CUF50107 DIPLOMA OF SCREEN AND MEDIA - FILMMAKING

Screenwriting I Subject Outline 2014

Specialist Unit Code: CUFWRT402A - Write Extended Stories
Core Unit Code: BSBCMM401A Make a presentation
Subject: FILM150 - Screenwriting I
Trainer/Assessor: Tony Cavanaugh
Nominal Duration: 35 Hours

Purpose

1.

Course Description
This course introduces the established tools and language used in writing a film project. Students will
take a story from initial idea, treatment, and outline to a rough draft and finally a shooting script.
Instruction focuses on the fundamentals of visual storytelling. The intersection of story structure,
theme, character, tension, and conflict is examined through detailed scene analysis. In-class
discussion provides students with constructive analysis and support. Students are encouraged to tell
their stories visually, rather than relying on dialogue.
Course Objectives
This course will provide you with an overview of screenwriting fundamentals and the essential
elements of story and character development. Through instruction and group workshops, you will
learn to execute a short film story from concept to shooting script. Each student will participate in inclass writing exercises as well as several script workshops that coincide with their production
requirements in the directing course, including the mise-en-scene, the continuity film, the music video,
the non-sync sound film and finally the Digital Dialogue.

Pre-requisites

2.
None
3.

Unit Competency Requirements

Unit: CUFWRT402A Write Extended Stories

Units
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
2.6

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

3.4

4.1

4.2

4.3

2.3

2.4

2.7

3.1

3.2

3.3

4.4
Skills

S.1

S.2

S.3

S.4

S.5

Knowledge

K.1

K.2

K.3

K.4

K.5

K.6

K.7

1.4

1.5

2.1

2.2

3.2

3.3

K.4

K.5

Unit: BSBCMM401A Make A Presentation

Units
1.1
1.2
1.3
2.5

2.6

3.1

Skills

S.1

S.2

S.3

Knowledge

K.1

K.2

K.3

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4.

Subject Content

Student Learning Objectives

- Students will gain confidence in the craft of writing a short screenplay that is ready to produce
- Students will learn to approach the process of screenwriting with an analytical eye on film
story structure.
- Students will learn proper screenwriting format using professional screenwriting software.
- Each student will participate in in-class writing exercises elucidating film storytelling concepts
and techniques.
- Students will learn to revise their work through feedback from fellow classmates in the class
workshops.
- Each student will complete several shooting scripts that coincide with their production
requirements in the directing course, including the mise-en-scene, the continuity film, the
music video, and the non-sync sound film, as well as the Semester 1 and Final Film projects.
5.

Assessment Strategy

5.1.

Assessment Method

The following methods will be used:

- Written assignments
- In-Class Workshops
- Film deliverables
Weighting procedures
Students are graded on their attempt to apply the concepts and principals taught within the course to
the script for their Final Film.
The final grade is comprised of the Final Film script broken into the following components: In-Class
Workshops & Draft Screenplay Assignment (Weighting 50%), Digital Dialogue Film Script (Weighting
25%), Final Film Synopsis & Outline (Weighting 10%)
Assignments are required to be handed in at 9.00am on the due date, before the beginning of class.
Attendance at all classes is necessary. It is the students responsibility to contact the New York Film
Academy Australia if they are unable to attend classes, workshops, field trips or meet with their
student group for assignments and productions. For information on the late submission of
assignments, refer to the NYFA Australia Student Handbook for more information. Below is the
Assessment Plan for this subject.

Assessment Item

Submission /
Extra Notes for
Assessment Date the Assessment

Assignment 1: In-Class Workshops & Draft

Screenplays (Weighting 20%)
Marking will be based upon the level and quality of
On going: as per class
work delivered in the in-class workshops during the
schedule
running of the course for: Mise-En-Scene, Continuity,
Music, Non-Sync, POV and Digital Dialogue Films.
See: Screenwriting 1 Assignment Sheet 1

- Assignment to be
completed as
individuals.
- Hard copies to be
handed in at
the beginning
of class.

Assessment 1 Elements
1 - BSBCMM401A Make a presentation (Core)
1. Prepare a presentation
2. Deliver a presentation
3. Review the presentation

14 - CUFWRT402A Write extended stories

(Elective)
1. Analyse extended story-writing requirements
2. Prepare to write extended stories
3. Draft extended stories
4. Write final drafts

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Assignment 2: POV Drafts and Deliverables

(Weighting 25%)

On going See class

schedule and
Assignment Sheet for
Due Dates.

Drafts of the POV Dialogue script, Treatment, Step

Outline and Character Breakdowns.
See: Screenwriting 1 Assignment Sheet 2

- Assignment to be
completed as
individuals.
- Hard copies to be
handed in at
the beginning
of respective
classes.

