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AustLit

Scriptwriting: Television Drama (FAV4203)
2010

Description

This unit develops skills in planning, researching and scripting drama for television – series, serials, sitcoms or telemovies. Some fact-based programs will be considered. Students will have the opportunity to develop a major project in an area of choice.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. recognise the distinctive characteristics of television formats and genres and how these relate to programming and script requirements;

2. demonstrate an understanding of the elements of dramatic structure, writing for the screen, script structure and format;

3. produce concepts, storylines, scene breakdowns and a script for a project in an area of choice;

4. understand the role of script and scriptwriter in the production process and current industry practice;

5. identify appropriate sources of funding and marketing strategies for television concepts and scripts;

6. demonstrate a high level of critical and aesthetic competencies.

UNIT CONTENT

1. Analysis and discussion of television programmes and how broadcast conventions and organisational factors affect script and programmedesign.

2. Exercises in creating, structuring and writing material for television.

3. Further experience in preparing docudrama and drama programmes.

4. Development of a major script project for television, through the stages of concept, series ‘bible’, scene breakdown and first draft.

5. Consideration of how to 'pitch' or sell a project, markets for scripts, and locating sources of funding.

6. Analysis of script problems and development of editing solutions for subsequent drafts.

Assessment

Workshop exercises

45%

Assignment

25%

Creative Work - Major project

30%

Supplementary Texts

RECOMMENDED:

Drouyn, C. (1995). Big screen, small screen. Sydney: Allen and Unwin.

Haddrick, G. (2001). Top Shelf 1 Reading & Writing the Best in Australian Television Drama, Sydney: Currency Press

Haddrick, G. (2001). Top Shelf 2 Five Outstanding Television Screenplays Sydney: Currency Press

Vorhaus, J. (1994). The comic toolbox. Sydney: Allen and Unwin.

SIGNIFICANT REFERENCES

Armer, A. (1993). Writing the screenplay for TV and film. (2nd ed.). California, USA: Wadsworth.

Atherton, G. (1992). Mother and son: 5 scripts. Sydney: Currency Press.

Caswell, R. (1984). Scales of justice. Sydney: Currency Press.

Dancyer, K. (1992). Broadcast writing: Drama, comedies and documentary. London: Focal.

Egri, L. The art of dramatic writing: It's basis in the creative interpretation of human motives. New York: Simon and Schuster.

Liquorice, V. (1990). Debut on two. London: BBC.

McKee, Robert (1998) Story. London: Methuen

Middlemass, J. (1992). Research for film and television. Sydney: AFTRS.

Paice, E. (1984). The way to write for television. London, U.K: Elm Tree Books, Hamish Hamilton Ltd.

Schwarz, L. (1989). The craft of writing TV comedy. London: Allison & Busby.

JOURNALS

Saunders, J. (1994). Absolutely Fabulous. London: BBC Books.

Galton, R. and Simpson, A. (1987). The best of Hancock. Ringwood, Victoria: Penguin.

Frontline (1995).

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