ATS2845 - Screenwriting for media production - 2019

Successful screen-based media productions start with an engaging story that has been skillfully envisaged. In this unit students will draw upon practical theories of screenwriting to transform real-world research into industry standard scripts for both non-fiction and fiction productions. The unit will introduce basic strategies for concept development and demonstrate how to write supporting 'short docs' such as synopsis, outlines and treatments. Students will then apply stylistic conventions and narrative theories of screenwriting to transform these into shoot-ready scripts for non-fiction and fiction media productions. Where possible, students will be given an opportunity to pitch their final scripts to industry professionals for constructive feedback.

Upon successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:

1. recognise and use industry-standard story documents in writing for both non-fiction and fiction screen-based media;
2. develop strategies for transforming real-world research into concepts for non-fiction and fiction media production;
3. create a 'short doc' as a basis for writing non-fiction or fiction script;
4. apply narrative strategies, concepts and devices to create compelling screen-based media production scripts (non-fiction and fiction);
5. illustrate how the scripting process responds to wider production factors such as pitching, budget, distribution and marketing in different mediums.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Film and screen studies

Screen