Overview
This unit of study builds on the foundation provided by MMST11009 Digital Video and Audio to teach visual storytelling concepts. You will learn how to create a screenplay for a live-action narrative short film through the application of visual storytelling principles. You will develop industry standard documents and visual aids related to the pre-production of a narrative short film. You will learn how to constructively critique screen stories through an exploration of screen culture and history.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: MMST11009 Digital Video and Audio
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2022
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Have Your Say
Student feedback indicated that the first assignment took focus away from their writing.
The first Assessment Item in Term 1 2021 was a report analysing the structure of a feature film screenplay in depth. Since the focus of the course is writing a screenplay for a short film it is recommended that the scope of this analysis be scaled down. The assignment can then also include analysis of an early class writing project. This will help the course have a tighter focus on students' screenwriting.
- Create a screenplay for a live-action narrative short film through the application of visual storytelling principles
- Create industry-standard pre-production documents and visual aids
- Constructively critique a range of screen stories within the context of screen culture and history.
Not applicable
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||
2 - Written Assessment - 30% | |||
3 - Written Assessment - 40% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | |
1 - Communication | |||
2 - Problem Solving | |||
3 - Critical Thinking | |||
4 - Information Literacy | |||
5 - Team Work | |||
6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
8 - Ethical practice | |||
9 - Social Innovation | |||
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures |
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
2 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
3 - Written Assessment - 40% |
Textbooks
Crafting Short Screenplays That Connect
Edition: 2nd (2012)
Authors: Johnson, Claudia H.
Focal Press
Burlington Burlington , MA , USA
ISBN: 9781136051296
Binding: eBook
LIVING WITH A CREATIVE MIND
Edition: 1 (2011)
Authors: Crabtree, Jeff ; Crabtree, Julie
Zebra Collective
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780987104601
Binding: Paperback
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You about Being Creative
Edition: 1 (2012)
Authors: Kleon, Austin
WORKMAN PUBLISHING
New York New York , NY , USA
ISBN: 9780761169253
Binding: Paperback
The Heroine's Journey
Edition: 1 (1990)
Authors: Murdock, Maureen
Shambhala
Boston Boston , MA , USA
ISBN: 0877734852
Binding: Paperback
VIDEO PRODUCTION 101: DELIVERING THE MESSAGE
Edition: 1 (2014)
Authors: Manriquez, Antonio; McCluskey, Tom
Pearson Higher Ed
USA
ISBN: 978-0-13-382553-4
Binding: eBook
Writing for the Screen
Edition: 1 (2017)
Authors: Weinstein, Anna
Routledge
New York New York , NY , USA
ISBN: 9781317370536
Binding: eBook
Writing the Short Film
Edition: 3 (2017)
Authors: Cooper, Patricia; Dancyger, Ken
Focal Press
Burlington Burlington , MA , USA
ISBN: 9781136048579
Binding: eBook
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- The free subscription service StudioBinder (www.studiobinder.com) will be used to write in screenplay format.
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
b.murphy@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
From Script to Screen
Chapter
Readings and activities provided on Unit Moodle Site
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 Briefing
Module/Topic
The Storyworld
Chapter
Readings and activities provided on Unit Moodle Site
Events and Submissions/Topic
Writing exercise: World building
Module/Topic
Chapter
Readings and activities provided on Unit Moodle Site
Events and Submissions/Topic
Class discussion of the Script Analysis Report
Module/Topic
Formatting a Screenplay
Chapter
Readings and activities provided on Unit Moodle Site
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment Item 2 briefing
Module/Topic
Developing Characters for the Screen
Chapter
Readings and activities provided on Unit Moodle Site
Events and Submissions/Topic
Writing exercise: Character and narrative
Module/Topic
No Classes
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The Reading Room
Chapter
Readings and activities provided on Unit Moodle Site
Events and Submissions/Topic
Table reads for Assessment Item 2 begin
Module/Topic
Script Reviewing
Chapter
Readings and activities provided on Unit Moodle Site
Events and Submissions/Topic
Table reads for Assessment Item 2 continue
Module/Topic
Script Notes and Iteration
Chapter
Readings and activities provided on Unit Moodle Site
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment Item 3 briefing
Screenplay: First Draft, Mood Board and Table Read Due: Week 8 Monday (2 May 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Script Supplementary Documents
Chapter
Readings and activities provided on Unit Moodle Site
Events and Submissions/Topic
Table reads for assessment item 3 begin
Module/Topic
The Second Draft: Writers on writing
Chapter
Readings and activities provided on Unit Moodle Site
Events and Submissions/Topic
Table reads for Assessment Item 3 continue
Module/Topic
How to Pitch your Screenplay
Chapter
Readings and activities provided on Unit Moodle Site
Events and Submissions/Topic
Two minute pitch
Table reads for Assessment Item 3 continue
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Table reads for Assessment Item 3 continue
Screenplay: Final Draft, Electronic Press Kit and Table Read Due: Week 12 Friday (3 June 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
This assessment item comprises:
- A report presenting your analysis of the narrative structure, plotting, characterisation, dialogue and visual and audio elements in a selected feature film. In your discussion you will also consider how and why the narrative structure of a selected short film differs from that of the feature film (20 marks)
- A short writing exercise focusing on world-building (5 marks)
- A short writing exercise focusing on character and dialogue (5 marks).
