DISC333-25S2 (C) Semester Two 2025

Screen writing: revision and doctoring

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 14 July 2025
End Date: Sunday, 9 November 2025
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 27 July 2025
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 28 September 2025

Description

This is an advanced writing workshop in which students, first, learn how to evaluate an extant script for a producer or studio to option and, next, become familiar with the processes involved in restructuring and revising a screenplay in relation to market considerations (television, independent, tentpole, etc.). The aim is to enhance a previous written script by refining the story premise, characters and plot through successive revisions directed by producers (in this case, the instructor, guests from the industry and classmates). The final output will be a polished script that can be submitted to competitions, agents and producers for purchase or licensing.

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify strengths and weaknesses in existing scripts and evaluate their market potential.
  • Apply industry-standard rewriting techniques to strengthen premise, structure, and character development.
  • Understand different market demands (TV, independent cinema, commercial blockbusters) and tailor scripts accordingly.
  • Work collaboratively with peers and industry professionals on iterative revisions.
  • Develop a polished short screenplay suitable for submission or professional consideration.

Prerequisites

60 points from the Screenwriting major in the Bachelor of Digital Screen

Timetable 2025

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 14:00 - 15:00 Otakaro 146 L1 Lecture Theatre
14 Jul - 24 Aug
8 Sep - 19 Oct
Workshop A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 11:00 - 13:00 Otakaro 137
21 Jul - 24 Aug
8 Sep - 19 Oct

Lecturer

Glenn Watt Standring

Recommended Guru Books:
The following books are key texts used and referenced by film practitioners
• Syd Field, Screenplay
• Christopher Vogler, The Writer’s Journey
• Robert McKee, Story
• Blake Snyder, Save the Cat!
• John Truby, The Anatomy of Story
• Judith Weston, Directing Actors

Scripts: While not compulsory, it is advised you read the following classic scripts for your film education:
The Godfather, Coppola and Puzo Aliens, James Cameron (a sequel is a type of adaptation) Little Women, Greta Gerwig Breaking Bad, Season One pilot Game of Thrones, Season One Pilot The Handmaids Tale, Season One pilot

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Screenplay Analysis 04 Aug 2025 15% 1000-1200 words
Writing Coverage 08 Sep 2025 15% 1000-1200 words
Coverage of Student Drafts 29 Sep 2025 10% 1x1000 words
Workshop Attendance 10% Minimum 10 workshops
Polished Script 28 Oct 2025 50% 15-20 pages, minimum 15 minutes screen content

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $998.00

International fee $4,850.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Creative and Digital Arts .

All DISC333 Occurrences

  • DISC333-25S2 (C) Semester Two 2025