Assessment 2 Elements
1 - BSBCMM401A Make a presentation (Core)
1. Prepare a presentation
2. Deliver a presentation
3. Review the presentation

14 - CUFWRT402A Write extended stories

(Elective)
1. Analyse extended story-writing requirements
2. Prepare to write extended stories
3. Draft extended stories
4. Write final drafts

Assignment 3: Digital Dialogue Drafts and

Deliverables (Weighting 35%)
Drafts of the Digital Dialogue script, Treatment, Step
Outline and Character Breakdowns.

On going See class

schedule and
Assignment Sheet for
Due Dates.

See: Screenwriting 1 Assignment Sheet 3

- Assignment to be
completed as
individuals.
- Hard copies to be
handed in at
the beginning
of respective
classes.

Assessment 3 Elements
1 - BSBCMM401A Make a presentation (Core)
1. Prepare a presentation
2. Deliver a presentation
3. Review the presentation

14 - CUFWRT402A Write extended stories

(Elective)
1. Analyse extended story-writing requirements
2. Prepare to write extended stories
3. Draft extended stories
4. Write final drafts

Assignment 4: Final Film Deliverables and Pitch

(Weighting 20%)
Pitch your synopsis for your (One Year) Final Film
projects in class. Written Assessment items: Synopsis
(Logline), One Page Treatment, Step Outline and
Character Breakdowns.

Hard copies to
be handed in
at the
beginning of
class 14.

See: Screenwriting 1 Assignment Sheet 4

Assessment 4 Elements
1 - BSBCMM401A Make a presentation (Core)
1. Prepare a presentation
2. Deliver a presentation
3. Review the presentation

14 - CUFWRT402A Write extended stories

(Elective)
1. Analyse extended story-writing requirements
2. Prepare to write extended stories
3. Draft extended stories
4. Write final drafts

New York Film Academy Australia students are required to hand their work in on time. If there is a
problem that hinders a student from handing their work in by the prescribed due date, then the
situation must be detailed in writing (email acceptable) and submitted to the Trainer (and copied to the
Academic Manager) before the due date. The Trainer, in consultation with the Academic Manger, will
make a decision based on the merits of the case presented. For fairness, equality and consistency of
marking you need to follow these steps.
If your Trainer gives you feedback that assessment items should be reworked, in part or in whole,
then you will only be permitted one (1) reassessment of each item at no cost. As many of the Practical
Assignments are completed in groups, it may be necessary to ask a classmate(s) to help in a
reassessment. If more than one reassessment of an item is required then the negotiated fee (based
on the time needed for the Trainer to reassess and administration costs) will be charged. Should you

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need to re-sit an exam due to an unsatisfactory result, then a negotiated date, within one (1) week of
the first attempt, must be worked out with the Academic Manger of the school.
5.2.

Conditions of Assessment

All written assignments must conform to the Assignment Policy in the NYFA Australia Student
Handbook, including the submission on a NYFA Australia Assignment Cover Sheet. Assignments
must be typed unless otherwise specified. Students are required to demonstrate safe work practices.
Written examination conditions apply. Students are given 10 minutes perusal prior to commencing an
examination on theoretical understanding. A supervisor is present during the conducting of exams.
Resubmission

Assessment
requirements

When a student is not yet successful in an assessment piece they may be

eligible to resubmit the assignment at a time organised by the trainer. There
must be at least an 85% class attendance or evidence of extenuating
circumstances (financial or medical) for this to be considered.

Keeping a copy of
every assignment
Assessment
Schedules

Assignments need to be well presented with the NYFA Australia

Assignment Cover Sheet and include: student name, subject,
assignment name, assignment number, date and index.
It is recommended that assignments be typed using a word processor.
Hand written assessment will not be accepted unless hand written work
is prescribed on the Assignment Sheet.
Assignments are to be handed in the NYFA Australia Administration
Office at 9am on the Due Date, before the beginning of class.

Students need to ensure they keep a copy of any assignments they submit.
You may find that many assignments will be due in the last week because
they often represent the finalisation and submission of ongoing work. These
should be worked on during the semester and not left till the last minute. The
date listed will often be the last date for submission but if you manage to
complete some of these assignments earlier you can submit them by
arrangement with your trainer and they will then be out of the way. If you
have any concerns in relation to the nature or conduct of your assessment or
the feedback on your assessment please discuss the issue with your trainer.
You can also lodge a Client Service Feedback form to NYFA Australia if you
wish.

6.

Delivery

6.1.

Delivery Strategy

This subject has both a theory and practical component since it aims to teach the principles then use
them in practice. The following delivery strategies will be used:
- Lectures
- Practical sessions
6.2.

