Scriptwriting and Directing: Short Film Production
Overview
This unit applies theoretical frameworks to the major principles of professional screenwriting and directing for film and television. In working in a major crew role on the production of a short narrative film, students will develop an understanding of screenwriting, directing and film production as a collaborative process. They will further develop effective skills in communication, negotiation, project management and resilience to see their film projects through to a best possible outcome.
Requisites
AND
Admission into:
Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours)
OR
Bachelor of Film and Television
01-June-2025
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Develop and pitch a well-structured and engaging script concept for a short narrative film
- Apply creative writing and critical thinking skills in collaboratively crafting a screenplay for a short narrative film
- Apply constructive feedback to review and edit a screenplay for a short film production
- Develop effective communication and negotiation skills in the direction and production of a short film project
- Apply effective project management and team-work skills within a major crew role in the production and postproduction of a short narrative film
- Apply theoretical principles to critically evaluate and analyse the effectiveness of screenwriting and directing techniques and production strategies
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Studio | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| Specified Activities Various | 12.00 | 8 weeks | 96 |
| Unspecified Activities Various | 2.00 | 9 weeks | 18 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production Assignment | Individual/Group | 50% | 2,3,4,5,6 |
| Project 1 | Individual | 25% | 1,6 |
| Project 2 | Group | 25% | 2,3,6 |
Content
- Screenwriting theory and practice
- Pitching short film ideas
- Writing a synopsis
- Directing actors and improvisation
- The practice of film and television through key elements of writing, directing, editing, acting, cinematography, sound, production design
- Audience engagement and empathic response
- Creating credibility and conflict through writing and directing
- Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
- Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Teamwork roles and processes
- Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy
- Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Technical literacy
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.