DISC212-24S1 (C) Semester One 2024

Screenwriting: research and story development

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 19 February 2024
End Date: Sunday, 23 June 2024
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 3 March 2024
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 12 May 2024

Description

Students focus on the work of screening that takes place before the actual drafting of a script, including: initial concept or story idea, research, character exploration, dialogue, scene structure and plot development. Written work includes character profiles, plot outlines, a treatment and initial draft. An important feature of the course is feedback, whereby student’s critique and support each other’s projects. Finally, students will learn the essential elements of the screenplay format.

Learning Outcomes

  • Recognise what makes a successful short film.
  • Generate story ideas and characters suitable for short film projects.
  • Complete the research, development and drafting stages of screenwriting.
  • Apply methods for structuring scenes and writing dialogue.
  • Participate effectively in feedback sessions.
  • Apply the professional screenplay format.

Prerequisites

Timetable 2024

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Friday 11:00 - 13:00 Otakaro 236 L2 Lecture Theatre
19 Feb - 24 Mar
22 Apr - 2 Jun
Tutorial A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 11:00 - 12:00 Otakaro 201
19 Feb - 31 Mar
22 Apr - 2 Jun
02 Wednesday 13:00 - 14:00 Otakaro 201
19 Feb - 31 Mar
22 Apr - 2 Jun
03 Monday 10:00 - 11:00 Otakaro 201
19 Feb - 31 Mar
22 Apr - 2 Jun

Course Coordinator

Gillian Ashurst

Lecturers

Jani Wilson , John Chrisstoffels and Alan Wright

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Short Film Analysis 20 Mar 2024 15% 800 words
Story Generation 08 Apr 2024 15% 3-6 minute video pitch
Research & Development 06 May 2024 30% Written & Visual story treatment
Screenplay 31 May 2024 40% Original drama screenplay or similar story document

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $942.00

International fee $4,663.00

* 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 Humanities .

All DISC212 Occurrences

  • DISC212-24S1 (C) Semester One 2024