Overview

This unit introduces students to methods and techniques that are used in the writing and directing of short films. The unit will explore narrative film and the roles of the writer and director in creating, understanding and conveying meaning. This introductory unit provides students with an understanding of the working methods of scriptwriting and directing that can be applied to their own filmmaking.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Admission into:

Bachelor of Film and Television
OR
Bachelor of Film and Television (Animation)
OR
Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours)

Concurrent prerequisites
FTV10007 Postproduction and Editing
FTV10008 Production Techniques
Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Reflect on themes, subtext, meanings in writing and directing short films
  • Analyse narrative story ideas in short films
  • Apply industry standard formatting to the development of short documents, drafts and director’s statements
  • Use key script writing techniques on initial idea development, pitching, character development, structure, and short documents
  • Prepare director's statement reflecting an aesthetic approach to the script
  • Prepare a “directorial” vision based on interpretation of the written text in order to convey meaning
  • Identify film production methods in terms of impact on the social and natural environment

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Workshop		3.00 12 weeks 36
Specified Activities
Various		2.00 2 weeks 4
Specified Activities
Various		6.00 2 weeks 12
Specified Activities
Various		4.00 3 weeks 12
Specified Activities
Various		4.00 6 weeks 24
Unspecified Activities
Various		5.17 12 weeks 62
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
90 Second Script, Documentation and Pitch PresentationIndividual 50% 1,2,3,4 
Directors Statement, Visualisation Folio and Pitch PresentationIndividual 50% 1,2,5,6,7 

Content

  • Structure in narrative film
  • Industry standards
  • Character development
  • Thematic development
  • Writing ideas, short documents and drafts
  • The director’s statement

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.