AustLit
Description
This subject is designed to develop skills in the fields of writing for film, television, radio and live performance, as well as exploring notions of writing as performance. Emphasis is on fostering students' creativity, originality and daring, with exercises, improvisations and script analysis aimed at developing craft skills. The subject is run by workshopping scripts and investigating character, emotional truth, form, dramatic action, rhythm, pace, dialogue and imagery. Critical approaches to the various media are encouraged.
Teaching and learning strategies
Students participate in a range of instructive exercises and writing games to stimulate creative imagination and investigate elements of the craft and structure of writing for performance.
Script examples from screen, sound and stage are studied to illustrate writing techniques, and to challenge students to explore imaginative ways of developing their own project.
Screenings and listening to radio plays.
Participate in in-class writing exercises that explore the three different mediums.
Participate in critical discussions and interactive workshop and performance activities.
Write a first draft of their script idea to be workshopped.
Redraft their script following workshopping.
Students are strongly encouraged to experience a variety of writing for performance through reading, viewing, attending live theatre and listening to radio plays, in conjunction with studying standard industry formats for scripts.
Content
The focus is on the creative development of the skills of writing for performance, stimulated by workshop activities, writing and performance exercises, reading, viewing, listening, analysis, reflection and critical discussion. A context is created through the study of examples of scripts with traditional and alternative structures, as well as critical analysis of practices within the various media, screen, sound and stage.
Assessment
Assessment item 1: The Idea
Objective(s):a, d
Weighting:40%
Task:Students engage creatively with storytelling by writing an original opening set-up in each of the three mediums: screen, sound and stage using standard industry script layout. This should be accompanied by an outline of the story the student wishes to pursue, followed by half a page of writer's notes arguing which is the most appropriate medium for it.
Assessment criteria:
Originality of the idea.
Degree of creative engagement.
Technical requirements for each medium.
Analysis of the work.
Assessment item 2: The Script
Objective(s):b, c, d
Weighting:60%
Task:Students are to revise and redraft their chosen script idea from the workshopped first draft, responding creatively to self-assessment and to any appropriate critical feedback received. Submit a full revised draft of the chosen script using standard industry script layout appropriate to the chosen medium.
Assessment criteria:
Performability of the work.
Coherence and logic of the structure.
Integration of self-assessment and any appropriate critical feedback received.
Adherence to appropriate script format.
Supplementary Texts
Text and References
Writing for Performance, Screen, Sound and Stage Reader: 50168. Available from the Union Shop on Level 3 of the Tower Building and also held in the library.
Barker, H Arguments for a Theatre, Manchester: Manchester University Press New York St Martin's Press 1997
Castagno, Paul C. New Playwriting Strategies, New York London Routledge 2001
Cooper, P and Dancyger, K Writing the Short Film, Boston Focal Press 1994
Crook, T Radio Drama: Theory and Practice, London, Routledge, 1999
D'Vari, Marisa Script Magic: Subconscious Techniques to Conquer Writer's Block, Studio City CA: Michael Wiese Productions 2000
Gallacher, T The Way to Write for the Stage, London: Elm Tree 1987
Griffiths, S How plays are made, London: Heinemann 1982
Noel, G - Playwriting : a practical guide for students of all ages, New York: Routledge. 2004
Richards, K Writing Radio Drama, Sydney Currency Press 1991
Seger, L Making a good script great, New York Dodd, Mead & Co 1987 (see pp.3-26 for 'The Three Act Structure'.) 1987
Vogler, C The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structures for Storytellers and Screenwriters, Studio City, Ca, Michael Wiese Productions (see pp.13-31 for an outline of the hero's journey) 1992
MaCauley A: Don't Show Me Tell Me: Directors Talk About Acting, Currency Press 2003
Meyrick J: See How It Runs, Currency Press 2004
Radio Scripts
Adams, D The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, London and Sydney Pan 1985
Thomas, D Under Milkwood, London Aldine Press 1954, 1968
Holt, R 13 Aug Speaking of Angela 'Airplay' Unpublished ABC RN 2000
Keene, D The Telling, 'Airplay' Unpublished ABC RN, 18 March, 2001
Zimdahl, C Family Running for Mr Whippy, Unpublished ABC Radio 1995
Stage Scripts
Bell, H Wolf Lullaby Sydney: Currency Press Press 2002
Duong, Le Quy Meat Party Sydney: Currency Press 2000
Enoch, W and Mailman, D The Seven Stages of Grievin Brisbane: Playlab, 1996
Fierstein, H Torch Song Trilogy, New York, N.Y.: The Gay Presses of New York1978, 1983
Genet, J The Maids London: Faber & Faber 1965, 1952
Kemp, J Call of the Wild in Allen, Richard James, and Pearlman, Karen, (eds.) Performing the unNameable, Sydney: Currency Press 1999
Murray, P Wallflowering Sydney Currency Press 1992
Rankin, S and Purcell, L Box the Pony, Sydney: Hodder Headline Australia 1999
Romeril, J Miss Tanaka (based on a Xavier Herbert short story) Sydney Currency Press in association with Playbox Theatre, Melbourne. 2001
Shange, N For colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf: A choreopoem, London: Eyre Methuen 1977
Stoppard, T The Real Inspector Hound, London: Faber and Faber. 1991 /1968
Hare D, Stuff happens: Faber and Faber London 2005
Harrower D, Blackbird, Faber and Faber London 2007
Frankland R, Conversations With The Dead, Currency Press 2004
Other Details
Levels:
Undergraduate
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