The list of feature films and short films will be made available on the Moodle site.
In the writing exercises you will individually redraft and improve a text generated in a collaborative class exercise. You must include a short explication justifying the decisions you made in creating your individual version of the exercise by referring to key concepts from the course material.
Detailed requirements will be provided on the class Moodle site.
Marking guide
Script Analysis Report
17-20 Your report was concise, complete and demonstrated expert knowledge, analysis and highly professional writing skills. Your references were highly appropriate and demonstrated sound research into narrative structure and characterisation. You clearly made links between course concepts and elements of the screenplays. This report approximates a professional level of analysis.
15-16.5 Your report was complete, demonstrated knowledge of the course material and presented robust analysis and highly professional writing skills. Your references were appropriate.
13-14.5 Your report was mostly complete and demonstrated analytical and academic writing skills. Your references were mostly appropriate. While you made justifiable observations, there is room for more depth in your analysis and/or clarity in your writing.
10-12.5 Your report was somewhat complete, demonstrating some analysis. References were included. While arguments are mostly justifiable and no important concepts were misapplied, there is a clear need for more depth and clarity.
0-9.5 Your submission was incomplete, required further development and more appropriate references. Closer adherence to the brief and more engagement with learning resources would have been beneficial.
Writing Exercise: World-building
5 Your writing is original and skilfully situates a character in a world that enhances and enriches the narrative. You demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the relationship between narrative and a character’s environment and experience of the world. Your explication is clear, concise, well-written and effectively uses relevant references.
4 Your writing is original and effectively situates a character in a world that assists narrative development. You demonstrate a good understanding of the relationship between narrative and a character’s environment and experience of the world. Your explication is clear, well-written and uses relevant references.
3 Your writing is mostly original, and the environment and background of the character is appropriate for the story being told.
0-2 Your writing is not sufficiently original, does not clearly relate the character to his or her world or does not significantly vary from the source material from the class exercises.
Writing Exercise: Character and dialogue
5 Your writing is original and skilfully uses dialogue to portray character. Your dialogue is very natural when read in the “voice” of the character(s). You demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the relationship character and dialogue. Your explication is clear, concise, well-written and effectively uses relevant references.
4 Your writing is original and effectively uses dialogue to portray character. Your dialogue is mostly appropriate when read in the “voice” of the character(s). You demonstrate a sound understanding of the relationship character and dialogue. Your explication is clear, concise, well-written and uses relevant references.
3 Your writing is mostly original and there is a relationship between character and narrative.
0-2 Your writing is not sufficiently original, does not effectively match dialogue to character or does not significantly vary from the source material from the class exercises.
Vacation Week Tuesday (12 Apr 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
Submit PDF file via Unit Moodle Site
Week 7 Friday (29 Apr 2022)
Marks and feedback will be returned via Moodle
Please refer to the Assessment Brief on the Unit Moodle site for full details of the Assessment Criteria.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Constructively critique a range of screen stories within the context of screen culture and history.
2 Written Assessment
This assignment has three components:
- The first draft of a screenplay for a short live action film that would run for three to seven minutes if produced
- A Mood Board of five to ten referenced screen stills conveying the intended look and mood and genre of the production
- Participation in a class table read where feedback is sought from and offered to peers.
Full requirements for the first draft screenplay, mood board and table read will be provided on the Unit Moodle Site.
Marking Criteria
Draft Screenplay
17-20 Your draft screenplay represents a very high standard of writing. You use plot, characterisation and narrative structure very effectively and it is evident that you are skilfully applying key course concepts in the development of your screenplay. Your use of standard screenplay formatting is exemplary.
15-16.5 Your draft screenplay represents a high standard of writing. You use plot, characterisation and narrative structure effectively and it is evident that you are applying key course concepts in the development of your screenplay. Your use of standard screenplay formatting is of a good standard.
13-14.5 Your draft screenplay represents a reasonable standard of writing. There are no significant flaws in your use of plot, characterisation, narrative or formatting.
