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.
45%
Assignment
25%
Creative Work - Major project
30%
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).
