Course Title: Draft a feature screenplay
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2024
Course Code: COMM7409C
Course Title: Draft a feature screenplay
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
Teacher: Neil Triffett
Teacher: Kath Dolheguy
Nominal Hours: 90
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 course requires you to have completed all first year courses.
Course Description
In this course you will generate a market appropriate feature film screenplay to an advanced stage, develop the appropriate accompanying short documents as well as a plan for what to do with the project once you graduate. You will also develop the knowledge and skills required by a script editor to work with a writer, either through a film production company or independently, to edit and develop a feature length script.
This course addresses the following units of competency, clustered for delivery and assessment:
NAT11115004 Draft a feature screenplay
NAT11115006 Script edit a feature film
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
NAT11115004 Draft a feature screenplay |
Element: |
1. Establish screenplay requirements |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Identify purpose and requirements for drafting with relevant people 1.2 Clarify the vision for the production 1.3 Establish and confirm development timelines 1.4 Maintain an open and productive dialogue with relevant people during the redevelopment process |
Element: |
2. Develop screenplay story |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Devise a strong, sustainable premise to underpin the screenplay and offer story momentum 2.2 Determine complex characters appropriate for a cinematic narrative 2.3 Evaluate strength of the story to generate workable narrative ideas 2.4 Experiment freely with styles and structures to advance the story 2.5 Collaborate with others in developing a strong, dynamic story arc |
Element: |
3. Develop the synopsis for the feature screenplay |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Write a synopsis that describes the story, characters and their motivation 3.2 Outline screenplay's dramatic, thematic and cinematic purpose 3.3 Seek feedback and incorporate any changes as appropriate |
Element: |
4. Develop the treatment for a feature screenplay |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Write a treatment that tells a dynamic cinematic story in prose 4.2 Create a scene-by-scene logline of the screenplay narrative as required 4.3 Convey story and the way it will be told cinematically, in a strong, creative and engaging manner 4.4 Weave subplots creatively into the main story 4.5 Describe character motivation, thought and feeling in the treatment 4.6 Use cinematic language to convey the film's narrative 4.7 Complete treatment to the agreed timelines |
Element: |
5. Develop the feature screenplay script |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Review and clarify changes on the treatment from relevant people to assist in drafting the script 5.2 Write scripts to the approved subplot breakdown 5.3 Create dynamic scenes that dramatise the screenplay story 5.4 Create strong images that develop the story with a strong visual sense 5.5 Establish and maintain the character point of view throughout the story 5.6 Maintain continuity of character, time and place throughout the scene 5.7 Finalise script to the required deadline |
Learning Outcomes
In this course you will generate a market appropriate feature film screenplay to an advanced stage, develop the appropriate accompanying short documents as well as a plan for what to do with the project once you graduate. You will also develop the knowledge and skills required by a script editor to work with a writer, either through a film production company or independently, to edit and develop a feature length script.
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
Week |
Class Content |
Assessment |
1 |
HOMEWORK:
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2 |
HOMEWORK:
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3 |
HOMEWORK:
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I |
4 |
HOMEWORK:
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5 |
*Kath's MONDAY Class - No class this week due to Labour Day holiday**
HOMEWORK:
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6 |
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7 |
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MID SEMESTER BREAK - 29th March - 7th April |
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8 |
HOMEWORK:
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9 |
HOMEWORK:
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10 |
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11 |
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12 |
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13 |
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14 |
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15 |
No scheduled class: Semester review TBC |
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SEMESTER 2
Week |
Class Content |
Assessment |
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1 |
Introduction and Overview of Semester and Assessments Principles of Script Reports Dialogue and Dialogue Redrafting *First Script Editor Meeting |
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2 |
Discussion of Assigned Viewing
Script Feedback Continued: Analysing Character, Themes, Structure, and writing Synopses.
First Meeting with Script Editor to clarify requirements for Script Reports
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3 |
Guest Speaker: Budget and Marketability *Script Editor Meeting |
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4 |
Redrafting Strategies *Script Report Due |
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5 |
Coverage and Script Notes. Redrafting exercises. *Review your script feedback and decide on your changes |
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6 |
Redrafting Examples and Exercises Meeting Script Editors to clarify feedback. *Present a short overview of the feedback you got and the changes you WILL be making in your redraft over the next 3 weeks. |
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7 |
Redrafting in class (Student doing own work with teacher present to answer questions) *Non teacher facing - you are writing your script |
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Mid-semester break: Mon 2nd – Fri 6 Sep, inclusive |
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8 |
Redrafting in class (Student doing own work with teacher present to answer questions) *Non teacher facing - you are writing your script |
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9 |
Redrafting in class (Student doing own work with teacher present to answer questions) *Non teacher facing - you are writing your script |
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10 |
*30 pages of script read in class Script Workshops: sharing first 30 pages of script and synopsis, aiming to complete 4 a class, and receiving feedback.
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11 |
*30 pages of script read in class Script Workshops: sharing first 30 pages of script and synopsis, aiming to complete 4 a class, and receiving feedback. |
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12 |
*30 pages of script read in class Script Workshops: sharing first 30 pages of script and synopsis, aiming to complete 4 a class, and receiving feedback. |
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13 |
*30 pages of script read in class Script Workshops: sharing first 30 pages of script and synopsis, aiming to complete 4 a class, and receiving feedback. |
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14 |
*30 pages of script read in class Assessment Task 5 - review. Submission this week. What to do with your finished Screenplay. |
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15 |
Marking week - No class attendance |
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 Task 1: Short documents
Like a screenplay, a successful short document – especially a one-page synopsis – has a strong basis in structure, gives the reader the tone and themes of the project, and should leave them with a sense that they should absolutely read the screenplay.
Due: Semester 1, Week 7
Assessment Task 2: Treatment
Part A – Write a 10-page treatment for the proposed draft of your own feature film. The treatment must be
written in prose, setting out the dramatic and cinematic way you intend to ‘treat’ the story in terms
of style and unfolding narrative.
PART B – Productive dialogue
Give and receive feedback on the one-page synopsis of another student. Meet with the student and offer thoughts on
their treatment development, giving guidance on character, theme, plot and structure for their treatment.
Due: Semester 1, Week 13
Assessment Task 3:Script editor’s report and development meetings
PART A – A script editor's report is used to empower the writer to continue their work and undertake the next draft of their project with confidence and direction as well as used to support funding applications and make
recommendations to producers and production companies. The purpose of this assessment is to demonstrate
your ability to effectively analyse screen story elements such as story, plot, character, dialogue, theme, and
marketability.
PART B – In conjunction with preparing and delivering your script report, you are tasked to conduct short development meetings with the writer of the project on which you are reporting. In these meetings you will discuss their progress, ask
pertinent questions, determine the strengths and weaknesses of the work in progress, and present feedback in a positive manner.
Due: Semester 2, Week 4
Assessment Task 4: Third draft feature film
You will submit your feature film screenplay. It should be a full draft feature film with a minimum of 80 pages and a maximum of 110. You should include, along with your feature screenplay, a 1-page account of your response of the feedback you received on the work in progress, and how, and if, you implemented it.Due: Semester 2, Week 13 Assessment Task 5: Knowledge assessment This assessment is a short-answer knowledge assessment designed to assess your knowledge of Draft a feature
screenplay and Script edit a feature film.
Due: Semester 2, Week 14
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
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