Resource requirements

Essential facilities and equipment supplied by the New York Film Academy Australia:
- Apple iMac
- Celtx (screenwriting software)
6.3.

Occupational Health & Safety Requirements

A safe work environment will be provided for students in use of the equipment and at New York Film
Academy Australia. All students must adhere to Occupational Health and Safety Requirements at all
times. This includes assignment work that is performed away from campus without supervision by a
Trainer.
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7.
CLASS
#1

Schedule
PROGRAM
- Course introduction
- The Story Spark
- Brainstorming Exercise

COURSEWORK

ASSESSMENT

Read: Story
- Introduction
- 1. The Story
Problem

- Discussion of Mise-en-Scene
#2

- Character development, Character arc

- Workshop: Mise-en-Scene

#3

- Screenplay formatting
- Workshop: Continuity Film

#4

- 3-Act Structure
- Writing to Music
- Workshop: Music Film

#5

- The Heros Journey

- Workshop: Music Film Revision

#6

- Visual storytelling
- Workshop: Non-Sync Film Treatment

#7

- Obstacles, Conflict
- Workshop: Non-Sync Film Script

#8

- Theme
- Subplot

Read: Story
Assignment 1:
- 2. The
Mise-en-scene
Structure
Script Due
Spectrum
- 3. Structure
and Setting
Read: Story
Assignment 1:
- 4. Structure Continuity Film
and Genre
Script Due
- 5. Structure
and Character
Read: Story
Assignment 1:
- 6. Structure Music Film Script
and Meaning Due
- 7. The
Substance of
Story
Read: Story
Assignment 1:
- 8. The Inciting Non-Sync Film
Incident
Treatment Due
- 9. Act Design
Read: Story
- 10. Scene
Design

Assignment 1:
Non-Sync Film
Script Due

Read: Story
- 11. Scene
Analysis

Assignment 1:
Non-Sync Film
Script Due

Read: Story
Assignment 2:
- 12.
POV Treatment
Composition Due

- Workshop: POV Treatment

#9

- Dialogue
- Workshop: POV Screenplays

#10

- Style, Mood and Tone

- Workshop: Digital Dialogue Treatment

Read: Story
- 13. Crisis,
Climax,
Resolution

Assignment 2:
POV Screenplay
Due

Read: Story
- 14. The
Principal of
Antagonism

Assignment 3:
Digital Dialogue
Treatment Due

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#11

- Short Film Style Analysis

- Workshop: Style

Read: Story
Assignment 3:
- 15. Exposition Digital Dialogue
Step Outline Due

- Workshop: Digital Dialogue Film Step

Outline
#12

- Non-traditional structures
- Workshop: Digital Dialogue Film Script
- Workshop: Digital Dialogue Film
Characters

#13

- Effective Second Act and Midpoint

- Review: Digital Dialogue Film Script

#14

- Twists

#15

- Writing for genres

Read: Story
Assignment 3:
- 16. Problems Digital Dialogue
and Solutions Film Script/
Revisions/Charac
ter Breakdowns
Due
Read: Story
Assignment 3:
- 17. Character Digital Dialogue
Film Script Due

Read: Story
Assignment 3:
- 18. The Text Final Film
- Workshop: Semester One Film Synopsis
Synopsis Due
- Workshop: Final Film Synopsis, Step
Outline and Character Breakdown.
- Pitching: Final Film Presentations

Read: Story
Assignment 4:
- 19. A Writers Final Film
Method
Deliverables Due
- Fade Out.

Exam Information

8.
Nil.

Expenses to Students

9.

Printing of script drafts for class and assignment work.

Textbook

10.

Story, Robert McKee 1999, Methuen Publishing. ISBN 978-0413715609

Suggested References

11.

Screenplay, Syd Field 2005, Delta. ISBN 978-0385339032

Writing Screenplays That Sell, Michael Hauge 2011, Collins Reference. ISBN 9780061791437

Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds, Michael Hauge 2006, Michael Wiese Productions. ISBN
978-1932907209

The Writers Journey, Christopher Vogler 2007, Michael Wiese Productions. ISBN 9781932907360

The Screenwriters Bible, David Trottier 2010, Silman-James Pr. ISBN 978-1935247029

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, Stephen King 2010, Scribner. ISBN 978-1439156810

Adventures in the Screen Trade, William Goldman 1996, Abacus. ISBN 978-0349107059

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12.

Important Course Information

New York Film Academy Australia Important Course Information - 2013

Attendance and
participation for
all students

Attendance is to be modelled on adult education and the standard of attendance

required by industry. It is expected that students will attend all class sessions
and contribute to class discussions. If you are unable to attend class please notify
the subject teacher.
If a student hasn't attended for more than three consecutive weeks, the student
needs to contact their trainer either by phone or email. Failure to do so may result
in the student being withdrawn from the subject.
Unless a medical certificate is presented to the teacher within 72 hours, to
support absence from assessments, presentations or role-plays, a Not Yet
Successful result will be recorded. Please note that public transport strikes will
only be accepted as a legitimate reason for absence if all forms of public transport
are not operating.

