Course Title: Script and story edit television drama

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2024

Course Code: COMM7412C

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.

 

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: 

Cameron Clarke:

cameron.clarke@rmit.edu.au

 

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

Enrolment in this course 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:

NAT11115005  Create a drama series
NAT11115007  Script and story edit television drama

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	NAT11115007 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 session 1.2 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 information 1.4 Establish timelines with the screenwriters for the completion of stories and scene breakdown 1.4 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 style 2.2 Ensure scenes are structured and plotted as agreed 2.3 Provide detailed notes to individual screenwriters on the story, character, continuity, conventions and style of their scene breakdown
Element:	3. Script and story edit scripts
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Identity strengths and weaknesses of plot, character, continuity, dialogue and big print in the screenwriters' first draft scripts 3.2 Ensure appropriate balance of stories according to series requirements 3.3 Ensure the story, character, continuity, conventions and style meet series requirements 3.4 Time script to episode and series requirements 3.5 Provide detailed editing notes on exposition, story, character, continuity, conventions and style for the screenwriter 3.6 Suggest new or restructured scenes to enhance the narrative
Element:	4. Script and story edit final script
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Ensure each screenwriter has addressed problems identified in first draft 4.2 Identity strengths and weaknesses of plot, character, continuity, dialogue and big print in second draft of script 4.3 Ensure appropriate balance of stories according to series or serial requirements 4.4 Ensure story, character, continuity, conventions and style meet series or serial conventions 4.5 Restructure scenes and assist in the development of new scenes to develop narrative as required 4.6 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 requirements 4.9 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 pitch deck, 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

Week	Class Content	Assessment
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
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.
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.
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
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
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 (Brainstorm and Workshop a TV Series Concept & Market Report)
Week 7	Monologue readings. Pitch/perform your draft monologue Episode structure.	Assessment Task 1 - Part B (Monologue)
	Mid-semester break: Friday 29 Mar –Friday 5 Apr, inclusive
Week 8	The core concept.  Loglines. Theme. Pitch/perform your draft monologue Conflict & story development: how do we break the rules?	Assessment Task 1 - Part C (Episode Beat Sheet)
Week 9	Set ups & pay offs. The Scene Breakdown. Feedback and editing. Segment plotting Story Conference Debrief and Feedback Guest: TBA
Week 10	There will be no Thursday class this week due to Anzac Day. Content scheduled for this week will be covered in other weeks.   Script edit meetings. Segment Plotting  Story Conference Debrief and Feedback (cont'd)	Assessment Task 2 - Part A (Feedback Notes on Beat Sheet)
Week 11	Script Editing: Script Rewriting and Polishing Scene writing Reversals Readings and Feedback	Assessment Task 2 - Part B (Scene Breakdown and Feedback Notes on Scene Breakdown) Assessment Task 2 - Part C (Write minimum 10 pages of First Draft)
Week 12	Writing scenes. Readings and feedback.
Week 13	Readings and feedback.	Assessment Task 3 - Part A (Pitch Deck) Assessment Task 3 - Part B (Bible)
Week 14	Draft script readings (cont’d) The Writers Room and Roles. Series structure.
Week 15	Workshop scripts. Feedback scripts. Scene Breakdowns Draft script readings (if required) Discuss semester 2 assignments. Pitch ideas for second semester. The Pitch.

 

Semester 2

 

Week	Class Content	Assessment
Week 1	Redrafting: the key to successful drama and a rewarding career Reshaping Skills: Structure and Rhythm
Week 2	Face to face meetings
Week 3	Face to face meetings
Week 4	Your bible: key character/s, their story arcs, and the story arena Editing your bible for maximum impact
Week 5	Table reads of Edited Collaborative Scripts	Assessment Task 5 - Knowledge Test
Week 6	Table reads of Edited Collaborative Scripts (cont'd) Putting together a successful pitch Planning for success Face to face meetings (cont'd)
Week 7	Face to face meetings (cont'd)
	Mid-semester break: Mon 2 Sep – Fri 6 Sep, inclusive
Week 8	Your bible Face to face meetings (cont'd)
Week 9	Visually pitch your project (including market-ready self assessment) (cont’d)
Week 10	Visually pitch your project (including market-ready self assessment) (cont’d)
Week 11	Guest speaker: Is your project ready for the market?
Week 12	Table readings of full draft script/final bible pitch (cont’d)
Week 13	Table readings of full draft script/final bible pitch (cont’d)	Assessment Task 4 - Part A (Draft script) Assessment Task 4 - Part B (Series bible)
Week 14	Table readings of full draft script/final bible pitch (cont’d)
Week 15	No scheduled meeting: semester review TBC

 

 

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: Research, character monologue and beat sheet

You will work in a team of 4 students who will be your project partners (fellow screenwriters) to develop an original TV drama series.

Part A – Research and identify opportunities. Due Sem 1, Week 6

Part B – Create a monologue for one of your characters. Due Sem 1, Week 7

PART C – Create a synopsis and beat sheet for an episode of your choice. Due Sem 1, Week 8

Assessment Task 2: Plotting and scene breakdown

Part A – Story Edit Beat Sheet. Acting as Story Editor, you will assess and provide feedback notes on the Beat Sheet of a fellow writer in your team. Due Sem 1, Week 10

PART B – Scene Breakdown. Armed with your Story Editor's notes, you will take your Beat Sheet to Scene Breakdown. Due Sem 1, Week 11

PART C - Write minimum 10 pages of first draft. Due Sem 1, Week 11

Assessment Task 3: Create a television series bible and pitch deck

PART A – Visually pitch market-ready project – Create a ten-page Pitch Deck you might supply to a producer or network developer after a pitch. Due Sem 1, Week 13

PART B – Create a draft of your series bible (final bible should be 8–10 pages). Due Sem 1, Week 13

Assessment Task 4: Final episode draft, table reading and bible

Part A – Draft Script. Professionally formatted, running time of at least 24 minutes. Due Sem 2, Week 13

Part B – Completed series bible will include (8-10 pages). Due Sem 2, Week 13

Assessment Task 5: Knowledge Test

This assessment is a short-answer knowledge assessment designed to assess your knowledge of the processes involved in creating a drama series. Due Sem 2, Week 5

 

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.  

Course Overview: Access Course Overview