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.

Please refer to the Assessment Brief on the Unit Moodle site for full details of the Assessment Criteria.

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.

Please refer to the Assessment Brief on the Unit Moodle site for full details of the Assessment Criteria.

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.

Please refer to the Assessment Brief on the Unit Moodle site for full details of the Assessment Criteria.