Major Project: Screen Writing
Overview
This unit introduces students to the advanced principles of short form screen writing. Students will participate in writing and pitching a short form narrative or non-narrative film. In working on individual and group projects students will demonstrate and develop independent and collaborative skills in producing written documents that align with industry standard practice.
Requisites
200 credit points in:
Bachelor of Film and Television
OR
Bachelor of Film and Television (Animation)
OR
Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours)
OR
Bachelor of Games and Interactivity or its related double degrees
OR
Bachelor of Animation or its related double degrees
01-June-2025
01-June-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Develop and research a treatment and script for a Major Project in the form of a short film or animation
- Demonstrate film and television language skills as appropriate to the writing of a narrative, documentary or animated film, television pilot or promo or equivalent production commensurate with the Major Project
- Apply the skills of ideation and screen writing in the development of the Major Project
- Prepare and deliver a pitch to sell ideas through the development of a proposal, treatment, screenplay and ancillary documents
- Evaluate the impact of the production process within a social and environmental context on creative practice
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Lecture | 1.00 | 4 weeks | 4 |
| On-campus Studio | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| On-campus Studio | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| On-campus Studio | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Specified Activities Various | 5.00 | 12 weeks | 60 |
| Unspecified Activities Various | 4.00 | 12 weeks | 48 |
| TOTAL | 148 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment | Individual | 20% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Final Pitch and Documentation | Group | 50% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Journal | Individual | 30% | 1,2,3,5 |
Content
- Pitching and selling ideas
- Screenplay research and development
- Writing creative treatments for screen works
- Drafting scripts and ancillary documentation
- Interpretation of the script in relation to directing, acting, production design, cinematography, music, editing and sound design
- The emotional response and complexity of ideas.
- Working within a team and assessing peer performance and contributions
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.