Attendance and
participation
for Domestic
Students

Attendance is analysed on a weekly basis by actual and projected attendance

over the term. Domestic students must attend 85% of the scheduled course
contact hours to achieve satisfactory attendance for the term. Students will be
sent a minimum of two warning letters when their projected attendance for the
term starts to fall at 80% and below.
Please refer to your NYFA Australia Student Handbook for additional information.

Attendance and
participation
for International
Students

It is a requirement of your international student visa granted under the Australian

Governments Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 that
International Students must attend at least 80% of classes.
NYFA Australia Management and staff will monitor international student
attendance in all of its courses ensuring that student attendance percentages are
maintained in an accurate manner and appropriate support and counseling is
provided.
Where an International Students attendance is identified as 90% or below and at
risk of falling below 80% in any study period, the Overseas Student Contact
Officer (OSCO) will seek to make an appointment with the International Student to
determine the reasons for the reported non-attendance and verify if any
compassionate or compelling reasons exist for the non-attendance. Following the
meeting a warning letter may be issued.
If continued non-attendance falls below 80% the student may be reported to
DIAC, which may result in the cancellation of their Visa. Student records of
attendance will be maintained on the students file and the NYFA Australias
student management system.

Submission of
assignments

The New York Film Academy Australia aims to ensure that its assessments are
valid, fair and reliable. In particular we aim to:

Spread the assessment workload over the semester, although there will
generally need to be an end of semester cluster of assessments.

Return marked assessments to students within two weeks of submission.

Provide constructive written feedback that students can use to improve their
performance in the unit.

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Late
assignments

As with industry standards it is the responsibility of the student to submit or attend

scheduled assessments on set times and dates. If the student is unable to attend
or submit an assessment item by its due date, the student must notify the teacher
accordingly to apply for an extension.
If a student submits their assessment activity after the assessment date, but
before the end of their current enrolment period for that particular
module/competency, the activity will be marked. There will be no re-submission
option for late assessments after the unit/ competency has reached its allocated
completion date unless the student has pre-approved with their trainer.
If a student submits the assessment after the unit/ module has finished, or
receives a not yet competent for a late submission, the student will need to reenrol into the required unit/module before the assessment can be marked. Reenrolment in the unit/ module may not be able to occur until the following term.
Previous assessment activities already marked as competent can be carried
forward and only those elements deemed not yet competent need to be resubmitted for assessment.

Resubmission
of assignments

When a student is not yet competent in an assessment piece they may be eligible
to resubmit an assignment or at a time organised by the trainer. There must be at
least an 85% class attendance or evidence of extenuating circumstances
(financial or medical) for this to be considered.

Course
progress
for International
Students

Course progress
NYFA Australia is committed to monitoring the course progress of all overseas
students. Where a student is falling behind in their studies and their recorded
assessment results are below competency (not yet competent), NYFA Australia
training staff will provide the required support to assist the student through to the
required competency.
In the case where a student may fall below 50% of the required competency score
in a study period (no shorter than 10 weeks) training staff will contact the
Overseas Contact Officer who will initiate the Course Progress Intervention
Strategy, which will include but not be limited to providing the overseas student
with the following:
-

Counseling concerning the appropriateness and suitability of courses

undertaken by the student.
Guidance and reference to the units of competency where Not Yet
Competents (NYCs) have been recorded.
Reduction in course load (refer to course load monitoring policy)
Additional English language support.
Knowledge and practical skills support from units of competency (UOC)
trainer/assessor.
Invitation for inclusion in supporting study groups or tutoring.
Assigning a trainer mentor for ongoing monitoring.
Information concerning the rescheduling of re-assessment events.
Information concerning the potential need to report the student to DIAC if
they maintain unsatisfactory course progress for two consecutive study
periods.
Written DIAC notice advice.
Complaints and appeals procedures.

Students requiring the Course Progress Intervention Strategy may wish to appeal
their assessment result.

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All due care is taken by NYFA Australia Training staff to support the student to the
place of competent completion of course units. However where a student records
competency scores below 50% in two consecutive study periods, NYFA Australia
management may commence enrolment cancellation procedures. Where a
student records competency scores below 50% in two consecutive study periods
NYFA Australia Management will notify the student in writing of their intention to
report their unsatisfactory course progress to DEEWR/DIAC. Students may
appeal the decision. (Refer to the NYFA Australia complaints and Appeals
Procedure)

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