Course Title: Write for childrens television
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2024
Course Code: COMM7415C
Course Title: Write for childrens television
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
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 elective course at RMIT requires you to have completed all first year courses.
Course Description
Children's TV is a key component of the local industry, and this course delivers the skills and knowledge required to write engaging children's television in both live action and animation formats for children's screen productions. This course addresses the following unit of competency: NAT11115010.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
NAT11115010 Write for childrens television |
Element: |
1. Identify concept for a children's television series |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Establish a sustainable premise suited for a younger audience. 1.2 Identify the market, potential producers, broadcasters and funding opportunities for the series 1.3 Clarify genre, format and narrative conventions of the series 1.4 Ensure content is appropriate to the television classification and other cross-platform applications 1.5 Develop major story and character arcs for the series 1.6 Consider any industry standards, regulatory and social and cultural impacts |
Element: |
2. Develop concept |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Collaborate with other screenwriters to clarify goals and vision for the concept and establish timelines for the development of the concept 2.2 Develop a synopsis and/or treatment that clearly and dramatically tells the story 2.3 Use feedback from the screenwriting team to develop story and character further, to create depth and complexity 2.4 Ensure themes are creatively integrated into the narrative 2.5 Create subplots that enhance the premise and themes 2.6 Maintain open and effective communication with the team during the development process |
Element: |
3. Plot episode |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Work collaboratively with the team to plot an episode to program requirements, using effective story structure, characters, character arcs and story conventions. 3.2 Write a scene breakdown that clearly conveys plot, character arcs, story conventions and style 3.3 Plot the scene breakdown to required timelines. |
Element: |
4. Develop pitch bible and script |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Write scenes that convey plot, characters and character arcs as agreed in scene breakdown 4.2 Ensure dialogue is character-specific, scenes advance the narrative and exposition is dramatically integrated 4.3 Consult with script editor, screenwriting team or other relevant people on any proposed changes to plot or character 4.4 Complete pitch bible and script to the agreed dramatic and stylistic conventions, ensuring that any industry standards, regulatory and social and cultural impacts are addressed |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, you will have developed the skills and knowledge required to write engaging material for children's screen productions. You will build your understanding and overview of the importance of children's television both locally and internationally.
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
| Week 1 |
Overview of the course. Overview of children's television, children's television in Australia, and the global world of children's television Fairytales, children, and violence Children's television and genre Responsibility The role of education in children's television |
|
| Week 2 |
The TV bible Brainstorming, story conferencing and workshopping Visual style and form Workbook |
|
| Week 3 |
Synopses and treatments Programming requirements and regulations The children's TV market Workbook |
|
| Week 4 |
Character Scene Breakdowns |
|
| Week 5 |
Time spent in development workshop groups. Episodes |
Assessment Task 1 due Tuesday March 12th |
| Week 6 |
A & B stories Time spent in development workshop groups. Work on scene breakdowns |
|
| Week 7 |
Non-narrative shows Time spent in development workshop groups. |
|
Mid-semester break: Friday 29 Mar – Friday 5 April, inclusive. |
||
| Week 8 |
Structuring an ep. Time spent in development workshop groups |
|
| Week 9 |
Set ups and payoffs Using information Time spent in development workshop groups |
|
| Week 10 |
Cross-platform opportunities Time spent in development workshop groups |
Assessment Task 2 due Tuesday April 23rd |
| Week 11 |
Adaptation Dialogue for kids Table reads and feedback |
|
| Week 12 |
Reversals Positive and negative values The scene and sequence Children's television pitch decks Table reads and feedback |
|
| Week 13 |
Pitching Animation Time spent in development workshop groups Work on pitch decks and scripts Script readings |
|
| Week 14 |
Time spent in development workshop groups Work on Assessment Task 3 Script readings |
|
| Week 15 | PITCH WEEK! |
Assessment Task 3 due Tuesday May 28th |
| Week 16 | No scheduled class meeting: semester review TBA |
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: Children's TV concept workbook
During your development of an original children’s TV series, you will collaborate with other screenwriters to clarify goals and vision for the concept and establish timelines for the development of the concept. Your concept should be developed with the aim of eventually writing a sample script (for a 24-minute episode), or multiple scripts (for 2 x 11-minute episodes) for your original children’s television series.
Due: Week 5
Assessment Task 2: Bible
For this assessment you are expected to write a first draft bible for your original children’s television series. Brainstorming, workshopping, group discussion and feedback from your writing team are an intrinsic part of the process.
Due: Week 10
Assessment Task 3, Parts A & B: Script and Pitch Deck
For this assessment (assessment 3) you are expected to write a sample script (for a 24-minute episode), or multiple scripts (for 2 x 11-minute episodes) for your own original children’s television concept to a professional standard (Part
A). Additionally, you will create a minimum 10-page pitch deck in PowerPoint form (Part B).
Due: Week 15
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