10-12.5 You have written a coherent draft screenplay but there is a clear need for improvement in terms of plot, characterisation and narrative structure clarity.
0-9.5 You have not produced a coherent screenplay and/or there are serious deficiencies in terms of plot, characterisation, narrative structure and/or written expression.
Mood board
5 All images are effective and in combination convey a broad range of aspects of the envisaged production. There is a clear relationship between the draft screenplay and the mood board.
4 Nearly all images are effective and in combination meaningfully convey aspects of the envisaged production. There is a relationship between the draft screenplay and the mood board.
3 The images convey aspects of the envisaged production that are consistent with the draft screenplay.
0-2 The images do not give a clear impression of the envisaged production and/or do not clearly relate to your draft screenplay.
Table read participation
5 Your participation in the table read was exemplary. You read well, using appropriate expression. You attended multiple readings and asked constructive questions each time.
4 Your participation in the table read was very good. You read well. You attended multiple readings and asked some constructive questions.
3 Your participation in the table read was sound. You read effectively and asked at least one constructive question.
0-2 Your attendance was limited and/or you did not read effectively.
Week 8 Monday (2 May 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
Submit PDF file via Unit Moodle Site
Week 10 Monday (16 May 2022)
You must participate in a table read prior to submitting this assessment item. Feedback for the draft screenplay will come from class and lecturer discussion and notes from your lecturer following the table read. Marks and feedback for the other components will be returned via Moodle.
Please refer to the Assessment Brief on the Unit Moodle site for full details of the Assessment Criteria.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Create a screenplay for a live-action narrative short film through the application of visual storytelling principles
- Constructively critique a range of screen stories within the context of screen culture and history.
3 Written Assessment
For this assessment item you are required to:
- Produce the final draft of a screenplay for a live action short film that would run for three to seven minutes if produced
- Produce an electronic press kit (EPK) for the screenplay
- Participate in class table reads where feedback is sought from and offered to peers.
Full requirements for the final draft, electronic press kit and table reads will be provided on the Unit Moodle Site.
Marking Criteria
Draft Screenplay
21-25 Your screenplay represents a very high standard of writing. You use plot, characterisation and narrative structure very effectively and it is evident that you are skilfully applying key course concepts in the development of your screenplay. Your use of standard screenplay formatting is exemplary. You have effectively incorporated feedback from the table reads.
19-20.5 Your screenplay represents a high standard of writing. You use plot, characterisation and narrative structure effectively and it is evident that you are applying key course concepts in the development of your screenplay. Your use of standard screenplay formatting is of a good standard. You have incorporated feedback from the table reads.
16.5-10 Your screenplay represents a reasonable standard of writing. There are no significant flaws in your use of plot, characterisation, narrative or formatting. Your screenplay has incorporated some feedback from the table reads.
12.5-16 You have written a coherent screenplay but there is a clear need for improvement in terms of plot, characterisation and narrative structure clarity and/or limited evidence of the application of feedback from table reads
0-12 You have not produced a coherent screenplay and/or there are serious deficiencies in terms of plot, characterisation, narrative structure and written expression and/or limited incorporation of feedback from the table reads.
Electronic Press Kit
8.5 -10 The EPK is attractive and conveys the nature of the production effectively. Written expression is exemplary. There is a focus on the screenwriter as someone with an interesting story to tell, and a clear sense of an audience for the production.
7.5-8 The EPK is attractive and conveys the nature of the production. Written expression is very good. The EPK presents the screenwriter effectively and conveys the some sense of an audience for the production.
6.5-7 The EPK conveys the mood and genre of the production and has relevant things to say about the screenwriter.
5-6 The EPK conveys the mood and genre of the production in a general manner.
0-4.5 The images do not give a clear impression of the production and/or do not clearly relate to your draft screenplay.
Table read participation
5 Your participation in the table read was exemplary. You read well, using appropriate expression. You attended multiple readings and asked constructive questions each time.
4 Your participation in the table read was very good. You read well. You attended multiple readings and asked some constructive questions.
3 Your participation in the table read was sound. You read effectively and asked at least one constructive question.
0-2 Your attendance was limited and/or you did not read effectively.
Week 12 Friday (3 June 2022) 11:59 pm AEST
Submit PDF file via Unit Moodle Site
Exam Week Friday (17 June 2022)
You must participate in a table read prior to submitting this assessment item. Feedback for the draft screenplay will come from class and lecturer discussion and notes from your lecturer following the table read.
Please refer to the Assessment Brief on the Unit Moodle site for full details of the Assessment Criteria.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Create a screenplay for a live-action narrative short film through the application of visual storytelling principles
- Create industry-standard pre-production documents and visual aids
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.