Each week the class will participate in discussion exercises aimed at developing screenwriting skills. Your Screenwriting Workbook comprises a series of exercises based around the weekly content. Detailed descriptions of these exercises are provided week-by-week in the Moodle site. 

Screenwriting Workbook (30 marks): List of exercises to be compiled into the First Assessment:

• Week 1: Writing exercise: Generating story ideas (5 marks - 1 to 2 pages)
• Week 2: Written analysis of the three-act structure in a feature film selected from the options provided.  (5 marks - approximately 2 pages)
• Week 3: Writing exercise: Creation of a storyworld for a character and situation chosen from options provided. (5 marks - 1 to 2 pages)
• Week 4: Written analysis of the structure of a short film screenplay chosen from the options provided (5 marks - 2 pages)
• Week 5: Writing exercise a): develop a character for a hypothetical narrative chosen from options provided (5 marks - 1 to 2 pages)
• Week 5: Writing exercise b): Write a page of dialogue between the character in part a and character selected from the options provided  (5 marks - 1 page).

Marking Criteria for analytical exercises

• 5 marks: Excellent writing demonstrating a very strong grasp of concepts covered in the week's content. Excellent written expression. Excellent referencing where appropriate. Approximates a professional standard of writing
• 4 marks: Very good writing demonstrating a strong grasp of concepts covered in the week's content. Very good written expression. References are correctly used where appropriate
• 3 marks: Sound writing demonstrating an understanding of concepts covered in the week's content
• 0-2 marks: The written exercise does not demonstrate a sound ability to apply concepts from the week's content.

Marking criteria for writing exercises

• 5 marks: Excellent writing demonstrating a sophisticated use of techniques and concepts covered in the week's content. Excellent written expression. Approximates a professional standard of writing
• 4 marks: Very good writing demonstrating an ability to make use of techniques and concepts covered in the week's content. Very good written expression
• 3 marks: Writing that soundly demonstrates an ability to make use of techniques and concepts covered in the week's content
• 0-2 marks: The written exercise does not demonstrate a sound ability to apply concepts from the week's content.

This assessment item is worth 30 marks and comprises:

• The first draft of a screenplay for a short live action film that would run for three to seven minutes if produced (15 marks)
• Three exercises that form the second part of your Screenwriting Workbook. (15 marks)

Screenwriting Workbook Exercise Topics:

• Week 7: Writing Exercise: Write two versions of a provided scenario - one using action with intercuts, the other using montage. (5 marks - 2 to 3 pages)
• Week 8: Writing Exercise: Give brief notes on a provided draft screenplay (5 marks - one to two pages)
• Week 9: Moodboard Exercise: Provide six images that would help a reader understand the look, feel, mood and genre of your screenplay as you envisage it. (5 marks - 6 images with captions and source references where relevant.)

Full requirements for all elements of this assessment will be provided on the Moodle Site.

Important notes on the drafting process and table reads

It is important that you participate in the compulsory in-class table read sessions. Table reads begin in Week 7. You should present an initial, rough draft of your screenplay for a table read and incorporate feedback into the first draft, which you will submit as part of this assessment item.

If there are equity or access grounds preventing your participation, contact your lecturer to arrange for an alternative method of receiving feedback on  your draft.

A note on feedback

The table read sessions will be carefully guided by your Lecturer. Take careful note of the feedback and discussion points that arise in these sessions, as they are at least as important as the feedback you will receive with your returned assignment.

Marking Criteria for the draft screenplay

• 13-15 marks 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 skillfully applying key course concepts in the development of your screenplay. Your use of standard screenplay formatting is exemplary.
• 11-12.5 marks: 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.
• 9.5 -10.5 marks: Your draft screenplay represents a reasonable standard of writing. There are no significant flaws in your use of plot, characterisation, narrative or formatting. Your use of standard screenplay formatting is sound.
• 7.5 - 9 marks: You have written a coherent draft screenplay but there is a clear need for improvement in terms of plot, characterisation and narrative structure clarity. Your adherence to standard screenwriting format is acceptable.
• 0-7 marks: You have not produced a coherent screenplay and/or there are serious deficiencies in terms of plot, characterisation, narrative structure and/or written expression.

Marking criteria for the Screenwriting Workbook exercises

Week 7 and Week 8

• 5 marks: Excellent writing demonstrating a sophisticated use of techniques and concepts covered in the week's content. Excellent written expression. Approximates a professional standard of writing.
• 4 marks: Very good writing demonstrating an ability to make use of techniques and concepts covered in the week's content. Very good written expression.
• 3 marks: Writing that soundly demonstrates an ability to make use of techniques and concepts covered in the week's content
• 0-2 marks: The written exercise does not demonstrate a sound ability to apply concepts from the week's content.

Week 9

• 5 marks: 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. All images have been credited appropriately.
• 4 marks: 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. All images have been credited appropriately.
• 3 marks: The images convey aspects of the envisaged production that are consistent with the draft screenplay. For the most part images have been credited appropriately.
• 0-2 marks: The images do not give a clear impression of the envisaged production and/or do not clearly relate to your draft screenplay.

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 (25 marks)
• Produce an electronic press kit (EPK) that would market your screenplay as if it were a completed short film (10 marks)
• Produce a written piece reflecting on the process that led to your final draft, with reference to your table read feedback.   (5 marks, approximately 2 pages)

Full requirements for the final draft, electronic press kit and written reflection will be provided on the Course Moodle Site.

Important notes on the drafting process and table reads

It is important that you participate in the compulsory in-class table read sessions. You should present the first draft from Assessment Item Two for a table read and incorporate your feedback into your final draft. You will not be eligible for marks for the written reflection if you have not participated in the table read.

If there are equity or access grounds preventing your participation, contact your lecturer to arrange for an alternative method of receiving feedback on your draft.

A note on feedback

The table read sessions will be carefully guided by your Lecturer. Take careful note of the feedback and discussion points that arise in these session, as they are at least as important as the feedback you will receive with your returned assignment. Feedback accompanying your returned assessment will address your screenwriting strengths and weaknesses. 

Draft Screenplay:

• 21-25 marks: 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 marks:  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. 
• 16.5-18 marks: Your screenplay represents a reasonable standard of writing. There are no significant flaws in your use of plot, characterisation, narrative or formatting
• 12.5-16 marks: You have written a coherent screenplay but there is a clear need for improvement in terms of plot, characterisation, narrative or formatting
• 0-12 marks: You have not produced a coherent screenplay and/or there are serious deficiencies in terms of plot, characterisation, narrative structure and written expression.

Electronic Press Kit

• 8.5 -10 The EPK is impactful 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 impactful and conveys the nature of the production. Written expression is very good. The EPK presents the screenwriter effectively and appeals to a specific audience.
• 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.

Written Reflection

NB: To gain marks for this component you must have participated in the table read process. If, on equity grounds, your Lecturer arranged an alternative process, you must have participated in that process.

• 5 marks: Your reflection demonstrates an exemplary level of written expression. You have made very effective use of feedback to improve your draft. You participated constructively in more than one table read. Your final draft is much improved on your first draft
• 4 marks: Your participation in the table read process was good. You have made use of the feedback that has been provided to you 
• 3 marks: Your participation in the table read process was sound. You read effectively and asked at least one constructive question. Some development has occurred since your first draft as a result of feedback.
• 0-2 marks: Your attendance was limited and/or it is not clear that feedback has been incorporated or that significant redrafting has occurred.