Course Title: Write an episode of a television series
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2023
Course Code: COMM7406C
Course Title: Write an episode of a television series
Important Information:
Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.
School: 515T Creative Industries
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6180 - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting
Course Contact: Alan Woodruff
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4307
Course Contact Email: alan.woodruff@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Teachers:
Cameron Clarke
Tim Marshall
Nominal Hours: 85
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
None.
Course Description
This unit explores the skills and knowledge required to write an episode of an existing television series or serial. Television script writing is highly collaborative and requires writers to be able to work effectively with story editors, script editors and script producers. The ability to work to deadlines, meet the production requirements of a particular show and develop story material creatively and efficiently in a pressured environment are some of the essential skills required by successful screenwriters, and you'll practise those across the semester.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
NAT11115001 Write an episode of a television series |
Element: |
1. Develop story in a team |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Establish genre, form and style of the television series as part of the team 1.2 Contribute to identifying a creative and sustainable dramatic premise and dramatic question for the episode 1.3 Provide pitch story ideas and plot points that are appropriate for show's and episode's requirements 1.4 Contribute to the creation of engaging character arcs appropriate for show's and episode's requirements 1.5 Determine and agree on team's allocation of scene breakdowns and timelines in developing the episode |
Element: |
2. Develop scene breakdowns |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Describe the essential story beats and character arcs of each scene using strong, engaging prose in the appropriate format 2.2 Ensure continuity of character, place and time of previous episodes 2.3 Develop stories that are balanced and use powerful imagery to dramatise the story 2.4 Ensure character development is within production requirements 2.5 Discuss any proposed changes with others in the story team 2.6 Complete scene breakdowns to agreed timelines, and in required format |
Element: |
3. Develop scripts |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Write scripts to the approved scene breakdown 3.2 Compose dynamic dialogue with strong subtext for the scenes 3.3 Address problems of exposition using a creative and dramatic approach 3.4 Create dynamic scenes that dramatise the story 3.5 Create strong images that develop the story with a strong visual sense 3.6 Establish and maintain the character point of view throughout the story 3.7 Maintain continuity of character, time and place throughout the scene 3.8 Time scenes to meet program requirements 3.9 Complete draft scripts to agreed timelines and in the required format |
Element: |
4. Finalise scripts for television episode |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Seek feedback from others in the story team on the draft scripts 4.2 Address any identified problems of exposition and repetition in a creative and dramatic manner in the revised script 4.3 Delete or add scenes in the revised script as required 4.4 Strengthen character motivation in the revised script as required 4.5 Increase dramatic stakes in the revised script where possible 4.6 Time scenes accurately to program requirements 4.7 Complete final scripts of the episode to agreed timelines and in the required script format |
Learning Outcomes
On completing this unit, you will have developed the craft skills required to collaboratively plot, develop and write storylines, scene breakdowns and early script drafts of a television series or serial.
Details of Learning Activities
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
Note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability of resources.
Week |
Content |
Assessment due |
1 |
Introduction to the semester’s work and assessment. From storyline to first draft - the process. Synopsis, scene breakdown, drafts. What makes a good concept for a television show? Identifying the story engine. Groups for AT1-3 formed |
|
2 |
The Series Bible – premise, logline, synopsis, characters and character arcs, story arcs, genre, audience, format, theme. Identify TV series suitable to write for. Brainstorming, story generation and story conferencing. Groups to start brainstorming episode ideas |
|
3 |
Groups to continue workshopping episode ideas for AT1 Discussion of pitches - and practice pitches for AT1 |
|
4 |
AT1 Verbal Pitches in class |
Assessment 1 due (IN CLASS AS VERBAL PITCH) |
5 |
What is a scene breakdown? Set up & Pay off Episode structure & plotting A and B stories Character Arcs Writers Rooms - Outlining |
|
6 |
Dramatic question, wants, needs, goals, values, conflict, subtext, character revelation, exposition, power shifts, drama Tim's class - teacher meetings for Scene breakdowns |
|
7 |
Set ups and Payoffs revisited. Plotting and Scene Structure / Scene writing toolbox Non linear structure Script Editor 1-on-1 meetings for Scene breakdowns Group feedback |
|
|
|
|
8 |
Dialogue Big Print Scene Breakdown table reads in groups for final polish |
|
9 |
Genre Reversals Script Formatting Working on scripts and ensuring correct techniques applied Editing and Redrafting Working in Writer's Room Teams to work on and edit drafts |
|
10 |
AT3 Part A Meeting with your Script Editor AT3 Scripts Table reads |
Assessment 2 due Assessment 3 PART A Due In-Class |
11 |
AT3 Scripts Table reads |
|
| 12 | AT3 Scripts Table reads |
|
13 |
AT3 Scripts Table reads |
|
14 |
Final review of drafts in teams |
Assessment 3 PARTS B & C due |
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. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include participation in class exercises, oral presentations and practical writing tasks. Full assessment briefs will be provided.
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: TV Episode Pitch: due Week 4
Assigned teams of 4-6 will decide on the existing Australian or International TV show you will pitch episodes for.
As a team you will begin discussion and brainstorm of new original episode ideas for this show (each student will pitch an episode idea). Students will need to discuss with their team and identify story ideas, focusing on creativity, sustainable and dramatic plots that are appropriate to the TV shows and episode requirements. NOTE: Engaging and working with your team forms part of your assessment criteria so you need to ensure attendance and participation in these meetings.
Each member of your team will individually present a verbal pitch of their episode idea to the class. Each student's pitch should be no more than 5 minutes.
Assessment 2: Episode outline: due Week 10
You are to write and submit a report, and a TV episode scene breakdown based upon the episode idea you pitched in Assessment Task 1. Your team will have time in class each week to help each other plot their individual episodes, however this is an individual assessment item. Every team member will individually write their report (Part A), which they will submit alongside to their individual episode scene breakdown (Part B).
You will each be assigned a Script Editor from within your team who will be required to give you written and verbal feedback during an in-class meeting.
Part A
Each student should write a covering report of 500 words, as per instructions provided.
Part B
Your TV episode scene breakdown should be between 5-7 pages long.
Assessment 3: Write a TV Episode, Part A due Week 10, Parts B & C due Week 14
You are to demonstrate your ability to write a half-hour episode based on the script outline and scene allocation from Assessment Task 2. The script should be for a half-hour episode, approximately 24 pages, and should be based upon the scene breakdown from Assessment Task 2. This is an individual assessment.
Part A - Meeting with Your Script Editor
You will have 1 meeting at this stage to work with your assigned Script Editor.
Part B - Developing and Writing the script based on your scene breakdown
Adhering to your scene breakdown you completed in Assessment Task 2, you will need to write the script for your episode.
Part C – Project Report
All students should document their timeline of working on their episode, from idea creation to the production of the script, and include this in their assessment overview/introduction.
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