series ideas. Creating engaging characters. The Character Dynamic. Backstory. |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
Week 4 |
Your characters: use personal sourcing and ongoing research to create a nucleus of key characters. Market Report. Creating a market analysis. Exercise: Monologue and Dialogue |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
Week 5 |
Intro to Series Bible Preparation for Assessment 1: Research story arc Script Editing: scene and sequence analysis Structural Modification Story Hooks and Character Transition |
|
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, PSWDTV604 1, 2 |
Week 6 |
Synopses. A & B stories. Basic story components and concepts. Pitch your pilot story arc Pitch/perform your draft monologue Work on story beats |
Assessment Task 1 - Part A |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2 |
Week 7 |
Monologue readings. Pitch/perform your draft monologue Episode structure. |
Assessment Task 1 - Part B |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2 |
Week 8 |
The core concept. Loglines. Theme. Pitch/perform your draft monologue Conflict & story development: how do we break the rules? |
Assessment Task 1 - Episode Beat Sheet |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2 |
Week 9 |
Set ups & pay offs. The Scene Breakdown. Feedback and editoing. Segment plotting Story Conference Debrief and Feedback Guest: TBA |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
Week 10 |
Script edit meetings. Segment Plotting Story Conference Debrief and Feedback (cont'd) |
Assessment Task 2 - Part B |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Mid-semester break from Friday 15 April to Monday 25 April, inclusive. |
|||
Week 11 |
Script Editing: Script Re-writing and Polishing Scene writing Reversals. Readings and Feedback. |
Assessment Task 2 - Parts A & C |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Week 12 |
Writing scenes. Readings and feedback. |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
Week 13 |
Readings and feedback. |
Assessment Task 3 - Part A |
PSWDTV603 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 3, 4 |
Week 14 |
Draft script readings (cont’d) The Writers Room and Roles. Series structure. |
Assessment Task 3 - Part A |
PSWDTV603 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 3, 4 |
Week 15 |
Workshop scripts. Feedback scripts. Scene Breakdowns Draft script readings (if required) Discuss semester 2 assignments. Pitch ideas for second semester. The Pitch. |
Assessment Task 3 - Part A |
PSWDTV603 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 3, 4 |
|
Semester 2, 2022
Week |
Class Content |
Assessment |
|
Week 1 |
Redrafting: the key to successful drama and a rewarding career Reshaping Skills: Structure and Rhythm |
Assessment Task 3 - Part B & C |
PSWDTV603 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 3, 4 |
Week 2 |
Face to face meetings |
Assessment Task 3 - Part B & C |
PSWDTV603 1, 2 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Week 3 |
Face to face meetings |
Assessment Task 3 - Part B & C Assessment Task 5 - Knowledge Test |
PSWDTV603 1, 2 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Week 4 |
Your bible: key character/s, their story arcs, and the story arena Editing your bible for maximum impact |
PSWDTV603 1, 2 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
Week 5 |
Table reads of Edited Collaborative Scripts |
PSWDTV603 1, 2 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
Week 6 |
Table reads of Edited Collaborative Scripts (cont'd) Putting together a successful pitch Planning for success Face to face meetings (cont'd) |
PSWDTV603 1, 2 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
Week 7 |
Face to face meetings (cont'd) |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
Week 8 |
Your bible Face to face meetings (cont'd) |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
|
Mid-semester break from Monday 29 August to Friday 2 September, inclusive. |
||
Week 9 |
Visually pitch your project (including market-ready self assessment) (cont’d) |
Assessment Task 3 - Part D |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Week 10 |
Visually pitch your project (including market-ready self assessment) (cont’d) |
Assessment Task 3 - Part E |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Week 11 |
Guest speaker: Is your project ready for the market? |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
Week 12 |
Table readings of full draft script/final bible pitch (cont’d) |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
Week 13 |
Table readings of full draft script/final bible pitch (cont’d) |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
Week 14 |
Table readings of full draft script/final bible pitch (cont’d) |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
|
Week 15 |
No scheduled meeting: semester review TBC |
Assessment Task 4 - Part A & B |
PSWDTV603 1, 2, 3, 4 PSWDTV604 1, 2, 3, 4 |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
You will require access to a computer and to the internet for this course. RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.
The University Library has extensive resources and provides subject specialist expertise, research advice, help with referencing and support through:
The Learning Lab
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/learning-lab
The Study Support Hub
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/study-support/study-support-hub
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is ongoing throughout the course. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights to your writing tasks.
Assessment Tasks
Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.
You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria.
Assessment 1: Research story arc
Due: Week 8, Sem 1
You need to research a TV drama series, along with a main character for the series.
Assessment 2: Plotting and First Scene Breakdown
Due: Week 11, Sem 1
You are asked to collaboratively story edit, write and script edit the pilot episode of a proposed new TV drama series, discussing stories, researching the area, establishing the dramatic premise and question, developing characters for the show, deciding on a house style, and writing and script editing the pilot.
Assessment 3: Facilitate a Reading Presentation
Due: Week 10, Sem 2
This assessment will enable you to hear your work read, and to complete an initial draft of your pilot episode script.
Assessment 4: Final Pilot
Due: Week 15, Sem 2
You are required to submit the final pilot script and complete bible for your show, and facilitate the table reading of an extended sequence from your original TV series or serial.
Assessment 5: Knowledge assessment
Due: Week 3, Sem 2
This assessment is a short-answer knowledge assessment designed to assess your knowledge of marketing your project, script and story development, and the craft of story and script editing.
Once you have achieved competency for all assessments in a unit of competency, you will receive an overall result. If you have not completed an assessment task to a satisfactory standard, you will be given an opportunity to resubmit that task within one week of receiving feedback from your teacher. If the resubmission is deemed unsatisfactory, the matter will be referred to the Program Coordinator.
Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did not Submit for Assessment
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These matrices are available through Program Administration.
Other Information
Attendance
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises
It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.
Information about your studies
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
Assessment
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time):
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
Course Overview: Access Course Overview